FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: David Workman
June 28, 2006
IDAHO LOTTERY ANNOUNCES RECORD BREAKING DIVIDEND OF $33 MILLION
Boise – This morning the Idaho Lottery Commission presented a $33 million dividend check to the People of Idaho. The Fiscal Year 2006 dividend is the third consecutive record-breaking year for the Idaho Lottery, topping last year’s mark of $26 million by 27 percent. Half of the dividend is dedicated to Idaho’s Public Education and the other half goes directly to Idaho’s Permanent Building Fund.
“Education is the cornerstone of Idaho’s future. Ensuring our children’s educational needs by providing safe and productive learning environments is the best dividend we can provide,” said Idaho Lottery Commission Chairman Roger Jones during the ceremony held this morning at Cynthia Mann Elementary School.
For Fiscal Year 2006, the Idaho Lottery garnered an estimated $131 million in total sales, also a new record eclipsing last year’s mark of $113 million by 16 percent.
After accepting the oversized dividend check from Idaho Lottery Director Roger Simmons, Chairman Jones presented a check for $16.5 million to Dr. Marilyn Howard, Superintendent of Public Instruction. “Every school district in Idaho will benefit from these funds,” said Dr. Howard. “This gives local school boards additional flexibility in deciding how to meet their district maintenance and building needs.”
Chairman Jones also presented Laird Stone, President of the Idaho State Board of Education, with a check for $16.5 million. Stone accepted on behalf of Idaho’s Permanent Public Building Fund.
The Idaho Lottery began on July 19, 1989 and has proven successful in fulfilling its mission over the past 17 years. “With this year’s outstanding dividend, the Idaho Lottery has returned $333 million to the people of Idaho – one-third of a billion dollars for the betterment of public education and buildings,” announced Roger Simmons, Idaho Lottery Director.
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