Ratliff, Davis Debate Common Core In District 60 Seat

The two candidates in House District 60 are stressing their beliefs as well as their work before voters head to the polls Nov. 4.

Republican Blaine Davis of Hoxie is challenging State Rep. James Ratliff, D-Imboden, for the seat, which covers all of Lawrence and parts of Greene, Randolph and Sharp counties.

Davis, who owns a computer network business in Lawrence County, said the issue of Common Core was a reason he decided to run.

“Several states figured out how bad it is. Rep. Ratliff is on the Education Committee and did not opt out (of it),” Davis said. “Common Core has created more problems. It was not designed or made by a group of elected officials. It was made by a lobbying group in Washington, D.C. There were 29 people who wrote the math section. One was a teacher and he was a math professor at Stanford.”

Ratliff said the program, which tries to set uniform measuring of student achievement, will help the overall system.

“I taught school for 28 years and I don’t foresee it changing anything,” Ratliff said.

In a related note, Ratliff said several of the schools in his district have seen increases in students in spite of the closure of the Black Rock school last year.

“Right now, Hillcrest (which has faced questions over a possible closure if the school gets under 350 students) has over 400 students. Which is good. Also, Highland is in my district and it is growing as well,” Ratliff said.

PRIVATE OPTION
Both candidates are also divided on the issue of the Private Option.

Ratliff said the program, which will be up for a reauthorization vote during the legislative session in January, has helped people in his district.

“It has worked well and saved rural hospitals in my district. It has also cut down on the number of ER visits,” Ratliff said. “It has been a blessing in my district. There are 3,000 people in the district who did not have insurance and it has tickled them to death (to receive insurance).”

Davis said he believes the program puts the district and the state in financial straits.

“It is Obamacare Medicaid expansion and that’s all it is. It is like putting lipstick on a pig,” Davis said. “And people don’t want it.”

Davis said the program could bust the state’s budget.

“The number over the caps now is $12.5 million. They are funding tens of millions at 100 percent. You have to stop the gravy train and find out it is not gravy. You also have to live within your means. And the federal government, they can print money,” Davis said.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The area has received some good economic news in the past year or so, with the announcement of chicken producer PECO building a facility in Clay and Randolph counties.

Davis said he would like to see additional so-called trade schools open in the state, with an emphasis being placed on welding, HVAC, vehicle mechanics, plumbers, electricians and diesel mechanics.

“It makes a lot of sense to do it. We should encourage people and our kids,” Davis said, noting there has largely been an emphasis on four-year degrees in recent years. “With welding and machinery, you can go to school for 18 months and make a good living. Also, with general contractors, there are two in the Hoxie and Walnut Ridge areas. And there is one plumber in Walnut Ridge under the age of 50.”

Ratliff said the opening of PECO is expected to provide a large economic boost to the area and region.

“By 2016, they will have around 1,000 jobs. There will be an influx of housing,” Ratliff said.

Ratliff said part of the grain operation for PECO will be in Batesville and that other areas where soybeans, milo and other grains are grown will benefit as well.

Black River Technical College in Pocahontas, which is in the district, is working on a two-year maintenance degree program related to PECO, Ratliff said.

“They are on board and ready to do it,” Ratliff said. “It is a plus for the college with the technical training. There will be a big demand for jobs like mechanics and welding, and truck driving jobs. Things are going in Northeast Arkansas with the steel plant (Big River Steel) and PECO. It is 2,000 jobs. It works real well and starts real well.”