Group Pushes for Voter Approval Amendment on Tax Hikes
by November 22, 2011 6:28 pm 132 views
A group of conservatives has begun a push for a new amendment to the state constitution that would essentially require any tax increase by the state plus any county or city in Arkansas to seek approval from the voters to do so.
Glenn Gallas, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination in the Fourth Congressional District in 2010, highlighted the effort on the Dave Elswick Show on KARN on Tuesday afternoon. Gallas said that the text for the amendment and ballot title has been submitted to the Attorney General for approval. Once approved, supporters will need to obtain 78,133 signatures from registered voters in Arkansas to qualify for the ballot next November.
The “Voter Approval Committee, Inc.” registered with the Arkansas Secretary of State this month and has Little Rock attorney and former Republican State Rep. Mark Riable listed as its registered agent. The website “Arkansas Tax Amendment” lists the following proposed text of the amendment (not sure if this is the final text submitted to the Attorney General.)
Be it enacted by the People of Arkansas that the Constitution of Arkansas is amended as follows:
Neither the State of Arkansas, nor any County, Municipality, City, or any political subdivision or instrumentality thereof, shall impose or collect a new tax, increase the rate of an existing tax, or renew or extend an existing tax, unless the voters of the jurisdiction to which the new tax, rate increase of an existing tax, or renewal or extension of an existing tax shall apply has first approved it by a majority vote.
This amendment shall not cancel or nullify any tax legally in effect at the time of this amendment’s passage.
Any election to impose a new tax, increase the tax rate of an existing tax, or renew or extend an existing tax, may be held only in even-numbered years on the date of the state-wide primary election or the general election, or in odd numbered years only on the Tuesday following the first Monday of November or the third Tuesday of May.
This Amendment supersedes any and all other Acts, Amendments and Laws of the State of Arkansas in conflict herewith.
The provisions of this Amendment are severable in nature. Should any provision be held unenforceable or void, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.