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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 29, 1998)
Wednesday •April! Lottery Commission makes bad bet AUSTIN (AP) — Lottery officials told them it would not work. But Texas legislators cut overall prizes last year as a way to increase the state’s share of revenue from the numbers games. It has not worked. Lottery sales have been slower since the prize cuts took effect Sept. 1, 1997. The state now expects to net more than $328 million less than an ticipated in the current budget. Noting the potential shortfall, Sen. Ken Armbrister, D-Victoria, onThesday said lawmakers should consider re turning prizes to where they were — about 57 cents of every dollar in sales— or allow the Lottery Commission to de termine how to best maximize profits. “It was a bet trying to get us to the same place,” Armbrister said of the prize-cut decision. “We didn’t have that expertise and now it is costing us, it seems.” Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, D- Austin, agreed. “I think we made sev eral mistakes,” he said. “One would have to be oblivious to reality if one didn’t think the cutting of prizes did n’t affect (sales). “The bottom line is that we have to bring in some revenue to the state and be fair and generous to the people who participate in our lottery,” he said. Barrientos said he likely would sup port returning prizes to the 57-cents per $ 1 level if the lottery could prove its sales would rebound as a result. Before doing it, state officials ac knowledged that cutting prizes to about 53 cents per $1 in sales would drive some players away. But they said enough players would remain loyal and the extra money from the prize cut would off set any loss of players. That has not been the case. Texans have told the lottery that they have either stopped playing or re duced the money they are spending in part because prizes were cut. Executive Director Linda Cloud showed lawmakers the difference the cut made to just one game, the lottery’s Valentine’s Day instant game. In 1997, before prizes were cut, the game peaked at more than $5 million in sales. Prizes for the game at the time amounted to about 60 cents on the $ 1. This year, with prizes at 50 cents per $1, the game peaked at less than $3 million in sales. That was lower than the starting sales of the game in 1997. While the prize cut was a major contributor to the drop, Cloud said other factors included negative pub licity because of lottery controversies unrelated to the games, the age of the lottery, a cut in advertising and a na tionwide decrease in lottery sales. She added, though, that returning the prize payout to its original level could solve much of the problem. Cloud said Georgia also cut its prizes last year, saw sales drop and raised prizes back up. While sales rose after prizes were returned to their orig inal level, they did not return to pre cut figures, she said. Driving me crazy y r ■ r JAMES FRANCO Clint Willis, a sophomore construction science major, waits for a parking spot in BlueLotSbj side Zachry Building Tuesday afternoon. What's Up Wednesday ATM Womens Rugby: Come join! No experience needed. Practices are from 5 to 7 p.m. at the pitch on the corner of Texas Ave. and Uni versity Dr. Call Nikki at 694-0084 for information. Catholic Students Association: Hot Topics” discussion session from 6 to 7 p.m. in St. Mary’s Student Center Library, followed by Newman Mass at 7:15 and a Bible study in Rud der Tower. Study Abroad Programs Office: There will be a meeting from 11 to 11:30 a.m. in 154,161 Bizzell Hall West. The meeting will promote the Italy Spring ’99 program. Episcopal Student Center: There will be a celebration of holy eucharist followed by free dinner at 6:15 p.m. at 902 George Bush. Call Father Mark at 696-0774 for details. Texas Aggie Brew Club: There will be more of the same at 7:30 p.m. at On the Border. Call Joseph for more details at 696-7375. Pre-Dental Society: We will have our annual banquet at El Arroyo at 7 p.m. Dr. Birdwell will be the speaker for the evening. You can sign up and pay at the OPSA office by Monday. Call Shannon at 696- 2922 for details. Thursday Graduate Fellowship of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF): Bible study for graduate and non-tradi- tional students, followed by fellow ship will be held at 7:30 p.m. See our Web site for location and map at http://stat.tamu.edu~inlow/ivcf.html. Call Mark or Jennifer at 764-1552. What’s Up is a Battalioiw lists non-profit studentjt| events and activities, be submitted no later I days in advance of thei date. Application dead!r«l tices are not events and <| run in What’s Up. lfyo«5 questions, please call the;? at 845-3313. MARIACHI’S m e x i c a n restaurant Daily Luncheon Specials starting at $ 3.95 Shrimp Cozumel - $ 9.99 • Tuesdays • Fajitas for Two $ 9.99 (beef or chicken) Open 7 Days a Week Sun - Thurs 7am-9pm Fri - Sat Tam - 10pm 1315 S. College, Bryan 779-9052 • 822-0195 P/ZZfl Cf)LZG(V£S SC/AS SALADS LdLLVAS A (tf()R£ $5 minimum delivery Happy Hour ; $3.00 Pitchers 4pm-9pm Mon. - Fri. M-yTK Bar & Chill ' A OPEN LATE 7 DAYS A WEEK FAST - FREE - DELIVERY 76GUMBY (764-8629) COLLEGE STATION Limited Delivery Area A££R (ULUAPDS TO. DINING DARTS & GAM£S Gc/mrcomD 90.99 LARGE 14” 1-TOPPING Pizza & Your choice of either 6 pepperoni rolls, large Pokey stix or 10 Hot Wings taxes not included • limited time offer 99 AGNUS AUYS With Regular Purchase 10” Pokey Stix $2.99 12” Pokey Stix $3.49 14” Pokey Stix $4.49 12” Cheese Pizza $3.49 6” Cold Sub $2.99 4 Pepperoni Rolls $3.46 10 Wings $3.46 BIG ASS GUMBY MASSIVE (20”) CHEESE PIZZA J J + tax TOPPINGS $ 1.80 NO LIMIT “BIGGEST PIZZA IN THE COUNTY” __t_axes not included^* limited time offer DR/0£ THRU SP£G(AL 2.99 taxes not included • limited time offer MEDIUM £ CHEESE PIZZA 500 per topping - Drive Thru or Dine-in Only, taxes not included • limited time offer MSC LT. Jordan Institute for International Awareness South American Indians in the Modern World: J i. % ■ &:<i| mm?: ||||!£S2; Destruction or Development? Dr. Richard K. Reed Professor of Sociology and Anthropology Trinity University We d n e s day April 29th, 1998 7 pm - MSC 225 A For more information, or to inform us of your needs, call 845-8770 www.collegestudent.com Free Classifieds Online Personals Course Evaluations Housing Finder Roommate Search And More... Stop by and check out our site. Our online magazine Shag Mag is offering $50 for the best article submission of the week. It’s the students’ best resource! IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! Fall Open House is Sunday, September 6 from 2 to 6 p.m. Tables are noxv on sale! Don’t miss out! It’s simple! Just go to the MSC Box Office in Rudder Tower and pay $30 for your recognized student organization. We take cash, check, aggie bucks, credit cards, or departmental accounts (you’ll need an IDT). euut . . . Space is limited! Remember, Open House tables are limited, and are awarded on a first come, first served basis! Only one table per organization. Please come and join us! Any questions? If so call the Relations Office at 845-7627. Sponsored By: MSC RELATIONS TEAM - 7K7>nH...so eoov! A Persons -with disabilities please call 845-1515 to inform us of your special needs. We request notification three (3) -working days prior to the event to enable us to assist you to the best of our abilities, 9 Out of lO Kaplan students get into one of their top-choice law schools.’ Competition for law school is tough, and your LSAT score can make all the difference. That’s why you need to take Kaplan. For 60 years, we’ve helped more students get into law school than all other test prep companies combined. That’s why we’re the ffl choice for LSAT prep. LAST CHANCE To Prepare for the JUNE Exam! 1 -800-KAP-TEST www.kaplan.com *LSAT is a registered trademark of the Law School Admission Council. 11908 Bruskin-Qoldring Research Study of students at the top 50 law schools. Call or check out our web site to study anywhere in the U.S. Need birth control? Think you have an infection? Time for your Pap smear? No time? No insurance and little money? PLAN ON US. Professional- Confidential, Affordable. 4001 E. 29th, Suite103 Bryan Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas, Inc. 409/846-171 Express your creativity . . . * Design the 1998 AH Fish Camp T-Shirt! The theme is "Dreams BecomingRf® We need your help in designing the Fish Camp 1 of 2002 & Staff T-shirt! Please submit all <W designs or ideas to the Fish Camp office W the Koldus Building. We need your ideas ass* possible. Prizes will be awarded. For more call the office @ 845-1627. The theme is "Dreams Becoming Realities" ^Battalion Tiffany Inbody, Editor in Chief Helen Clancy, Copy Chief Brad Graeber, Visual Arts Editor Robert Smith, City Editor Jeremy Furtick, Sports Editor Jeff Webb, Sports Editor James Francis, Aggielife Editor Mandy Cater, Opinion Editor Ryan Rogers, Photo Editor Chris Huffines, Radio Producer Sarah Goldston, Radio Produce 1 Dusty Moer, Web Editor Aaron Meier, Night News Editor Staff Members City- Amanda Smith, Stacey Becks, Susan Atchison, Kelly Hackworth, Suzanne Riggs, Lyndsay Nantz, Jennifer Wilson & Katy Lineberger Science - Jill Reed. Sports - Assistant Editor: Jeff Schmidt; Michael Ferguson, Chris Ferrell, Travis Harsch, Robert Hollier, Al Lazarus, Colby Martin, Aaron Meier, Katie Mish, Philip Peter & Michael Taglienti. Aggielife - Marium Mohiuddin, Rhonda Reinhart, Chris Martin, Leah Templeton, Travis Hopper, April Towery, Travis Irby & Stephen Wells. Opinion - Len Calloway, Adam Collett, John Lemons, Donny Ferguson, Caleb McDaniel, Beverly Mireles, Manisha Parekh, Stewart Patton, Mickey Saloma, Joe Schumacher, Michelle Voss, Frank Night News - Joyce Bauer, Jaclynn Batkei.M- & Shane Elkins. Photo - Assistant Editor: Brandon BollonrS* McKay, Greg McReynolds, Cory Willis,Mike Fuentes, James Francis & Jake Schlidding. Graphics - James Palmer, Chad Mallamjai® Faulkner & J.P. Beato. Cartoonists - Ed Goodwin, John Lemons,DaK Hoffman, Gabriel Ruenes, Victor VanscoitJ'* Nordfelt and Quatro Oakley. Copy Editors - Leslie Stebbins, Jennifer Joad David Johnston, Martha Gidney, PatrickPai® ! Veronica Serrano. Radio - Andrew Baley, Jody Rae Sartin, Lai'* Stuart & Karina Trevino. Web - Anita Tong & Jeremy Brown Stanford & Jennifer Jones. News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in the Division of Student PubfatiMi i f:: Department of Journalism. News offices are in 013 Reed McDonald Building. 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