Lawmakers Make Quick Work Of Tax Cuts, Constitutional Amendments

Talk Politics

by Talk Business ([email protected]) March 20, 2011 7:00 pm 120 views 

Coming back from a weekend break, Arkansas lawmakers dispatched with their work quickly.

Today, the Senate Revenue and Tax Committee quickly passed two tax cut measures that were part of a 6-bill compromise struck last week. The two bills are HB 1056 by Rep. Uvalde Lindsey (D-Fayetteville) and HB 1369 by Rep. Matthew Shepherd (R-El Dorado).

HB 1056 would provide for more income tax relief for head of household taxpayers with two or more dependents. HB 1369 creates a back-to-school sales tax holiday. Both bills passed the committee on voice votes.  On Friday, a House tax panel made quick work of several Senate bills that were agreed to by House and Senate leadership.

In the House State Agencies Committee, members were considering 5 potential constitutional amendment options to refer to the Joint State Agencies Committee. The House committee decided to refer all 5 to tomorrow’s joint panel instead of winnowing the choices down.

The 5 potential referrals include:

  • HJR 1001 by Rep. Jonathan Barnett – To add a temporary half-cent sales tax for state highways.
  • HJR 1003 by Rep. Donna Hutchinson – To redefine Highway Commissioner districts.
  • HJR 1004 by Rep. Jim Nickels – To repeal annual sessions and revert to biennial sessions.
  • HJR 1005 by Rep. Ann Clemmer – To require 35% of lottery proceeds to be used for scholarships.
  • HJR 1010 by Rep. Keith Ingram – To abolish the offices of Lt. Governor and Land Commissioner.

The Senate State Agencies Committee has already referred 2 measures to the joint committee for consideration. Those 2 potential amendments include:

SJR 2 by Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson would strip the independent state agency standing of the Arkansas Highway Commission and department.  The commission has its current standing due to the 1953 passage of the Mack-Blackwell amendment.

SJR 5 by Sen. Jake Files would allow cities and counties to create local sales taxing districts for the purposes of financing revenue (STAR) bonds associated with certain projects. Bond programs must be approved by voters within the qualifying districts.