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"He also wants to ensure students to take on a bigger role in deciding the direction of their university."
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Last year, the Virginia Lottery paid out more than 65 million winning tickets. About 37,000 were for prize amounts over $600. Winners, by law, have to disclose their address, social security number and date of birth among other personal details on a form to claim their prize. Some of that information, like the winner’s name, prize amount and hometown automatically become public record. "Now that’s been the law since the lottery began to prove that real people, really do win the lottery,” Lottery spokesperson John Hagerty said. Hagerty said some lottery winners who come in are worried about announcing to the world, their neighbors and extended family members that they’ve suddenly and unexpectedly become rich. There are stories of lottery winners in other states who were conned, swindled and even murdered. That’s why Virginia Senator Lionell Spruill (D-Chesapeake) introduced a bill this year to allow lottery winners in the state to remain anonymous. He said it used to be exciting and funny to see winners on TV, but not any more. Senator Scott Surovell initially opposed Spruill’s bill because he says he’s an attorney who represents people who are owed money. “And if somebody comes into a lot of money and a child support could be paid off or a judgment could be paid I think the public ought to know so these people could be held accountable,” he said.
WCVE
Last year, students and staff at Virginia Commonwealth University rallied for better pay for adjunct professors. They also questioned why the university chose to purchase another building while continuing to raise tuition. The crowd of about a dozen protesters chanted "Our school, our tuition, our voice." The university eventually agreed to raise adjunct pay, but it did so, in part, by raising tuition again. In-state, undergrad students are now having to pay $800 more than the year before. The Virginia legislature has now approved a bill that will force universities to create an official process for public comment the next time they want to raise tuition. The bill, sponsored by Senator Chap Petersen and Delegate Jason Miyares expected to head the Governor’s desk soon. Petersen said the idea behind the proposal is to put pressure on universities to justify their fee increases and hopefully keeping costs low in the process. He also wants to ensure students to take on a bigger role in deciding the direction of their university.
WCVE
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