Area Legislators outline the big issues of the upcoming General Assembly

As it is almost every legislative session, legislators from the Fort Smith region say the struggle to fund all of Arkansas’ pressing needs with a limited budget will prove the toughest task of the upcoming General Assembly.

Monday (Jan. 12) is the start of the 87th General Assembly. Gathering in Little Rock in the otherwise impressive and peaceful state capitol will be 135 Arkansas legislators, Gov. Mike Beebe and his staff, hundreds of lobbyists, bureaucrats and other officials with state agencies, a smattering of media and possibly a few frightened tourists unaware that their vacations plans overlapped with this cacophonous collision of movers, shakers and policy makers.

The City Wire recently asked the 13 legislators (a list of the 13 is including at the bottom of this post) representing all or portions of the Fort Smith region to comment on the key issues likely to be addressed in the constitutionally-mandated gathering of state lawmakers. Four of the 13 legislators responded.

District 66
Rep. Rick Green, R-Van Buren

Finalizing a balanced budget with limited revenues without cutting services and developing the rules and mechanics for running a state lottery, are the two biggest issues Green said will face the Assembly.

Arkansas voters in November approved a lottery — with 63% approval — to fund scholarships. The ballot language required Arkansas legislators to devise a process to administer the lottery and its proceeds.



Green said he will support a bill to remove the tax on charitable bingo, and will support legislation to further deter illegal immigration in Arkansas. He also plans to support legislation that helps small business maintain jobs during this economic downturn.



What issue might be big but has yet to garner attention?
“The issue of extremely high health insurance costs for teachers is one that the legislature has not adequately addressed,” Green responded, “I’m not sure with limited revenues that we can effect a positive change this session, bit we can’t continue to table or ignore this issue.”

District 65
Rep. Tracy Pennartz, D-Fort Smith

Pennartz cited the following as key issues:
• unmet budget needs to the tune of $145 million
• shortage of nurses and nursing faculty
• the possible creation of statewide trauma system and requisite funding source
• creation of a lottery system and effective wide-ranging scholarships

Pennartz has filed HB 1022, which proposes loans for nurses and nursing faculty incentives. She also intends to support legislation expanding investment incentives for downtown development that includes creation of an historic rehabilitation tax credit.

Pennartz, who is a member of the powerful Joint Budget Committee, said a sleeper issue could be how to spend as much as $300 million from the general improvement fund.

District 63
Rep. Frank Glidewell, R-Fort Smith

Glidewell believes developing the rules and regulations for the lottery amendment will be a hot issue in the upcoming session.
 
In addition to the lottery, Glidewell said he expects much debate on further reduction of the state sales tax on groceries.

“The budget, in light of the tight economic times and growing pressure to increase Medicaid funding” will be one of the biggest issues, Glidewell said.
He also sees a push to further develop a statewide trauma network that could be funded with increases on cigarettes and liquor.

On roads, Glidewell notes: “Highways need more money but, because of the economic uncertainty, they will be well down the pecking order in legislative funding. Fortunately, highways will soon start receiving revenue from the severance-tax increase on natural
gas production. That will help offset revenue losses sustained the past few months when people began driving less and consuming less gasoline.”

Glidewell said he will be active pushing legislation requiring better court supervision of child visitation by parents with a history of violent crime or threatening behavior. He is also interested in limiting the “bingo tax” and enhancing drug courts and alternative sentencing for drug and alcohol abusers.

District 13
Sen. Denny Altes, R-Fort Smith

Altes, serving in his last term, also cited the lottery and the further reducing the sales tax on groceries as being the big issues of the session.

Other issues Altes believes will garner attention include:
 
Cell Phones: There are legislative plans to restrict cell phone use while driving. The bill would allow hands-free devices like headsets. Similar efforts have failed in past sessions, Altes reminded.

Animal Cruelty: “Expect a strong push to make animal cruelty a felony for a first offense,” Altes advised. He said past attempts have failed, but that Attorney General Dustin McDaniel and bill sponsors are working to address the concerns of ranchers and farmers.
 
Child Welfare: The Department of Human Services is asking for 50 more case workers to speed up investigations of abuse and neglect of children. Altes said the problem is in finding money to support the proposed new positions.
 
Prisons: “The Corrections Department always needs additional funds to operate prison units,” Altes said. The inmate is about 14,000 and growing.

Previous reports by The City Wire on the upcoming General Assembly include:

• Bill that would avoid repeat of Fort Smith city director turmoil.

• Area legislative delegation meets with Crawford County, Fort Smith leadership groups.

• Altes, Green active in prefiling proposed legislation

Legislators in the Fort Smith region

Arkansas State Senate
District 3
Sen. Ruth Whitaker, R-Cedarville

District 4
Sen. Sharon Trusty, R-Russellville (district includes east Logan County)

District 6
Sen. Ed Wilkinson, D-Greenwood

District 13
Sen. Denny Altes, R-Fort Smith

Arkansas House of Representatives
District 62
Rep. Terry Rice, R-Waldron

District 63
Rep. Frank Glidewell, R-Fort Smith

District 64
Rep. Stephanie Malone, R-Fort Smith

District 65
Rep. Tracy Pennartz, D-Fort Smith

District 66
Rep. Rick Green, R-Van Buren

District 67
Rep. Steve Breedlove, D-Greenwood

District 83
Rep. Beverly Pyle, R-Cedarville

District 84
Rep. John Paul Wells, D-Paris

District 87
Rep. Mark Martin, R-Prairie Grove