It doesn’t have a hearing scheduled yet, but there is a bill to allow lotteries in Hawaii.
It was introduced last Friday by Joe Souki, the speaker of the House of Representatives, who said recently that a lottery for the state is a distinct possibility.
House Bill 1830 authorizes the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to license a single operator for a lottery, including keno.
enhancing their opportunity for educational advancement;
relieving or protecting them from disease, suffering, or distress;
contributing to their physical well-being;
assisting them in establishing themselves in life as worthy and useful citizens;
providing them with opportunities to contribute to the betterment of the community; or
increasing their comprehension of and devotion to the principles upon which this nation was founded.
The revenue, meanwhile, could be used for these purposes:
initiating, performing, or fostering worthy public works or enabling or furthering the erection or maintenance of public structures;
lessening the burdens borne by government or voluntarily supporting, augmenting, or supplementing services that government would normally render to the people; or
providing tax relief for the community.
It’s a very detailed proposal, suggesting that the idea has support.
The bill’s backers include Vice Speaker John Mizuno and Finance Chair Sylvia Luke.
Mizuno said Sen. Will Espero plans to introduce a similar measure on the other side of the Capitol
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Chad Blair is the Politics and Opinion Editor for Civil Beat. You can reach him by email at cblair@civilbeat.org or follow him on Twitter at @chadblairCB.