The Oklahoma Lottery Commission is expected to deliver its first payment to the state treasury this month. The amount will represent the state's cut from the games in the last quarter of 2005. All indications are it will be lower than expected.
Much of the excitement over the early "Scratch-off" and "Pick Three" games seems to have fallen. The inclusion this week of the "Powerball" sweepstakes should help ratchet up interest in the lottery. Oklahoma became the 28th state, in addition to the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, to participate.
Few people were standing in line Thursday morning when sales of Powerball tickets opened. That might happen tonight, if trends in other states continue. Sales usually peak a few hours before the cut-off. The drawing this weekend will take place 9:59 tonight at the International Finals Rodeo at State Fair Park.
Our predictions are the Powerball will be a big hit once the first Oklahoman wins. The odds of that happening are slim but still we'd love to see one of our neighbors win. When that happens, the lines at the checkout counters will form early and often.
Editorials
Powerball needs a local winner
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Say no to power expansion
A heated House committee meeting last week ended in a 6-5 vote to send a bill to the floor that gives the governor power to remove and replace appointees to state agencies, boards or commissions....
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Focus should be on water policy legislation
Oklahoma legislative leaders are pushing ahead on water policy legislation, despite the water rights lawsuit filed by American Indian tribes. We applaud Speaker Kris Steele on pushing the water proposals filed by House members....
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Trooper replacements needed for state’s OHP
Oklahoma’s Highway Patrol has 759 troopers, with 210 eligible to retire and another 26 becoming eligible this year. They certainly won’t all choose to retire at once, but the possibility worries patrol officials. Troop strength is the ...
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A reprieve for state bases
The Pentagon has released its plans to downsize its forces and eliminate some weapons systems funding, ships and airplanes. But a published report says the state’s five military bases will likely be spared major cuts....
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Show them some love
Oklahoma joins bus drivers and riders throughout the nation in the “Love the Bus” campaign to raise awareness and appreciation for the thousands of school bus drivers and aides who safely transport children to and from school each day....
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Cuts in mental health short-sighted at best
When state budgets tightened up three legislative sessions ago, mental health and substance abuse treatment appropriations amounted to low-hanging fruit. It was easy for lawmakers to reduce treatment for mental health consumers and ...
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‘Flavor of the month’
State Republicans have invited all of the GOP presidential candidates to Oklahoma. Former candidate Herman Cain came to Oklahoma City in early December, just days after he suspended his campaign. Rick Santorum brought his charged-up ...
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Gov. Fallin says tax cuts bring national attention
Rating agencies are often courted by state, county and local officials seeking better ratings and thus lower interest costs on long-term debt financed through bonds. Oklahoma’s governor and other officials called on various agencies this ...
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AA’s decision a blow to Tulsa
The announcement by American Airlines that it will likely lay off almost a third of its Tulsa work force is terrible news. Looking for the bright side, the huge Tulsa maintenance facility will keep almost 70 percent of its employees ...
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Oklahoma kids rank low
Oklahoma kids continue to rank low in terms of poverty, health, child welfare, early childhood development and hunger....
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Say no to power expansion
