Hutchinson Receives Small Business Endorsement, Promises Effort On Tort Reform

Republican gubernatorial candidate Asa Hutchinson received an endorsement from the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) on Tuesday and promised to pursue tort reform if elected Governor.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, accounting for about 97% of all employers in Arkansas, which is why, running to be the ‘Jobs Governor,’ I am thrilled to receive this endorsement from the NFIB,” Hutchinson said at a press conference in downtown Little Rock a few hours before a televised debate with Democratic nominee Mike Ross.

“Arkansas needs jobs, and I have an effective and concrete plan that will actually work for all Arkansans. My plan will not only help attract and keep business here in the Natural State, but it will also encourage entrepreneurship and provide the critical economic growth necessary to sustain that growth for generations to come.”

NFIB Arkansas director Sylvester Smith said that part of his group’s decision was based on a committee vote Ross made in 2009 that allowed a version of health care reform to progress in Congress. The bill never made it into law and Ross voted against the final version of the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, and cast a vote to repeal it.

The Ross campaign quickly countered that the NFIB has been a strong supporter of Ross in previous years.

“As a former small business owner, Mike Ross has consistently earned praise from NFIB for his strong support and advocacy for small businesses in Arkansas. In fact, he received their highest honor – the Guardian of Small Business Award – both in 2010 and 2012,” said Ross spokesman Brad Howard.

Hutchinson also said in the NFIB press conference that as Governor he would push for tort reform. He said it would first require a constitutional amendment that would allow the state Legislature to have jurisdiction over limits to the judicial system.

With that authority, which Hutchinson said would require “leadership” from the Governor, the legislature could make changes such as capping punitive damages.

Howard issued a critical statement on Hutchinson’s tort reform position.

“Congressman Hutchinson is quick to amend the constitution on tort reform, but consistently opposed amending the constitution to raise the state’s minimum wage for working families. This is the latest example of an out-of-state group desperately trying to save Congressman Hutchinson’s campaign and trying to stop Mike Ross’ momentum,” he said.

Both Ross and Hutchinson have said they will vote for a proposed initiated act to raise the state’s minimum wage to $8.50 per hour by 2017.