Arkansas Lottery Commission Legislative Oversight Committee – June 4, 2009
Posted on June 4th, 2009
The agenda for the Arkansas Lottery Commission Legislative Oversight Committee can be found here: http://tr.im/nrnu
There was a lot of buzz in the committee room this morning about the “surprise” executive session that occured this morning. The press advisory occured little more than an hour before the meeting.
Ray Thornton, the Chairman of the Arkansas Lottery Commission give a report on the last meeting. He mentioned that the last meeting location was not a vacation area. He spoke about needs for facilities to conduct business.
House Speaker Robbie Wills is asking questions about the amount of the directors salary and is also asking about the applicants for the director position. Mr. Thornton says there have been 55 applications, many are for not just the director position, but also other areas within the organization. He says that only four or five with lottery experience have applied and those are not from top level positions in other state lotteries.
Mr. Thornton says that in order to get a top level person for the director position, the commission will likely be asking for additional funding. Speaker Wills is inquiring why top level people are not applying for the position. Was wondering if the salary is the reason for the lack of applications.
Mr. Thornton pointed out that the director of the Tennessee lottery makes around a million dollars per year. Speaker Wills asked if he has an idea of how much is it going to take. The answer was “about the national median,” which I think is 300 to 400 thousand per year.
Senator Steele asking a question about the selection of the executive director. He wants to know if the person will be selected by knowledge of lottery, or knowledge of Arkansas. He wonders if those skills may need to be met with two positions. Mr. Thornton believed that experience in both areas are going to be needed. Suggested at COO in addition to CEO. He pointed out that no one should be excluded due to lack of lottery experience.
Rep. Gaskill asking about how much “staff” will be necessary to run the Arkansas lottery. Former Congressman Thornton says that the staff will be largely Arkansas citizens and will represent the “diversity” of Arkansas.
State Senator Robert Thompson expressing concern about the use of a nationwide search for selection of the position. Says that he hopes that whoever is hired is well aware of issues that need to be addressed such as those encountered with ATRS (the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System). Congressman Thornton agreed.
State Senator Terry Smith has a “grave concern”, mentioned that a lottery expert said that the people of Arkansas has to have confidence in the Arkansas Lottery, and expresses desire that close attention is paid to maintaining the reputation of the Arkansas Lottery. Mr. Thornton pointed out that the well written legislation should serve to build confidence that the lottery is run in an honest and forthright manner.
Represenative Linda Tyler is asking if additional criteria has been defined for selection of the director position. Mr. Thornton said that the job descriptions and criteria were defined at the Petit Jean meeting last month. Said that some suggest that the level of precision may have scared off applicants. He thinks it is the converse.
Rep. Johnnie Roebuck asking if the commission is benchmarking other state lotteries. Mr Thornton says yes, but understand that Arkansas lottery will by necessity be somewhat different. Rep. Roebuck cautioned that we should also avoid what failing lotteries are doing. Frmr. Cong. Thornton agreed.
With only a few exceptions almost every member of the committee asked a question. Sen. Key, Rep. Maloch, and Rep. Williams did not feel the need to hear themselves speak.
Paul Louthian, Administrator – DFA Office of Accounting is requesting a $25,000.00 transfer of budget funds from professional services to travel and expenses for the Arkansas Lottery Commission.
Rep. Williams asked if $1000 per day worth of travel is planned. Mr Louthian explained that alot of training travel is needed. Rep. Key asked a follow-up question, inquiring if these funds may be used for “recruiting” travel. Transfer was approved. Meeting adjourned. Kudos to Rep. Maloch for being the sole member to listen and not speak.
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