Arkansas House District 86: Leding and Scott

The race for Arkansas House of Representatives District 86 pits Rep. Greg Leding, D-Fayetteville, against challenger Brian Scott (R) in a contest where jobs and education will play large roles.

Leding believes "finding ways to attract, support, and promote start-ups is important, as is finding ways to support our small businesses," adding that "attracting the jobs our University of Arkansas graduates need and want" will keep graduates in the area. For Scott, the 2013-2014 General Assembly will be about looking "for ways to lower taxes on hard working Arkansans that are overtaxed and under-employed."

Scott also hopes to "find a fiscally responsible solution to the Medicaid Expansion after the Federal funding dissolves."

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.

Rep. Greg Leding
• What are the top issues in your district?
Fayetteville leads Arkansas on a number of issues, including sustainability and equality. Both are important to our community. We're also home to a vibrant and growing entrepreneurial environment right now, so finding ways to attract, support, and promote start-ups is important, as is finding ways to support our small businesses. We want to make sure, too, that we're attracting the jobs our University of Arkansas graduates need and want, because we want to keep their talents here in Northwest Arkansas. And making sure we continue to support Pre-K through 12th grade education is critical to ensuring that our students are prepared to be successful at the University. Fayetteville High School is once again home to more National Merit Scholarship semifinalists this year than any other high school in the state. We take education seriously here in Fayetteville.

• What are your legislative goals for your next term if elected?
I want to continue my work to prevent wage theft and human trafficking and to ensure best management practices are used in the natural gas industry. I want to find ways to support start-ups and small businesses. I want to look at pay equity measures. I want to increase access to broadband services.

• Why do you think you are the best person to represent your district?
Having been active in our community for a number of years now, I believe I've a better feel for what's important to Fayetteville. I'm fortunate to hold a number of leadership roles in the Arkansas House of Representatives, so I'm in a good position to promote our city's interests and to make sure that Fayetteville continues to lead in Arkansas.

YES-NO-DON’T KNOW RESPONSE – Leding
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

Brian Scott
• What are the top issues in your district?
The top issues in District 86 Education, Healthcare, and Jobs.

• What are your legislative goals for your next term if elected?
First, fairly represent Fayetteville in the house and stand up for the issues that are most important to the constituency of District 86 and Northwest Arkansas. Secondly, find a Fiscally responsible solution to the Medicaid Expansion after the Federal funding dissolves. Thirdly, look for ways to lower taxes on hard working Arkansans that are overtaxed and under-employed.

• Why do you think you are the best person to represent your district?
Politicians like to hear themselves talk, I want to listen to the people of Fayetteville.  As a constituent of District 86 I understand the issues firsthand and pledge to put people before politics. The issues coming up in the next legislative session are not Republican or Democratic issues they are people issues.  In order to best represent the citizens of District 86 it is crucial to be able to work across the isle and bridge the gap between the parties to guarantee the best possible outcome for Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas at the state level.

YES-NO-DON’T KNOW RESPONSE – Scott
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? (Scott was unwilling to provide a "Yes," "No," "Don't Know" answer to this question.)

• 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? (Scott was unwilling to provide a "Yes," "No," "Don't Know" answer to this question.)

• 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? (Scott was unwilling to provide a "Yes," "No," "Don't Know" answer to this question.)