The Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C.–The winner of a $1.537-billion lottery jackpot in South Carolina has yet to come forward.
That means the state of South Carolina might be a big loser, too.
Economic officials estimated the winner would pay $61 million in state income taxes and put that money into the budget.
That much money could pay for new voting machines or a police officer in every South Carolina public school.
But with the prize unclaimed, the state Board of Economic Advisors today was expected to suggest removing the $61-million windfall from the state spending plan.
That’s more than 0.5 percent of South Carolina’s $9-billion budget in lawmakers’ control.
The winner has until mid-April to claim the prize or it is returned to the 44 states that play Mega Millions.