Democrats “Set Tone” For Fiscal Session
by January 31, 2012 1:54 pm 114 views
Democratic leaders in the state House and Senate said they were “setting the tone” for the upcoming fiscal session, which begins Feb. 13.
“We want to send the message to the people of Arkansas that we are bipartisan and we need to reach across the aisle in this session,” said House Majority Leader Rep. Johnnie Roebuck (D-Arkadelphia). “We wanted to set a tone for this session today.”
“Certainly, our work is not done, but there is a time and place for everything. Now is the time to ensure our fiscal house remains strong,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Thompson (D-Paragould), who noted that Arkansas was one of only four states to have a balanced budget in 2011.
Calling for bipartisanship and a limit to the session’s agenda, Democrats said they wanted to wrap up budget business quickly and not deviate from fiscal issues. They also said they did not want to address any tax increases in the session.
“I think what you heard today is that we cannot do anything without them [Republicans]. What you’re hearing us say is that we want to work together,” Roebuck added.
House Minority Leader Rep. John Burris (R-Harrison) said the conversation tone was welcome news.
“I think they’re right on the money,” said Burris. “I agree and I think all members of the General Assembly agree, and that’s to pass a budget that benefits the people of Arkansas.”
A contentious issue in the upcoming legislative session centers on the controversy at the Arkansas Forestry Commission, which has reported a $3 million deficit and has cut jobs to right its financial ship. Lawmakers have approved restoring 20 of those jobs, but have not settled on a funding mechanism, such as a tax increase, to support the rehires.
Today, Roebuck and Thompson said they wanted to wait until an audit report is completed to find a funding solution.
In a question-and-answer session with reporters, Roebuck said raising the fire protection tax is on the table, but she did not think it could muster the votes to pass.
State law requires the fiscal session to conclude in 30 days and limits the call of the session to budget issues, unless a supermajority of the legislators approve additional non-fiscal bills for consideration.
The two videos below are from the press conference and subsequent Q&A, courtesy of Talk Business blogger Jason Tolbert.