Arkansas House District 85: Graham and Whitaker

The race for Arkansas House of Representatives District 85 pits candidates Paul Graham (R) and David Whitaker (D) against each other in a race that, for Whitaker, will be about "jobs and the economy."

Whitaker, who in 2010 campaigned unsuccessfully for the 3rd Congressional District position, added that he would be interested in the formation of "B corporations" within the state to "allow business incorporators to voluntarily choose a form of corporate structure that allows the company, through its board and officers, to use corporate assets to be more socially responsible in their communities, without exposing themselves to shareholder lawsuits."

Whitaker also aims to enact a DWI Battery statute and work toward "a strategic energy policy, particularly by expanding the use of compressed natural gas in our large vehicle fleets."

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.

Whitaker's full, unedited responses are below. Graham chose not to participate.

David Whitaker
• What are the top issues in your district?
By far, the top issues in District 85 remain jobs and the economy. My platform for economic development calls for a two-track approach: attract existing businesses to re-locate to our District, and to promote our own home-grown small businesses and start-ups by working closely with the University of Arkansas, the cities of Farmington and Fayetteville, and both Chambers of Commerce. We must also continue to find the means to expand and upgrade our transportation infrastructure throughout the District.

• What are your legislative goals for your next term if elected?
My main legislative goals for the 89th General Assembly are to enact a DWI Battery statute, and allow the formation of so-called “B” corporations in Arkansas. Currently, our prosecutors can charge a drunk driver with either simple DWI, or the more serious DWI homicide if the crime results in the death of another.  A person who causes serious, permanent injury to another while driving drunk, can only be charged with the lesser crime of DWI. We must fix this gap in our criminal law.  The B corporation or benefit corporation legislation I am proposing would allow business incorporators to voluntarily choose a form of corporate structure that allows the company, through its board and officers, to use corporate assets to be more socially responsible in their communities, without exposing themselves to shareholder lawsuits. I am also interested in legislation to move Arkansas forward toward a strategic energy policy, particularly by expanding the use of compressed natural gas in our large vehicle fleets.

• Why do you think you are the best person to represent your district?
I have nearly a decade’s experience in local government, and strong working relationships with our community leaders. In that time, I have also earned a reputation of working well with others, regardless of their politics, to get things done. As a licensed attorney, I already know how to set aside my own interests, and advocate for the people I represent. Finally, I am the only candidate in this race who has put forth a clear platform of ideas that I believe will make District 85 and Arkansas even better places to live and work for our children and grandchildren.

YES-NO-DON’T KNOW RESPONSE – Whitaker
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?
Yes

• 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