Stephens Media
PINE BLUFF — Lt. Gov. Bill Halter declared himself ready to do battle with special interests in Washington on Thursday among strong supporters of his top priority in Arkansas — a state lottery for college scholarships.
Halter held his first town hall meeting as a candidate for the U.S. Senate here in Jefferson County, which has the second highest volume of lottery ticket sales in the state. He spent as much time on extolling the scholarships the games will produce as he did on issues in Washington that affect his home state.
He did say he disagreed with incumbent Democrat Blanche Lincoln’s opposition to a public option provision in health care reform legislation. He said he favors allowing individuals to decide if affordable government provided coverage is best for them.
Halter also said few of Lincoln’s constituents share her concern about reducing or eliminating the tax on estates over $10 million at a time when a record national debt and high unemployment threaten their future.
He said there is a parallel between lottery-funded scholarships and solving the country’s economic problems, adding, “It’s about restoration of hope.”
Halter led the drive for a state lottery to fund college scholarships. Voters overwhelmingly approved a lottery amendment in the November 2008 general election. Lottery tickets went on sale last September and lottery officials project the games will generate more than $100 million a year for scholarships, beginning this fall.
Since the lottery will fund scholarships at two-and four-year institutions of higher learning and Pine Bluff has one of each, a number of teachers raised questions about the scholarships during the event held on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
Halter, a Rhodes Scholar who majored in economics while at Oxford, said higher education and Arkansas’ economy are closely linked. Until educational levels are raised here, he added, Arkansas could not compete in a global market.
He said a number of programs link the scholarships to training workers for a diversified economy, pointing to the potential to produce and develop products from the Arkansas Delta.
Lincoln, who is seeking a third term, is considered among the most vulnerable U.S. Senate incumbents. Halter and Little Rock resident D.C. Morrison are challenging her in the May 18 Democratic primary. Eight Republicans are vying for the GOP nomination.
