Privatization of the Pennsylvania Lottery wouldn’t be such a contentious issue if Gov. Tom Corbett hadn’t paved with secrecy, the road to the state’s contract with Britain-based Camelot Global Services.

Lawmakers of neither political party should have been shut out of what was going on behind the scenes in regard to the contract, which is projected to bring in more than $34 billion in profits over the course of the 20-year management contract.

That secrecy set the stage for the pending lawsuit by the public employee union that represents about 170 of the 230 state lottery workers.

Meanwhile, state Treasurer Rob McCord, a Democrat, has raised questions about the pact, saying he will not cut any checks related to the management contract until he is satisfied that the contract is legal.

Also, state House and Senate Democratic leaders have asked state Attorney General Kathleen Kane, also a Democrat, to reject the contract, claiming that it “overstepped and usurped the authority of the Pennsylvania Legislature.”

While politics and fear of job losses are at the heart of many of those protesting the deal, Corbett did do the state a disservice by opting for secrecy in regard to the contract — despite the fact that some state residents might be pleased that the contract will immediately provide an additional $50 million for senior programs in the 2013-14 state budget.

Pennsylvania lawmakers and residents didn’t deserve to be handed what amounted to a done deal when the proposed contract first was announced.

Cheer What motivated an anonymous donor to give $900 to allow South Butler School District sixth-graders and one of their parents to attend the anti-drug Reality Tour might never be known.But that’s immaterial. What’s important is that the 180 students and parents, because of that person’s generosity, will have a true-life experience that they aren’t likely to forget.More important is the fact that what is learned from the experience might help the students steer clear of the drug scene.The program, which is held at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the Butler YWCA, includes scenes depicting the life and death of a teen on drugs. The program is managed by Candle, Inc., a nonprofit organization.This anonymous donation is a good example for others with the financial resources and the desire to make a positive impact in their communities, not only in South Butler but other school systems as well.

CheerProspect Borough officials face a big challenge in building support for a 10-municipality water and sewage system. They know that.Judging from poor meeting attendance up to now by officials of municipalities eyed as possible participants, the odds against such a regional undertaking might be insurmountable.But Prospect officials deserve praise for trying to take a step in that positive direction, since public water and sewer services are destined to become an issue in that part of the county — if not sooner, then later. And, it’s going to be much more costly to build a system later than now.What isn’t likely to change is the federal and state governments’ looking more kindly at regional initiatives for grants and loans, rather than those involving just one or two municipalities.Before there can be any serious discussion about a system such as what Prospect envisions, formation of an authority to oversee the effort is necessary. The question has become whether a regional authority is possible when there has been so little enthusiasm shown by Prospect’s neighbors toward the two informational meetings held to date.Three or four officials of other municipalities attended the first meeting, and only one other municipality was represented at the second.If past history in Butler County is any indication, it’s likely that the municipalities will resist the proposed system for cost reasons. The only way that likely would change would be if the municipalities were ordered by the state Department of Environmental Protection to pursue a system or systems.When that happens, they’ll have no choice, regardless of the cost.Prospect is right making this effort. The others should be more open to at least giving a respectful hearing to what’s being proposed.