Posted: | January 9, 2015 01:45 PM |
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From: | Senator Jay Costa |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Lottery Privatization Oversight |
Please join me in co-sponsoring legislation introduced as Senate Bill 471 in the 2013-2014 legislative session. The bill was co-sponsored by Senators Brewster, Kasunic, Stack, Yudichak, Smith, Washington, Fontana, Solobay, Hughes, Ferlo, Blake, Tartaglione, Farnese, Schwank, and Boscola. The intent of this legislation is not to prevent a private management option. It does, however, provide openness, accountability and scrutiny to the process. The plan seeks to create guarantees so that the operations and programs of the lottery do not ever become victimized by private, for-profit motives. This proposal is based on a similar initiative in Illinois. The legislation establishes the following guidelines for any private management contract with the lottery:
The language stipulates rigorous conflict of interest disclosure provisions including all financial relationships and establishes open disclosure windows before and after the contract is awarded. The legislation requires the Department of Revenue to select at least two candidates as finalists. A detailed public hearing schedule is outlined as a part of the selection process and identification of the finalists is assured. The Governor may accept or reject the department’s recommendation. The reason for the selection must be explained publicly. The private manager is subject to a complete investigation in the 3rd and 5th years. Revenue must also submit quarterly reports to the General Assembly on the actions of the private manager. This legislation ensures that valuable programs that have served seniors and the disabled for generations are not threatened. The plan places important controls into the process and makes certain that programs are not jeopardized, workers threatened, and guarantees proper oversight. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. |