Virginia Lottery; interception of lottery prizes. (SB192)

Introduced By

Sen. Mark Peake (R-Lynchburg)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Virginia Lottery; interception of lottery prizes. Requires that if the winner of a Virginia Lottery prize of $25,000 or greater has received cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program in the immediately preceding five years, the Department of Social Services shall be credited the amount of such assistance from the prize. The Department of Social Services shall use any such credited funds for programs aimed at assisting low-income Virginians in their efforts to become self-sufficient. The bill authorizes the Director of the Virginia Lottery to adopt rules or regulations to implement the provisions of the bill. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
12/29/2017Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/18 18100118D
12/29/2017Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
01/15/2018Impact statement from DPB (SB192)
01/15/2018Reported from General Laws and Technology (9-Y 5-N) (see vote tally)
01/15/2018Rereferred to Finance
01/18/2018Impact statement from DPB (SB192)
01/23/2018Reported from Finance (12-Y 3-N) (see vote tally)
01/24/2018Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
01/25/2018Read second time and engrossed
01/26/2018Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 18-N) (see vote tally)
01/26/2018Reconsideration of passage agreed to by Senate (37-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
01/26/2018Passed by for the day
01/29/2018Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N) (see vote tally)
01/31/2018Placed on Calendar
01/31/2018Read first time
01/31/2018Referred to Committee on General Laws
02/19/2018Assigned GL sub: Subcommittee #3
02/20/2018Subcommittee failed to recommend reporting (4-Y 4-N)
03/06/2018Left in General Laws

Video

This bill was discussed on the floor of the General Assembly. Below is all of the video that we have of that discussion, 1 clip in all, totaling 25 minutes.

Comments

Tina Winkler writes:

Senator Peake,

I am shocked and appalled that you would create this bill. Targeting low income folks for winning the lottery? How do you know that the person actually bought the ticket themselves? Maybe they got the ticket for a birthday or Christmas gift. You would take that away from them? In addition, the winnings could go to pay off their debts, help with putting a down payment on a home or provide for their family. The inference here is that low income folks are scammers and don't deserve their winnings. Shame on you sir.

Corporate welfare is OK for your party, why not give low income folks their lottery winning?

Sincerely,

Tina Winkler

Rudy Garcia writes:

Mark,
Maybe you could explain to us your thought process on this? On its surface it appears to be quite inflammatory, and directed against those who are the most vulnerable in our population. How much money would the state recoup from any one individual? Is it fair to target people who have fallen on hard times? Please take the time to explain the rationale behind this. Sincerely, Rudy

Rob Waters writes:

This is a complete piece of garbage, meant to yet again punish poor people for being poor... even in a moment where their luck has improved.

If we're going to go after those in need and steal their lottery winnings to pay back the past 5 years of TANF payments, then how about going after Dominion and other investors in the General Assembly and getting them to pay back the state and the taxpayers for the baseless rate hikes and environmental issues they've weaseled out of thanks to legislators?

Gregory Bruno writes:

While this bill just reeks of yet another shot fired in the "war on the poor," it could be made more acceptable if the amount withheld was limited to less than 50% of the NET proceeds. By potentially taking all of the winnings, this bill would prevent a person from a rare opportunity to dig out of their unfortunate circumstances.