Westmoreland Review

Governor Josh Shapiro's recent budget proposal has sparked discussions about the allocation of lottery funds in Pennsylvania. The state is unique in its dedication of lottery revenue exclusively to senior support programs. Since its inception, the Pennsylvania Lottery has contributed over $36 billion to such initiatives.

In 2023-24, the distribution of lottery revenue was as follows: 67% went to winners, 8% to retailers, and 2% covered administrative costs. The remaining 23% funded senior assistance programs like Property Tax and Rent Rebate, transit services, pharmaceutical assistance (PACE and PACENET), long-term living services, county Area Agency on Aging offices, and senior centers.

The Pennsylvania Lottery began in 1971 with Act 91. Initially offering a single game with weekly drawings for a $50,000 prize, it expanded over time to include multiple games and introduced Powerball in 2002. In Westmoreland County alone, nearly $35 million was allocated to seniors during the last fiscal year.

However, officials predict a decline in revenue from $1.94 billion in 2023-24 to $1.67 billion by 2025-26 due to decreasing popularity of scratch-off games and variability in draw game jackpots.

To address this shortfall, suggestions include adjusting the net profit return requirement temporarily lowered by Act 97 of 2019 from traditional game sales or legalizing electronic skill games for taxation purposes.

These proposals are part of Governor Shapiro's budget plan which could deplete reserve funds if passed unchanged. Representative Jill Cooper emphasized responsible spending alongside exploring new revenue sources.

Additionally, Representative Cooper invites constituents to an open house on March 20 at her Murrysville office and encourages reporting potholes via PennDOT’s hotline or website. She also highlights PA 211's role in connecting residents with essential resources across Pennsylvania.