Unclaimed $1.5B Jackpot Could Be Real Bummer for SC

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 is expected Thursday to suggest removing the $61 million windfall from the state spending plan. That's more than 0.6% of South Carolina's $9 billion budget in lawmakers' control. The winner has until mid-April to claim the prize or it will be returned to the 44 states that play Mega Millions, notes the AP. (This office pool gave away its Mega Millions winnings.)