By Genesis Guerra

Reporter

This year, Issue 1 was on the ballot in Arkansas as a legislatively proposed constitutional amendment. Issue 1 is an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution, which aims to start expanding the use of state lottery funds to support a broader range of educational opportunities.

Arkansas’s General Assembly referred the question to voters casting ballots in the Nov. 5 General Election. Legislators asked for voters to help expand the funding toward other schooling that qualifies for state lottery scholarships. According to the 2024 Voter Guide from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Public Policy Center, lottery scholarships can be used at private and public nonprofits, as well as two- and four-year colleges and universities in the state. The expansion will provide financial support that can help individuals who choose to study trades that are increasingly important in today’s job market, especially in industries that offer stable employment and good benefits.

A 89.6% majority of Arkansas voters cast ballots FOR the amendment, according to The Associated Press. The money will go into scholarships and grants for vocational-technical schools; the funding for these educational opportunities will help address skill shortages in various industries and promote workforce development. The lottery scholarship program could also encourage more students to consider vocational education as an alternative schooling option rather than having to attend a four-year college, all with the same reward, which is landing a better job and creating economic growth in the state. 

With over a hundred schools in Arkansas the scholarship money can help by not defining vocational-technical schools and technical institutes, lawmakers would have the choice to determine eligibility, which can potentially help with funding in specific workforces. Attorney and Business Consultant in Little Rock, Kurrus Baker, makes reference to the United States Bureau of Economic Analysis and reveals a troubling trend for Arkansas. Kurrus shared that personal income growth has been stagnant, and the state ranks last in this statistic, raising concerns about the region’s economic potential and workforce development.

Robin Lundstrum, a state representative from Elm Springs sponsored the bill. According to The Arkansas Advocate, Lundstrum said, “I have three degrees…but not everybody needs to go to college; not everybody wants to go to college. Yet, we’re turning a blind eye to a whole segment of our population.”  Vocational schools allow students to study professions and trades such as dental hygienist or becoming an electrician. Lundstrum said, “There are so many blue collar jobs that we’re losing,” when speaking about not providing scholarship opportunities to vo-tech students.

The Lottery Proceed Funding for Vocational-Technical School Scholarships and Grants Amendment is a significant measure for voters in Arkansas. With the issue being passed, residents can shape the funding landscape for vocational and technical education in the state. Sales of lottery tickets in Arkansas raised $114.7 million for college scholarships during the state’s 2023 Fiscal Year of July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023, according to the Public Policy Center.