Tenn. legislators startled
by bonuses for lottery staff
State lawmakers are surprised by the number of Tennessee Lottery employees
who have received bonuses totaling nearly $700,000 since the launch
of the games in January.
(PRWEB) April 22, 2004 -- Tennessee legislators startled by bonuses
for lottery staff.
State lawmakers are surprised by the number of Tennessee Lottery
employees who have received bonuses totaling nearly $700,000 since
the launch of the games in January.
Lottery CEO Rebecca Paul has earned $245,000 in bonuses for beginning
scratchoff games ahead of schedule and starting the lottery online
by March 20. The other 142 Tennessee Education Lottery Corp. employees
have cashed $422,304 in startup bonus checks, according to lottery
records, an average of $2,974 each.
Paul used employee incentives when starting lotteries in Florida
and Georgia. She said the bonuses helped Tennessee's lottery sell
tickets 21 days before the target opening date and net an extra $30
million for lottery-funded scholarships.
Rep. Chris Newton, R-Cleveland, said the overall bonus amount seems
high and will bring the subject up at the Legislature's next lottery
oversight committee meeting.
"This concerns me a little bit as far as public perception,"
he said. "I hope this is just unique to the startup year and
not a historical trend we are going to see continue."