Senator Carlucci Wants Unclaimed $1 Million Dollar Lotto Prize To Fund Kindergarten

The search is still on for an unclaimed lottery ticket worth $1 million sold at a Quick Mart in Nanuet one year ago — and the deadline to claim the prize of $1 million dollars is tomorrow. Under current law money that is not claimed within one year from the date of the drawing or from the close of the game in which the prize was won is forfeited and retained in the lottery prize account to be used for payment of any special lotto prizes that may be offered, or for promotional purposes to supplement other lottery games on an occasional basis.

Senator David Carlucci today announced legislation today that would put aside unclaimed lottery winnings into a special fund that would fund kindergarten throughout the State of New York.

Currently New York is one of several states that does not mandate kindergarten. 26 schools currently only offer half day kindergarten to their students leaving thousands of children behind during those critical early learning years. Study after study has shown that children's early learning experiences have a profound effect on their development.

In 2013 New York State received $65 million dollars in unclaimed lottery winnings that went right back to the lotto system. The Citizens Budget Commission estimated this year it would cost $77 million to bring full day kindergarten to every school in the State.

Senator Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) said, “Tomorrow New York State will be losing $1 million dollars that could have been saved to pay for the expansion of kindergarten throughout the Hudson Valley and our State. This legislation will provide much-needed funds to school districts to support their kindergarten programs so that every child in New York will continue to have access to the important benefits kindergarten offers.”