Arkansas House District 81: Grulkey and Harris

The race for Arkansas House of Representatives District 81 pits challenger Wolf Grulkey (D) against Rep. Justin Harris, R-West Fork, in a contest where job creation will be the top issue for both candidates.

Grulkey believes that "Gov. Beebe's course is the one to follow" for job creation and said he will work to make sure that happens. Grulkey also wants to focus on "education and social services." Harris said he will focus on jobs by targeting lower state income tax rates. "How do we pay for it? Once rates are lowered, we will start to see more jobs created. The more jobs created, the more tax revenue we will see come to Arkansas," Harris said.

These responses were part of a survey conducted by The City Wire in anticipation of the 15 contested state legislative races. Candidates were asked about the top issues in their district, legislative goals for the next term and why each believes they are the right candidate for the position. They were also asked to answer “Yes,” “No,” or “Don’t Know” to a range of issues likely to surface in the 2013-2014 General Assembly.

The candidates' full, unedited responses are below.

Wolf Grulkey
• What are the top issues in your district?
Jobs would be the top issue followed by education and social services. This is a tough economy and Arkansas has done much better than other southern states, however there is much more to be done. I think that Gov. Beebe's course is the one to follow and will work with him to improve the situation across the board.

Hardworking Arkansans are hurting as rising gas prices have had a significant impact on the farmers and ranchers of District 80 as well as employees who travel over great distances to work and shop.

• What are your legislative goals for your next term if elected?
I would like to institute a Combat Veteran's Court modeled after our current Drug Courts.  I think that combat veterans, police and emergency responders charged with crimes should be taken out of the regular judicial system where we can get them the care and rehab they deserve. I also would like to see a "Buy Arkansas First" initiative to provide incentives to Arkansas companies when funding public projects before spending money out of state.

• Why do you think you are the best person to represent your district?
I have been involved in politics for 40 years as an editorial cartoonist and essayist. I have the time and energy to devote to public service and think that I can represent the people of the district positively at the state level. I am not running for personal gain or what can be gleaned from the state. If elected, and I cannot make a difference for rank and file Arkansans, I won't run for a second term.

YES-NO-DON’T KNOW RESPONSE – Grulkey
Each candidate was asked to provide a yes, no or don’t know response to the following four questions. Anything other than one of the three responses was not accepted.

• If budget conditions allow, would you vote for renewal of the Quick Action Closing Fund?
Yes

• Are you for the Nov. 6 ballot item that would raise the Arkansas sales tax rate by a half-cent (0.5%) to fund more than $1.8 billion in Arkansas road improvements during the next 10 years?
Don't Know

• Would you support tougher ethics laws for Arkansas Legislators?
Yes

• Would you support expansion of Arkansas’s Medicaid program using federal dollars as part of the new federal healthcare law?
Yes

Rep. Justin Harris, R-West Fork
• What are the top issues in your district?
The number one issue for Dist. 81 is jobs. Over the summer, the district saw the closing of Whirlpool in Ft. Smith. This left many in the District unemployed for the first time in many years. The state of our economy has not allowed many of them to find other employment. What can we do to help? One way to help is to lower the State Income Tax. This would lower the rates on all Arkansans, but we would also see a decrease in rates for the business community. This would allow for businesses to hire more people, but it would also keep jobs in Arkansas. Many businesses are leaving Arkansas, because we rank 39th in being friendly to businesses due to our tax rate. Unemployment remains at 5.9% in NWA, but in the Alma area it is much higher at 7.8%. I will work hard at creating a business friendly environment, so we can see a lower unemployment rate in Dist. 81. How do we pay for it? Once rates our lowered, we will start to see more jobs created. The more jobs created the more tax revenue we will see come to Arkansas.

• What are your legislative goals for your next term if elected?
The greatest issue we will face in the 89th General Assembly is the $400 million dollar shortfall in Medicaid. At the beginning of this year we were told the amount was $120 million, by the end of Feb. It was $400million. This was told after I fought against the Governor’s Budget, which did not address the issue. We cannot have a balanced budget if we have a looming debt facing us. There are several ways we can fix the problem. First, look at the efficiencies of the programs. Cut at the top, those making $100,000 plus, streamline services without cutting constituent services. Time and time again, I have seen Democrats protect their cronies in administrative roles, but seem quick to cut services of those in need. I am also part of the Republican House Caucus’ Policy Committee that is implementing “The SIMPLE Plan”. The Plan addresses Medicaid Fraud and many other issues. For every 1% in detecting fraud, we save tax payers $50 million. This could help seal the massive leak happening in Medicaid. The plan can be seen at www.Arhouse.org. I have other legislation drafted to help protect our 2nd Amendment Rights and to give local Public Schools more control of what happens at the local level.

• Why do you think you are the best person to represent your district?
I believe any person running for political office should have courage, conviction, integrity, and the ability to listen to constituents. I have shown in the 88th General Assembly that I have all of these qualities. I have never run from debate and controversy, and I believe it is healthy for a thriving democracy. For too long politicians say one thing on the campaign trail and do another in Little Rock. The number one comment I get from people at the grocery store, church, and members of our communities, “Finally, someone who said they would do something and actually did it!” The time I have spent in the Legislature has come with sacrifices for me and my
family, but it has been worthwhile to help constituents and future generations of Arkansans. I fought against redistricting, Obamacare, while passing stricter sex offender laws, and helping pass $35 million in tax cuts for everyday Arkansan!

YES-NO-DON’T KNOW RESPONSE – Harris
Each candidate was asked to provide a yes, no or don’t know response to the following four questions. Anything other than one of the three responses was not accepted.

• If budget conditions allow, would you vote for renewal of the Quick Action Closing Fund?
Yes

• Are you for the Nov. 6 ballot item that would raise the Arkansas sales tax rate by a half-cent (0.5%) to fund more than $1.8 billion in Arkansas road improvements during the next 10 years?
No

• Would you support tougher ethics laws for Arkansas Legislators?
Yes

• Would you support expansion of Arkansas’s Medicaid program using federal dollars as part of the new federal healthcare law?
No