LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Arkansas lawmakers are considering the creation of a state lottery under a constitutional amendment proposed by Rep. Will Bond, The Times reports. The legislation would authorize the General Assembly to form a state lottery that would fund college scholarships and teacher bonuses.

The lottery proposal is part of Lt. Gov. Bill Halter’s legislative packet. Fifteen House members are co-sponsoring the resolution. In 2000 and 1996, voters rejected proposed lottery amendments, although those amendments also had provisions to permit casino gambling.

The new proposal has a better chance of succeeding because “it’s not attached to casino gaming. It’s not attached to one special interest. It’s a very clean approach,” Rep. Bond told the newspaper.