ORA Monitors Lottery Retailer Contract Negotiations

Public Comment Period Ends October 16, 2009

ORA and our Oregon Lottery retail members have been gearing up for the lottery retailer contact negotiations now underway. The "official kickoff" of the lottery contract negotiation process was the public hearing held on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at the Salem Armory Auditorium. Prior to this hearing, ORA and our lottery members met with the Lottery Director Dale Penn, the Governor’s office and each of the five Lottery Commission members individually to discuss our position. Members of the ORA Lottery Steering Committee have been meeting quarterly over the past year to discuss contract negotiations plus craft and approve ORA’s position.

The public hearing went as expected. Members of the media and groups who benefit from lottery dollars were in attendance. ORA members and lottery retailers had a good presence and more than 25 members provided convincing testimony as to why the current rate system is no longer practical for the state or for lottery retailers. Many retailers expressed that due to the rising cost of business and decrease in lottery play, they are on the verge of closing their doors. Although the lottery commission heard very persuasive comments regarding what effects the economy, smoking ban and rate structure has had on lottery retailers, there is still a lot of work to be done before a new contract rate is approved.

The public comment period is now open and all written comments and testimony are due by October 16, 2009 by 5:00 pm. Between the timeframe of late October to early November, the Commission will approve the new contract rate which goes into effect June 27, 2010. Throughout this entire process, ORA will be meeting with all parties involved in the rate negotiation and will notify our lottery members of any significant news or milestones.

If you would like to submit written testimony to the Oregon Lottery Commission, you may send comments to Retailer.Contract.Comments@state.or.us via email; or send your comments via mail to the Oregon Lottery Commission, Oregon Lottery Headquarters, PO Box 12649, Salem, OR 97309.

Be sure to include a message that your comments are in reference to Retailer Contracts & Commission Rates. Once again, the public comment period closes on October 16, 2009 at 5:00 pm. If you would like help with talking points or written testimony, please contact Kara Thallon at kara@ora.org.