Incoming Legislators Say Private Option ‘2.0’ In Sights

The people in Arkansas sent a clear message Tuesday – deal with the issues – five incoming state legislators said Wednesday.

Reps.-elect Dwight Tosh (R-Jonesboro), Dan Sullivan (R-Jonesboro), Dave Wallace (R-Leachville), and Reps. Scott Baltz (D-Pocahontas) and Joe Jett (D-Success) all said it will be a busy 2015 legislative session.

The session starts Jan. 12 in Little Rock with Governor-elect Asa Hutchinson and other constitutional officers being sworn in the next day.

Going into Tuesday’s election, Republicans had a 51-48-1 majority in the state House and a 21-13, with one vacancy, majority in the state Senate.

The numbers were still being totaled Wednesday, but Republicans will apparently have 64 in the state House and 24 in the state Senate, leaving Democrats with 36 in the House and 11 in the capitol’s upper chamber.

Wallace, who scored one of the biggest upsets Tuesday with his 56-44% victory over State Rep. Wes Wagner (D-Manila) said the voters in his district and the state meant business.

“The folks, our voters, spoke loud and clear Tuesday,” Wallace said. “They have given us an overwhelming mandate. With the state legislature, we also have a Republican governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.”

Sullivan, who defeated state Rep. Homer Lenderman (D-Brookland) by a 53-47% margin, said voters want legislators to work on issues.

“Historically, we have been a people who want personal freedom, our independence. We want solutions to problems. And if we can’t deliver, we can expect the same thing in two years,” Sullivan said of Republicans.

Tosh said he wants to work on creating a “business friendly environment” for large and small businesses alike.

“We should make a business friendly environment for businesses, especially tax and regulatory reform. We should also offer a friendly environment for small business. As a matter of fact, we should offer the same thing (in incentives) that we offer to large businesses,” said Tosh, who defeated Democrat Radius Baker by a 54-46% margin.

Baltz, who defeated Republican Doug Driesel by a similar 54-46% margin, said he is hoping that legislators will work together once the gavel drops on the session.

“When I was elected last year (in 2012, taking office in 2013), I have never been in the majority. It does not matter to me. One person cannot do this alone. It takes 99 others in the House and 75 (on budget bills) working together,” Baltz said.

Jett said his party “had the wind knocked out of its sails” Tuesday with the huge losses in the legislature.

“Nothing has changed for us. We will fight for good, responsible government. We’ll just do it with less numbers,” Jett, who ran unopposed, said.

PRIVATE OPTION
One of the major votes for legislators come January will be a reauthorization of the so-called Private Option healthcare program.

Wallace said he believes the sight of higher insurance premiums and broken promises made the issue key on the campaign trail.

“The voters elected us not to keep the Private Option. It has been a big issue in my district and I have heard from people over and over again, about higher premiums and not being able to keep the same doctor,” Wallace said. “We have a conservative mandate. We have to do something on this. And if not, shame on us. I am an old soldier who believes in being plain spoken. I believe the legislators were using smoke and mirrors (when the bill was passed in 2013). And I believe we need to establish a conservative agenda.”

Baltz said he believes a no vote on the reauthorization bill would cause the state to look for other funding sources to keep the program going.

“I hope to keep the Private Option. I voted for it the first time,” Baltz said. “We have been able to do some great things in helping rural hospitals and people. If we do away with it, we will have to come up with $100 million. We also have to balance our budget and may have to redo the taxes. But, there is good and bad with everything.”

Tosh said he is against expanding government into healthcare.

“I am opposed to Obamacare and will continue to be opposed to Obamacare,” Tosh said. “On this, I will not waiver. We are on track, that if it is continued, it will be devastating to our state.”

Jett said the Democrats are united in their approach on the reauthorization vote.

“We will have to fight the Private Option battle again, Private Option 2.0. The budget issue is real,” Jett said, noting the Private Option helped to pay for the $100 million in tax cuts in 2013. “I just hope the new folks take a look at the budget and do not do away with the Private Option. I just hope calmer heads prevail.”

Sullivan said the issue will be one of the first things on the agenda, when legislators meet early next year.

“It will be high on the agenda. We need to work for a solution. Even the Democrats realize a need for a solution. They will say they ‘like it, but do not offer a solution.’ We (Republicans) have a majority and a governor who will lead in a strong direction. But it is unsustainable. Even Democrats agree with that. But we have to come up with a solution that will serve our people and balance the budget.”