‘Veteran’ Fayetteville, Fort Smith lawmakers pull double duty

In the era of term limits, it doesn't take long to find yourself in the seat of power at the Arkansas legislature.

Rep. Uvalde Lindsey, D-Fayetteville, and Rep. Tracy Pennartz, D-Fort Smith, have chaired two of the most powerful committees in Little Rock during the 2012 fiscal session, a major achievement for two "veteran" lawmakers.

Lindsey and Pennartz, both in their third and final two-year terms in the House of Representatives, have picked up extra responsibilities this session with the absence of Rep. Kathy Webb, D-Little Rock, the House chair of Joint Budget Committee who has been away on personal business out of state this week.

That has thrust Lindsey, vice-chair of the committee, into the spotlight.

"It's quite an honor," says Lindsey, who is vying for an open State Senate seat later this year. "The conversation has been more lively than I would have expected."

Joint Budget Committee is a 56-member, bipartisan, bicameral super committee of the legislature that spends weeks before any session begins reviewing agency budgets, discussing program needs with directors, and ultimately cobbling together the Revenue Stabilization Act — the omnibus budget bill that lays out all spending priorities for the state.

‘HEALTHY PROCESS’
When fiscal session began last week, a robust Republican minority put forth a counterproposal to the Governor's $4.7 billion general revenue budget recommendation, which has taken the Joint Budget Committee into new territory with its debates.

"I think open discussion of a budget that impacts everyone in the state of Arkansas is a healthy process," Lindsey said. "I quite frankly wish it had happened a little earlier in the process so we could have had the opportunity to hear more discussion from all parties as to what they perceive to be the best use of scarce taxpayer dollars."

With hundreds of appropriations bills to pour through and process, many Democrats and some Republicans felt the time to put forth budget alternatives was when the pre-session legwork was taking place.

"I always thinks there are positive things to come from any facet of life. This is a little disquieting at times. Are we going to be able to get a budget done? Are we going to have consensus? Are we going to get into a partisan fight where we effectively kill each other in the process? I hope that doesn't happen and I hope we can avoid that," Lindsey said.

LEARNING CURVE
Lindsey and his House colleague, Pennartz, have picked up Webb's slack on the House floor in the afternoon sessions of the full House. Normally, the Joint Budget chairman explains and answers questions of appropriations bills to House members before votes occur.

This session, Lindsey and Pennartz have been frequent visitors to the well of the House, where speeches are made, taking that duty off Webb's plate. For Pennartz, she's come full circle from her freshman days when she asked scores of budget questions from her House seat.

"I spent a lot of nights studying the Joint Budget process because we're only here for a short time as House members. The learning curve is steep and I can remember when I fell asleep reading bills and looking at budgets in my rocking chair," Pennartz recalls. "But I always felt it was important to be knowledgeable and informed when I took a vote."

Pennartz, who is also vying for a State Senate seat this fall, chairs the powerful Special Language Subcommittee of the Joint Budget Committee. Special Language doesn't get much press attention, but it may be the most influential committee of any at the state capitol. It is the place where state agencies insert provisions that dictate where money is directed within an agency. Members often describe the panel's work as the "fine print in the contract" of state budgets.

As chair, Pennartz has great sway over special requests and subtle changes in agency budgets.

"I would see myself on the bus, I wouldn't say I'm in the driver's seat," Pennartz says. "As someone who has been here for 5 years now, whatever I can do to clarify and make accountable the money we do spend on behalf of the people of Arkansas — that's my fiduciary responsibility."

MORE INCLUSIVE PROCESS
Pennartz thinks the row between the Joint Budget Committee's push for Gov. Beebe's proposed budget and the Republican alternative underscores the effectiveness of the panel's rules.

"I think there's always room for improvement, but let me say that the processes and procedures that the Joint Budget committee has set up are there to encourage and let each member know that they can bring an idea or amendments that they have about how we spend money and where it should go to represent their constituents," Pennartz said.

Lindsey said he thinks the heated debate could encourage a fresh look at how legislators approach the budget process.

"We've got to be more inclusive in the process year-round. The process of remembering the nuances of budgeting doesn't translate, doesn't stay with the members a year at a time," Lindsey said. "As you know, money drives this governmental boat. The ship is not easily turned, but I think the voters are telling us they want state government to be effective and efficient, And they want it to do things it needs to do. And money makes that all happen.”

Continuing, Lindsey said: “Our challenge in the House and the Senate going forward is to develop a way that we can collectively work together and not with rancor and not with a spirit of gotcha, but with a spirit of cooperative effort with the best interest of the taxpayer of the state in mind."