JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri House members have endorsed a proposal to create a new lottery ticket to help veterans.
Revenues from the Missouri Lottery currently are directed to education. Under the measure approved Tuesday, proceeds from the new ticket would go to the Veterans Commission capital improvement fund. The proposal needs another vote before moving to the Senate and would require voter approval.
The Veterans Commission runs nursing homes and serves more than 1,300 people. Its trust fund shrunk in recent years because it was tapped to make up for declining general revenue appropriations. Lawmakers last year approved a dedicated funding source.
Opponents of the new lottery ticket raised concerns that it would cut funding for education. The measure's sponsor says that hasn't been the case in other states.
