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Lottery Could Net More Than Expected

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee lottery could make at least $70 million more than what is needed to fund college scholarships this year, and Gov. Phil Bredesen wants to budget most of the extra for prekindergarten programs.

Chief lottery sponsor Sen. Steve Cohen estimates the lottery will have $70 million to $100 million left over after paying for college scholarships this year. He and Bredesen agreed this week to support giving 80 percent of that to prekindergarten programs and 20 percent to after-school programs.

"That makes sense as a target," Bredesen said Friday, adding that he will include the proposal in the budget he presents to lawmakers Feb. 2.

Cohen did caution against spending all of the leftover funds, saying the amount available for scholarships in later years could change as more students qualify and lottery sales level off.

Copyright © Las Vegas Sun. Inc. Republished with permission.

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