Governor Candidates Trade Barbs On Ross Visit To Jonesboro

The proverbial fireworks may have come a little later this year as two of the major candidates for Arkansas governor ratcheted up their comments on issues Wednesday.

Former Democratic Congressman Mike Ross – who is challenging former Republican Congressman Asa Hutchinson, Libertarian Frank Gilbert, and Green party candidate Josh Drake – was in Jonesboro Wednesday visiting seniors at the St. Bernards Senior Life Center on Washington Avenue.

Ross spoke to Talk Business and Politics around lunchtime Wednesday about a series of issues on the campaign trail.

“It is 62 days until November and I am here to take our positive view to all 75 counties,” Ross said.

Ross mentioned that the campaign trail has given him an opportunity to talk about issues and hear stories from people around the state.

“It is a really rewarding experience. I want to be the education governor,” Ross said of his program to expand Pre-kindergarten to all 4-year olds regardless of income or status.

Hutchinson said in a later interview that he supports fully funding the existing program.

“We have an existing pre-K program that is underfunded, and I believe we should fund what we’ve got before proposing an expansion of it,” Hutchinson said. “This is another example of Mr. Ross promising another expansion of government without telling Arkansans how he plans on paying for it.”

Ross also said he wants to expand career and vocational education training in the state.

“It will have a greater role. People can learn a skill, learn a trade and make a good living. They can get a good paying job,” Ross said. “I am a conservative Democrat who is pro-life and pro-gun. It is not about Democrat or Republican, but being an independent voice for Arkansas. I have been out there, talking about my positive view for the state. And I am proud to have the endorsement of Governor Beebe.”

ISSUES
Late Tuesday, the state Republican party issued a statement questioning Ross’ stands on several issues. On Wednesday, Hutchinson said the Ross campaign has tried to offer a little bit of everything to everyone.

“Arkansans should be concerned with a candidate for governor who goes around the state promising millions in new or expanded programs and tax cuts for every group he talks without ever explaining where the money will come from,” Hutchinson said in a statement. “Telling people you will pay for the new programs later completely undermines any credibility for those promises. Mr. Ross’ Washington style budgeting doesn’t work in Arkansas.”

The comments brought a strong response from Brad Howard, spokesman for Ross.

“Congressman Hutchinson clearly hasn’t learned his lesson from 2006 when he attacked Gov. Beebe for proposing to eliminate the sales taxes on groceries gradually as the state could afford it. Back then, Hutchinson said he would fully eliminate the grocery tax in year one (at a cost of nearly $600 million). If Congressman Hutchinson had had his way then, the state would have faced deficits and drastic cuts to education and public safety in the aftermath of the economic collapse of 2007 and 2008,” Howard said.

“Mike Ross is following Governor Beebe’s leadership and has proposed a fiscally responsible tax cut plan that will be implemented gradually as the state can afford to do so, while Asa is promising to cut $100 million in taxes in year one and then worry about balancing the budget and protecting education, public safety or Medicaid,” Howard added.

MINIMUM WAGE
Both candidates also weighed in Wednesday on a proposal to raise the state’s minimum wage to $8.50 effective in 2017.

Secretary of State Mark Martin certified the ballot request Wednesday, sending the initiative to the November general election ballot.

“Congressman Hutchinson has voted against raising the minimum wage multiple times. He has consistently opposed this question being placed on the ballot and continues to oppose raising the state’s minimum wage gradually and responsibly to $8.50 an hour. The fact that Congressman Hutchinson believes an Arkansan working 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year and never taking a day off would make too much money at $17,680 a year is more proof that he’s out of touch with working Arkansas families,” Ross said late Wednesday in a statement.

“It is ridiculous for Congressman Ross to continue attacking me on this issue as I have consistently supported raising Arkansas’s minimum wage and even publicly stated my support in December of 2013, while Mike said he was studying whether Arkansas should raise the minimum wage,” Hutchinson said.

“Furthermore, I believe it should be raised to match the federal level. Historically, the legislature periodically adjusts upward the minimum wage and it is appropriate to do so now. I would prefer that the legislature address the matter so that in the future, the minimum wage can be increased, as needed, with a simple majority which is an easier process. On the ballot initiative, if passed, it will accomplish my overall objective of seeing the minimum wage increased and any further action by the legislature will depend upon the November vote.”