The Florida Lottery Announces $22 Billion in Contributions to Education
Lottery Communications (850) 487-7727
The Florida Lottery Announces $22 Billion in Contributions to Education
Tallahassee – The Florida Lottery today announced a new milestone of $22 billion in contributions to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF). For the past 23 years, the Lottery has remained a dependable contributor to Florida’s education system. In fiscal year 2009-10, the Lottery’s monthly transfers to the EETF totaled $1.247 billion, marking the eighth consecutive fiscal year of contributions of more than $1 billion. The agency’s latest monthly transfer brings the life-to-date total to more than $22 billion.“We are proud of this accomplishment and what it means for Florida’s students and schools. Recognized as one of the most efficient lotteries in the nation, the Florida Lottery has remained a strong partner in helping generate additional funds for public education.” said Florida Lottery Secretary Cynthia O’Connell. “Under Governor Rick Scott’s leadership, the Lottery will continue to focus on maximizing revenues for education while providing quality entertainment to our players, without whom this success could not have been possible.”
Lottery funding has contributed to K-12 programs in Florida’s 67 school districts, community colleges and state universities, the Bright Futures Scholarship Program, other state student financial aid, and the construction and maintenance of public schools through the Classrooms First and Classrooms for Kids programs. To date, more than 500,000 Bright Futures scholarships have been awarded statewide, making it possible for many of Florida’s future leaders to enroll in state universities, community colleges and workforce education programs of their choice.
Though Lottery contributions represent approximately six percent of the state's total education budget, the agency’s contributions continue to make an impact with more than $1 billion being transferred annually to the EETF for the past eight consecutive fiscal years. The Lottery’s success is directly tied to agency efforts to create new and innovative Lottery products designed to drive sales and increase contributions to education.
Florida voters, by a two-to-one margin, approved a constitutional amendment in 1986 authorizing the state to operate a lottery for the purpose of generating significant additional moneys for education. Today, Floridians continue to show their support by purchasing nearly $4 billion in Lottery products per year, with profits from every purchase benefiting education in the state. For more information regarding the Florida Lottery and its contributions to education, visit www.flalottery.com.
When you play, we all win. "$22 Billion for Florida's Students"
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