Legislative Report: Odds Beat Lottery [AUDIO]

Wyoming lawmakers struck down a bill proposing the sale of multi-state lottery tickets. Amy Richards has the details in Wednesday's Legislative Report.

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The Wyoming House killed House Bill 186, the lottery bill on a 27 -33 vote. During floor debate, the bill's, sponsor, Cheyenne Rep. Dave Zwonitzer, said the lottery would be a revenue generator and many of his constituents were in favor of it.

Rep. Dave Zwonitzer, yes lottery:

"And ladies and gentlemen, this is not a morals issue bill; this is just a good, economic sense bill. That's all it is, a lot of money going out of the states, a lot of money leaving the state. We have the potential of bringing a lot of money into the state, from people from other states. That's what this bill is about."

Laramie County Rep. John Ecklund said he doesn't believe the lottery is something his community wanted.

Rep. John Ecklund, no lottery:

"My district's wedged in between two states that have that, so all of us are pretty close to the state line and we can go get one. I don't know of anyone who does it. I don't think in my own community it would be a favored deal if we ran it to a vote or a referendum."

A bill that would allow local governments to participate in energy improvement programs received initial approval in the House today. (Wednesday) The bill's sponsor Rep. Ruth Ann Petroff explains.

Rep. Ruth Ann Petroff, energy bill:

"This bill allows municipalities and counties to participate in energy improvement programs that currently in the Constitution might be considered to be a private gain, rather than a public gain."

Petroff says the bill will also allows residents to benefit from energy improvement programs as well.

Rep. Petroff, loans to homeowners:

"The second part of the bill allows the same counties and municipalities to either loan money or facilitate the loaning of money to these homeowners to do energy improvements and then have the money paid back on their property tax assessments, much the way we do special improvement districts today."

A bill that would set up a Vietnam and veterans welcome home and thank you day passed the House. Rep. Alan Jaggi explains House Bill 177.

Rep. Alan Jaggi, vets day:

"The country was in turmoil when the vets came back, and they just didn't know whether to show up in their uniforms or just remain anonymous, and I just feel bad about that, with all the recognition we're giving vets coming home, and very deservedly so. We just left this group out."

The Senate passed a bill on second reading that would close some loopholes in the state's ignition interlock program. Sen. Drew Perkins explains.

Sen. Drew Perkins, loopholes:

"There was confusion in the language because of the way, for particularly first offenses with .15 or greater, that the conviction had to based upon that. That what was in existing language. What was happening was, typically juries come back and would have a verdict of guilty or not guilty, and they don't say whether or not there was a .15 in there without a special question to the jury. That usually doesn't happen."

Senate File 104, sponsored by Casper Sen. Bill Landen, died on committee of the whole today. The bill would have required teens to receive meningitis vaccinations.

With the Legislative Report, I'm Amy Richards for K2 Radio News.