Texas Senate Bill SB171

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 11/12/24

Caption

Relating to the creation of a lottery game to benefit the child-care services program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Impact

If enacted, this bill will amend Chapter 466 of the Government Code, adding a new section that mandates the Texas Lottery Commission to create and facilitate the instant-ticket game. The proceeds from this lottery game will be directed to the general revenue fund, explicitly earmarked for the appropriation to fund the child-care services program. This earmarking represents a significant legal modification as it establishes a direct financial connection between lottery revenues and child-care funding, potentially increasing the resources available for this critical area.

Summary

SB171 proposes the establishment of an instant-ticket lottery game specifically designed to benefit the child-care services program under the Texas Workforce Commission. This bill aims to create a sustainable funding source for child-care services, focusing on the increasing need for quality child care in Texas. The Texas Lottery Commission will be responsible for the operation, marketing, and distribution of the lottery tickets, with the intention of maximizing public awareness of the game's purpose which is to aid child-care funding through lottery proceeds.

Contention

Notably, the introduction of a state-sanctioned lottery game to fund child-care services may spark discussions around ethical considerations related to gambling and public funding strategies. Proponents may argue that the bill offers an innovative approach to securing necessary funds for child care, especially in light of budgetary constraints, while critics may voice concerns about relying on lottery revenues, which can be perceived as a regressive form of taxation disproportionately impacting lower-income families. Therefore, the bill's implications stretch beyond financial considerations and invite broader discussions on social equity and responsible funding for public services.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Government Code

• Chapter 466. State Lottery
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: 355