Governor Dannel Malloy signed Rep. Gerald Fox III’s bill which will enable the Connecticut State Lottery to deduct delinquent taxes and other penalties before awarding any prize worth $5,000 or more. There was an entire ceremony at the State Capitol last Friday as the Governor signed the bill. Lottery numbers

The law, which applies to all citizens of Connecticut who buy winning lottery tickets, will become active next year, on January 1. At the moment, the state is owed about $400 million in tax delinquencies and Gerald Fox said the new law will serve as an avenue to collect the owed revenue. Lottery checker

“It makes sense that someone who owes back taxes to the state should pay those taxes if they are lucky enough to win a lottery,” Gerald Fox, who serves as House Chair of the Judiciary Committee, stated. “This will not only raise needed revenue for the state, but will help create greater confidence and fairness in our tax system.”

At the moment, the current state laws already force the Connecticut Lottery Corp. to check all the people who win $5,000 or more for delinquent child support payments. This program has brought in more than $1.5 million in delinquent child support payments since 2004. Lottery winning numbers

Gerald Fox said he got the idea from Anthony Martino, a resident in Stamford, who testified at a public hearing concerning the bill.

“Winners are checked against a database of obligors owing child support, so I suggested the state could apply the same process to those owing delinquent taxes,” Martino testified in February. “The concept could be further extended to casino winnings.”

Well, most of us may not think much of it, but it is one of the most sensible laws passed by any Legislature in recent times. However, a great number of people are still concerned that those who actually owe taxes will just have someone else collect their prizes for them. However, after everything is said and done, this particular law will not affect any honest citizen, so there is no reason to worry about it. We always say we like it when lottery money goes to someone who actually deserves it, and that does not include delinquents.

That’s about it on the matter for now. Join us again very soon if you want to learn more news about any particular state lottery or lotteries in general.