Commissioners want state to shift lottery funds to school construction

Commission members, including the Wake County Board of Commissioners, plan to press legislators during the upcoming short session, which begins May 14.

Wake County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state, with about 3,000 new students in the school system each year. Commissioners said they need help funding construction to keep up with growth.

When the lottery was created, 40 percent of proceeds were earmarked for school construction. But over the years and with the economic downturn, legislators shifted those funds. Now, about 21 percent of lottery money goes toward building new schools.

Wake County has lost $58 million since 2009, according to the association.