Arkansas Senate Report: Redistricting and revenue stabilization

Editor’s note: Arkansas Sen. Jake Files, R-Fort Smith, provided the following commentary on the previous week of the 88th Arkansas General Assembly.

High drama this week at the Capitol, and it only promises to get better in the coming week. The end of the Session is slated for Friday, April 1, which means redistricting, revenue stabilization, and final meetings are all on tap.

Probably the biggest thing to happen last week was the vote to refer a 5-cent diesel tax to the people. It made news in that it was stymied in the Senate Transportation Committee after passing through the House, but after a couple of amendments, it was moved to the Senate floor, where it passed by the minimum number of votes (18).

No Republicans voted for it on the floor. I voted against it for a couple of reasons. As a side note, I know we need highways, and they need improving. I also know that the way we are doing things right now with the Highway Commission simply cannot be the best way to allocate the funds. They are allocating the dollars equitably across the state, but I would argue that the needs are not equitable across the state. I also don’t think we can continue to go to the people every few years with a tax like this. What if it doesn’t pass?

The last public opinion poll showed about a 40% favorable on this measure, and I received more calls in opposition to this bill than any other bill this Session. I don’t look for it to be a popular measure at the ballot. Furthermore, I don’t see this as a time when people are looking to vote FOR a tax. When you couple this with the one-half cent gas tax that will also probably be referred in the next General Election, I think you really have an overwhelming opposition mounting.

REDISTRICTING
Redistricting was also a bit of a comedy routine this past week. A plan is gaining steam as the “Fayetteville Finger” which puts Fayetteville in the 4th Congressional District along with most of the southern part of the state. Yes, that Fayetteville up north on Interstate 540.

It is really unbelievable that the Democrats can view this as a viable plan, in my opinion. There are other plans out there (see Sen. Johnny Key’s map) that are equitable, show little variation in numbers across the districts, and seem to be fair for the growth in the future of the state.

This week, we shall see these plans debated on and finalized in the Senate, and don’t be surprised if the Courts end up drawing the lines for us. The Senate State Agencies Committee is split 4-4 on party lines, and the only way for this Fayetteville Finger plan to be voted out of committee is by a full vote of the Senate where 18 members move to “pull” the bill out of committee. Once again, this may happen, but I think the long-term effects of a move like this will be far-reaching and potentially flip the make-up of the House and the Senate to be Republican controlled. Either way, get your popcorn, it is going to be a good show.

REVENUE STABILIZATION
The final committee meetings and votes will be cast this week, as will the Revenue Stabilization Act, which will detail line-by-line the priorities of the budget and the spending.

I look for there to be much excitement and activity as all the elected officials move to get their bills to the finish line and hopefully across it!

This is a crazy time in the Legislature and will be especially interesting to watch as bills get pulled out of committee and the rules are suspended to get other bills heard.

We have had a very good Session as it relates to Fort Smith and our region, and I look forward to visiting with many of you when we are finished to highlight the successes (and failures) of the 2011 General Assembly.

The direct phone to the Senate is (501) 682-2901, and my e-mail is [email protected]

I look forward to hearing from you.