State Scratching For Lottery Money-Grab
Mecklenburg commissioners had already set aside $2 million in their budget as contingency for revenue that could have been lost back to the state. But that would still leave them nearly $7.5 million short, should the state’s money-grab prove successful.
“If this is indeed happening, it would have a huge impact on Mecklenburg County,” said Commissioners Chairman Jennifer Roberts, a Democrat. “We’ve just been through a very painful budget process, have had to cut a lot of very effective and important programs and services, and have lost some extremely valuable workers, and now we’re getting hit again. It’s very discouraging.”
Roberts said the formula being considered for how to allot the reduced lottery funds between counties, on a per-pupil basis, puts Mecklenburg at particular risk.
“Basically what they’re doing is giving us a disproportionate decrease,” she said. “It would have a disproportionate impact on our school system.”
Roberts said the county’s options are limited on where it could find money to plug the gap left by lost lottery revenue. One possibility, she said, would be to draw money from the county’s fund balance – essentially its rainy-day savings account – but that could prove problematic. The county has already tapped that account to balance previous budgets, and could jeopardize its Triple A bond rating if it did so again.
Another possibility, Roberts said, would be “to take it out of the budget we just approved, which could adversely impact schools, libraries, parks, other programs and services.”
“There aren’t any easy solutions,” Roberts said. “It’s extremely discouraging.”
James warned against raiding the county’s fund balance and said if more cuts need to be made to the budget, they should come from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ share.
“If they [state legislators] take money that’s designated for schools, then that’s where I think we should cut to make up the difference,” James said. “They’re making us look like a bunch of thugs who hate children, so they can look like saviors for teachers and education. It’s disgraceful.”
UPDATE: It now appears that Mecklenburg County is looking at a $4.1-million shortfall in lotto funds. The latest is here.
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