The Pennsylvania Lottery will begin selling Mega Millions tickets starting January 31st. Mega Millions is a multi-state jackpot game that offers larger jackpots than Powerball, with drawings held twice a week. Pennsylvania players will now have more opportunities to win huge jackpots. The lottery expects Mega Millions sales to generate $80 million and $19 million in net revenue over the next 5 months. This agreement allows Pennsylvania players to purchase Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, providing more chances to win big prizes and increased funding for senior programs.

1. News for Immediate Release
Jan. 12, 2010
Pennsylvania Lottery to Sell Mega Millions® Tickets Starting Jan. 31
Middletown – Pennsylvania will begin selling tickets for the Mega Millions ® multi-state jackpot
game on Jan. 31, Lottery Executive Director Ed Trees announced today.
“Our players have told us that they want more opportunities to win bigger jackpots,” Trees said.
“Players will soon be able to purchase Powerball tickets and Mega Millions tickets in Pennsylvania
for more opportunities to win jackpots of tens- to hundreds-of-millions of dollars.”
Mega Millions jackpots start at $12 million, tickets cost $1 per play and drawings are held on
Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 p.m. EST in Atlanta, Georgia. The first Mega Millions drawing for
Pennsylvania players will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 2.
Mega Millions tickets will be available for purchase at more than 8,400 Pennsylvania Lottery
retailers, where players already purchase tickets for Powerball and other games. Tickets are
available for purchase up to 13 weeks in advance and will be available for sale for the same night’s
drawing until 9:59 p.m.
The Multi-State Lottery Association, which manages the Powerball game, and the Mega Millions
consortium recently reached an agreement on cross-selling Powerball and Mega Millions across
U.S. lottery jurisdictions.
The Lottery expects Mega Millions will generate about $80 million in sales during the final five
months of the fiscal year, which would generate $19 million in net revenues for senior programs.
“This agreement translates into a new, exciting opportunity for players and increased revenue for
essential services benefiting older Pennsylvanians,” Trees said.
In addition to Pennsylvania – which joined Powerball in June 2002 – 30 states, the District of
Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands currently sell Powerball. Twelve states currently sell Mega
Millions. The agreement between the Multi-State Lottery Association and the Mega Millions
consortium allows all states involved to cross-sell Powerball and Mega Millions.
Sales for Mega Millions began on May 15, 2002, and its first drawing was May 17, 2002. Mega
Millions awarded North America’s largest jackpot, $390 million, from its March 6, 2007,
drawing.
How to Play Mega Millions: Mega Millions tickets cost $1 per play. Players pick five numbers
from 1 to 56 and one number from 1 to 46 (The Mega Ball). Players can pick their own numbers or
have numbers randomly selected by computer. For an extra $1 per play, players can add the
Megaplier. Prior to the Mega Millions drawing, the Megaplier number – ranging from two to four
– is randomly selected. Non-jackpot prizes from winning tickets with the Megaplier option will be
multiplied by the Megaplier number.

2. About the Pennsylvania Lottery: The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state lottery that
designates all its proceeds to fund programs that benefit older residents. Since its inception 37
years ago, the Pennsylvania Lottery has contributed more than $19.2 billion to programs that
include property tax and rent rebates; free and reduced-fare transit; the low-cost prescription
drug programs PACE and PACENET; long-term living services; and the 52 Area Agencies on
Aging, including more than 600 full- and part-time senior centers throughout the state. The
Pennsylvania Lottery reminds its players to play responsibly. Players must be 18 or older.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Lottery, visit www.palottery.com.
Media contact: Kirstin Alvanitakis, 717-702-8008
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3. First Lady Rendell Launches Twitter Site
HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- First Lady Judge Marjorie O. Rendell
today joined the likes of Ashton Kutcher, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Oprah Winfrey
on the social networking site Twitter and asked teachers, students and anyone interested in civics
education to follow her at www.twitter.com/CivicsFirst.
"Social networking sites like Twitter bring people together from all over the world to discuss
problems, formulate solutions and generate powerful action," Judge Rendell said. "We are
reaching out to teachers to create an online community around the topic of civics education,
inspire students to connect with their elected officials and persuade superintendents to
incorporate model programs into their curriculum."
With the new school year under way and Constitution Day approaching on Sept. 17, Judge
Rendell is sharing free, Internet-based resources for teaching civics with educators across the
state and showing administrators the many programs available that are aligned with
Pennsylvania's academic standards.
"Our entire system of government is dependent on a well-informed and engaged citizenry, which
is why we must promote civics education for every child," said Judge Rendell. "Some teachers and
administrators may be unsure of how best to incorporate civics education into their curricula. I
would like to use the Twitter site to start a dialogue about how educators can achieve this goal."
Judge Rendell has been active in promoting citizenship learning through her initiative, the
Pennsylvania Coalition for Representative Democracy, or PennCORD, which is a unique union of
educational, advocacy and governmental organizations that are committed to improving civics
education for students in grades K-12. For more information about PennCORD, visit
www.penncord.org.
The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system,
protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our
communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign
up for his newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.
CONTACT:
Kirstin Alvanitakis
717-783-1116

4. Stopping prison’s revolving door
by State Sen. Shirley M. Kitchen
Philadelphia Daily News
January 11, 2006
http://articles.philly.com/2006-01-11/news/25410220_1_nonviolent-offenders-prison-drug-
and-property-offenses
Here’s a quick quiz. Which politician recently made the following statement? “America is the land
of second chance, and when the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better
life.”
Answer: President George W. Bush, in his 2004 State of the Union address.
Indeed, the president of the United States took time in his most important speech to the nation to
raise awareness for the issue of helping former prisoners get back on their feet. It’s unfortunate
that, since then, Bush has squandered his chance to attack one of the most stubborn problems of
our time.
Each year, 650,000 prisoners are released back into communities across this country. Of those
released, approximately three-fourths are non-violent offenders with mostly minor drug and
property offenses. The majority of these non-violent offenders are people of color, and they return
to their homes and neighborhoods with few resources and opportunities. For many, the shadow of
their prison sentence lingers throughout their lives.
During my time representing north Philadelphia as a state Senator, I have come to believe that
government must respond with new strategies when the status quo is not working. Statistics show
that nearly two-thirds of parolees return to prison within three years of their release. The status
quo – prison gates becoming revolving doors for many minority youth – is unacceptable, and we
need to address this issue now.
We have succeeded in bringing crime rates down from their highs in the early 1990s. However, we
are now spending $57 billion a year to jail 2 million individuals. This figure has increased by more
than 500 percent since 1982.
If we could slow the revolving doors of prison, we could save millions in tax dollars. More
importantly, we would save lives. We would save families.
How do we go about helping ex-offenders get their lives back on track? Strong families and faith
are important, to be sure. We also need to provide employment to those who have recently left
prison.
The National Institute of Justice has found that up to 60 percent of former inmates have not
found a job within one year of release. In effect, many young men and women who have paid their
debt to society are given a life sentence. Whether their sentence is served behind bars or not, they
have no hope of a better life for themselves and their families.
Steady, well-paying employment is essential to rejoining society and avoiding a return to prison.
Therefore, we need to encourage employers to hire ex-offenders, when they are qualified and
appropriate candidates for a position.
Current state law allows any employer to view and consider applicants’ criminal history
information when making hiring decisions. In an attempt to protect ex-offenders’ rights,
Pennsylvania law states that an employer may only consider that criminal history as it relates to
“the applicant’s suitability for employment in the position for which he has applied.” Also, if an
employer turns down an applicant based on their criminal history, they must notify the candidate
in writing.

5. As the statute is currently written, it almost encourages employers to refuse hiring ex-offenders.
Job applicants can sue employers who reject them wrongly, but the likelihood of winning a
judgment is small.
We must do more to help recently released prisoners find good jobs. I have introduced an update
to our state law that attempts to balance legitimate public safety concerns with the objective of
increasing employment among ex-offenders. My legislation would prohibit employers from
considering non-violent offenses when making hiring decisions. Therefore, a young person with a
minor drug conviction would have equal opportunity for employment. They could leave behind a
troubled past and look forward to a brighter future.
America was founded on the principle of equal opportunity. Many immigrated to these shores to
flee unfortunate circumstances and start a new life. What could be more American than ensuring
that young people who have fallen off track have the opportunity make a new life and work for a
decent living?

6. Witness protection is vital
By State Sen. Shirley M. Kitchen
Philadelphia Inquirer
March 22, 2006
http://articles.philly.com/2006-03-22/news/25415527_1_witness-intimidation-criminal-justice-
system-legal-system
An epidemic of silence has stricken witness after witness in criminal trials in Philadelphia. For
those who have seen their loved ones harmed or killed, silence seems like safety. For those who
perceive inequities in our criminal justice system, silence seems like loyalty. However, I believe
silence is neither safety, nor loyalty.
I commend the recent efforts by city officials and community leaders to attack the suicidal "Stop
Snitchin" philosophy that heaps scorn on innocent victims and witnesses. I applaud Gov.
Rendell's decision to restore funding for witness-relocation programs in the state budget. I thank
my Democratic and Republican colleagues in the state Senate who have signed onto my proposal
to increase penalties for intimidating crime witnesses or victims.
These efforts should be the beginning of a dialogue about what has gone so wrong in our city,
where school children are shot on playgrounds and fathers warn their daughters to stay silent.
However, these efforts are doomed to fail if we do not also address the perverse incentives that
have been created by the current criminal justice system.
This country's failed "War on Drugs" has brought millions of young people into the system, with
little impact on drug abuse rates. Mandatory minimum sentences have eroded the authority of
judges to set appropriate penalties.
With the "three strikes" legislation on the books, repeat offenders know they face long sentences if
they are convicted a third time, no matter what the charge. Some of them figure that it's better to
put the squeeze on a witness, rather than stand trial.
The first step toward fixing this situation is to take witness intimidation seriously. We must
punish this offense so severely that it is no longer an attractive option for criminals. My
legislation, Senate Bill 1126, would strengthen Pennsylvania's already tough penalties for those
convicted of witness intimidation.
Under my bill, the penalty for using force, bribery, or the threat of force to intimidate a witness
would be at least a second-degree felony, no matter the underlying charge. (Current state law
provides for a first-degree felony charge if the case involved is also a first-degree felony or a first-
or second-degree murder.) Other cases of witness intimidation (without force, bribery, or threat
of force) would be subject to a first-degree misdemeanor charge.
These changes will send the message, loud and clear, that witness intimidation will not be
tolerated in any case. These changes are essential because witness intimidation is so debilitating
for our legal system – here and elsewhere. In Baltimore, for example, State's Attorney Patricia
Jessamy has estimated that 25 percent of her gun cases are dismissed when witnesses fail to
appear.
The next step is to examine how the criminal justice system has changed the social bonds within
our communities. The "Stop Snitchin" mentality is detestable, but it did not arise out of nowhere.
Alexandra Natapoff, an associate professor of law at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, has
criticized law enforcement's use of criminal informants for undermining police authority, putting
criminals back on the streets, and sowing distrust in urban neighborhoods. The toxic climate in
our communities has resulted in a backlash against anyone who cooperates with police, even if
they are innocent bystanders or crime victims.

7. Last, we must do everything in our power to protect innocent witnesses from being victimized
again. Law enforcement officials have reported that gangs have used the Internet to obtain
information on legal proceedings and to identify witnesses. We should examine how we might
restrict access to information that could endanger witnesses, while preserving the right of
defendants to confront their accusers.
Prosecutors have found that temporary relocation is effective in preventing witness intimidation.
Every innocent witness should be strongly encouraged to seek relocation, at least until they can
testify in court.
There has been an epidemic of silence in Philadelphia, but I know that we can end this cancer on
our city and bring justice to victims of violence.