Oklahoma Senate approves lottery bill

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Oklahoma Senate approved a bill Wednesday that would ask voters to decide if the state should establish a statewide lottery to help fund public education. <br><br>The Senate

Wednesday, March 26th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Oklahoma Senate approved a bill Wednesday that would ask voters to decide if the state should establish a statewide lottery to help fund public education.

The Senate approved the House-passed measure, 26-19, but amended the bill, so it will have to be voted on again by the House before it is sent to Gov. Brad Henry, who has been the chief proponent for creating a lottery.

Henry says a lottery could provide an additional $300 million a year in funding to financially strapped schools. Opponents dispute this figure.

Polls have shown the lottery popular with most Oklahomans, although it has been passionately fought by some church leaders.