LANSING, July 13, 2006 – The Michigan Lottery has taken its beneficiary message to the streets, literally, advertising its contributions to the School Aid Fund on Detroit area buses.
“The question I am most frequently asked is ‘Where does the Lottery money go?'” Lottery Commissioner Gary Peters said. “All of our profits – 100 percent – go to the state School Aid Fund to support K-12 education in Michigan. The ‘moving billboard’ campaign is an eye-catching way to help reinforce that message.”
The three SMART buses, one each in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties, carry the message “Over $12 Billion to Schools” on one side, “100 Percent of Lottery Profits to Schools” on the other side, and “You Play. Schools Win.” on the back. The commuter buses have been emblazoned with a graphic to change their appearance to that of traditional yellow school buses.
“Most people have no idea how much money the Lottery has contributed to schools since it began in 1972,” Peters said. “At over $12 billion, clearly, the Lottery plays a significant role in helping to finance public education in Michigan.”
The Lottery’s contribution to the School Aid Fund does not go to any specific district, school, or purpose, Peters said. It is part of the total revenue that is allocated on a per pupil basis each year by the Legislature. In fiscal year 2005, the Lottery?s contribution to the School Aid Fund was $667.6 million, which represented about 5 percent of the state?s total expenditure on public education.
In traveling regular routes throughout the three counties, the Lottery beneficiary message will be visible to over 1.8 million commuters daily. Additionally, one of the buses will run continuously along Woodward Avenue during the 2006 Dream Cruise on August 19.
The buses will run through the end of August.
Peters said the buses are a logical medium for the education message. In addition to the high level of visibility that will be achieved, “nothing says schools quite like a yellow bus!”
For additional information, please visit the Lottery’s Web site at https://www.michiganlottery.com/.
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