A lawmaker who represents part of Christian County in the Kentucky General Assembly wants a sales tax on lottery tickets as a way to help balance the state’s pension system, but that won’t come without some opposition.

State Representative Brent Yonts is proposing a six percent tax on lottery sales, saying the proposal isn’t like other new revenue streams proposed to reduce the pension shortfall.

Representative Yonts says legislators have looked at numerous proposals, but only a very few have a chance of ever passing the General Assembly.

The lottery corporation could even add additional games that would help the state exceed projections of 49 million dollars in additional revenue, according to Yonts.

First District State Senator Stan Humphries is among those who are skeptical of the plan, saying lottery money currently funds important programs in education and he doesn’t want to see that jeopardized in any way.

State Representative Myron Dossett also commented on the proposal during this week’s legislative program, calling it an “intriguing” idea.

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02/25/2013/am