Gov. Eliot Spitzer led what was essentially a cheerleading session to get leaders of the State University of New York, City University of New York and other schools revved up about his plan to privatize the state Lottery and create a $4 billion education endowment. Legislative leaders have been wary and skeptical of the plan so far, saying they need more detailed information about how the endowment would work.
 “We need your help,” Spitzer told educators during a conference call this afternoon. “This sort of transformational event doesn’t occur … unless there are enough voices being heard, articulating the need, demonstrating the support …”
  The governor urged educators to work with alumni, write opinion pieces for newspapers, get faculty members involved in the campaign and reach out to their local business communities.
  With an endowment of $4 billion, the state could distribute about $220 million a year. The endowment would be expected to grow to $6.3 billion and generate more than $330 million a year for higher education.
  The governor said the endowment money would not replace of funding that would already be spent on higher education, and the state would not market the Lottery or promote gambling in an inappropriate way (a response to some leaders’ concerns).
  “Let’s see if we can make this a reality,” the governor told those listening on the phone after a half-hour session of his comments and responses to questions from educators.
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