Lottery Payouts

I agree with Wilson Glen’s opinions regarding the changes to the lottery payout policy (letter, Jan. 5). However, it is even worse than he mentioned in his letter. The smallest lottery prize is $3 million. Taking half up front leaves $1.5 million. But, because the amount is over $1 million, the federal government will take half of that, leaving you with only one-fourth the original prize.

I am also in the above-50 age bracket and would be unlikely to live long enough to collect a prize paid out over 26 years.

The voters of California ap- proved the institution of the lottery. We should be allowed to approve major changes to lottery policy.

DALE MARTIN

Anaheim

* The changes recently announced in the payout options for the lottery raise an old question. Why is it that any time a governmental or quasi-governmental agency does anything halfway intelligent (giving winners the option of taking 50% of the jackpot as a lump-sum payment), it has to be coupled with something completely arbitrary and stupid (increasing the installment period from 20 years to 26)?

MARK LEINWAND

Agoura Hills