Legislator proposes 'snow bank' lotto

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) -- A Massachusetts state lawmaker has come up with a way to help cities and towns boost their strained snow removal budgets.

With a winter storm bearing down on the state for the third consecutive weekend, Worcester Democrat John Bineinda has introduced legislation that would establish a $2 scratch-off lottery ticket the proceeds of which would go to a statewide snow removal fund.

He suggests calling the ticket the "snow bank" lottery.

Cities and towns running snow removal deficits could request funds from the account, subject to review by the state comptroller.

Bineinda says the fund could help smaller towns that often have to cut into other areas of their budget during harsh winters when they blow through their snow removal budget.