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Chelsea lawmaker urges reallocation of lottery revenue shares to benefit underserved communities
Summary
Representative Judith Garcia asked the committee to support House Bill 434 to modernize how lottery revenues are apportioned, saying cities like Chelsea contribute large ticket sales but receive a smaller share of related local aid.
BOSTON — Representative Judith Garcia testified in support of House Bill 434, urging the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to modernize the formula that apportions lottery revenue and return a greater share of benefits to communities that purchase large volumes of tickets.
Garcia, who represents Chelsea, said Chelsea residents purchased about $50 million in lottery tickets in 2023 and received only about 18%—roughly $9.5 million—back under the current allocation formula. “Communities like Chelsea, Worcester and Everett are investing so much in these lottery tickets, but not getting the same in return for their local aid,” she said, and asked the committee to consider changes that would better serve low‑ and moderate‑income communities.
Committee members asked about the geographic mix of ticket purchases; Representative Hawkins and others noted cross‑border purchases and “gateway” city dynamics where residents from other communities may also buy tickets in a town. Garcia acknowledged the complexity but said available data show a concentration of purchases by residents of lower‑income communities that receive comparatively little in return and that the bill aims to address that inequity.
Representative Garcia asked the committee to give H 434 a favorable report so the legislature can consider a modernized apportionment formula.
