Assembly Education Committee Approves Mullin Mega Millions Bill

The Assembly Committee on Education approved a bill that would direct Mega Millions lottery revenue to California public schools populated by the state’s neediest students.

Assembly Bill 1782, authored by Assemblymember Gene Mullin (D-South San Francisco), passed out of the committee on a 6-1 vote. The bill authorizes a ballot measure enabling the California State Lottery Commission to enter a multi-state lottery agreement and ensures that Mega Millions education revenues are distributed to public schools on a weighted, per-pupil formula. The revenue formula would channel funds to K-12 school districts depending on the ratio of pupils who fall into any of the following three categories: special education students, English Language Learners, and students who receive free or reduced-cost meals. The bill also provides a “backfill” clause to guarantee that public community colleges in California continue to receive state lottery funds at the same level as the 2004-05 academic year.

The California Federation of Teachers (CFT) is actively supporting Mullin’s bill, while the California Teachers Association (CTA) is opposing the legislation.

“AB 1782 fulfills a very important policy goal of the state,” CFT Legislative Representative Mike Weimer said in addressing the committee. “I don’t think there’s a legislator in this room who would tell you that there aren’t students in this state who have special needs that deserve to be addressed.”

The bill now moves to the Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization, where it will be heard later this month.

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