the governor fires most of the lottery commission

Governor Jay Nixon announced the Missouri Lottery’s operations need to focus more funding toward education. This comes after a review from the Office of Adminstration. Nixon also wants to see improvements in several other areas to help fund public education.

Over the past 10 years the total operating revenue for the Missouri Lottery has increased by approximately $300 million from almost $786 million in FY 2005 to more than $1 billion in FY 2014. Over the same period of time the Missouri Lottery operation costs rose by about $260 million.

According to Article III of the Missouri Constitution, money left over after prizes and administrative costs are paid goes toward public institutions of elementary, secondary, and higher education.

While the payments toward education have increased over the past decade by an average of 2.5% per year, the funds transferred in FY 2014 are expected to drop by almost $21 million even though revenue is predicted to continue increasing.