THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY CAUSER, HENNESSEY, BAKER, CLYMER, COHEN, D. COSTA, CREIGHTON, DALEY, DAY, DeLUCA, DENLINGER, J. EVANS, EVERETT, FLECK, GABLER, GEIST, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GRELL, GROVE, HARRIS, HESS, HICKERNELL, HUTCHINSON, M.K. KELLER, KILLION, MAJOR, MARSICO, MILLARD, MILLER, MILNE, MOUL, MURT, OBERLANDER, O'NEILL, PEIFER, PICKETT, PYLE, RAPP, REICHLEY, ROAE, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, K. SMITH, SONNEY, STERN, TALLMAN, VULAKOVICH AND WATSON, MARCH 2, 2011

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGING AND OLDER ADULT SERVICES, MARCH 2, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to

conduct a study of the Pennsylvania Lottery relating to its

ability to continue to support programs and services for

older Pennsylvanians.

WHEREAS, When the General Assembly enacted the State Lottery

Law in August 1971, the Commonwealth became the fifth state to

authorize the operation of a lottery; and

WHEREAS, Although 46 jurisdictions currently have legal

lotteries, the Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only program

that earmarks lottery profits solely for programs and services

for older residents; and

WHEREAS, This Commonwealth has one of the oldest populations

in the United States, with statistics indicating that one out of

every five people is 60 years of age or older; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Pennsylvania Lottery has

provided more than $20.1 billion to allow older citizens to

benefit from a variety of programs and services, including low-

cost prescription drugs, property tax and rent rebates, low-cost

senior transportation programs, long-term care services

administered by the Department of Public Welfare and home and

community-based services made available through local area

agencies on aging and senior community centers throughout this

Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, According to Pennsylvania Lottery reports, in fiscal

year 2009-2010, the lottery had sales of more than $3.06 billion

and contributions to programs for older Pennsylvanians totaled

more than $915 million; and

WHEREAS, Since the introduction of casino gambling in this

Commonwealth, a lingering concern has existed regarding the

impact of legalized slot machines and table games on lottery

sales; and

WHEREAS, State Lottery Fund revenues have increasingly been

drawn upon to meet certain General Fund obligations, as well as

to expedite property tax relief for some residents of this

Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Recent economic trends raise serious questions

regarding the future ability of the State Lottery Fund to meet

the increasing demand for services for older Pennsylvanians; and

WHEREAS, The last comprehensive review of State Lottery

funding of programs and services for older Pennsylvanians was

conducted as mandated under the former Lottery Fund Preservation

Act and resulted in a June 1994 report issued by the Legislative

Budget and Finance Committee; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the

Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study of

the Pennsylvania Lottery relating to its ability to continue to

support programs and services for older Pennsylvanians; and be

it further

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

identify all programs, services and functions funded through the

State Lottery Fund and determine their costs and services or

activity levels; examine all State Lottery Fund programs,

services and functions and analyze projections of future program

demand, service levels and associated costs; determine the

current and projected financial condition of the State Lottery

Fund; analyze Pennsylvania Lottery sales, including both short-

term and long-term projections of net collections, to determine

if State Lottery Fund revenues will be sufficient to support

lottery-funded programs, services and functions at existing or

expanded levels or, if cutbacks or program changes will be

necessary, to maintain the solvency of the State Lottery Fund;

and determine if changes to law, regulation or policy are needed

to maintain the future solvency of the State Lottery Fund; and

be it further

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

prepare a report of its findings and transmit copies of the

report to the Aging and Older Adult Services Committee and the

Finance Committee of the House of Representatives no later than

six months after adoption of this resolution.