Northeast Arkansas Legislators Voice Their Concerns Ahead Of Session Start

A pair of freshmen representatives-to-be and a returning House member each predicted Thursday a busy but productive session for lawmakers this year.

Reps.-elect Dwight Tosh, R-Jonesboro, and Dave Wallace, R-Leachville, as well as Rep. Joe Jett, D-Success, spoke to Talk Business and Politics about the session which starts Monday in Little Rock.

In the session, Republicans will hold majorities in both the 100-seat state House and the 35-member state Senate. Republicans will have a 64-36 majority in the House and a 23-11, with one vacancy, in the state Senate.

All three lawmakers said the session will cover a series of issues ranging from tax cuts to prisons to the private option.

REP.-ELECT DWIGHT TOSH – R
Tosh, who will represent District 52 in Craighead, Independence, Jackson and Poinsett counties, said the tax cut proposal from Gov.-elect Asa Hutchinson will be first on the agenda.

Hutchinson said last year during the campaign that he wants to cut the rates from seven to six percent for people making between $34,000 and $75,000, as well as cutting from six to five percent for people making between $20,400 and $34,000.

Spokesman J.R. Davis said specifics on the proposal will be released when the session starts, but he added the issue was important to Hutchinson, the legislature, taxpayers and the economy.

Tosh, who worked for the Arkansas State Police for over three decades as a troop commander, trooper and official, also said prison overcrowding would be a major topic.

“We have to do something about prisons, either build a prison or look at alternatives. But it is something we have to address,” Tosh said.

On education, Tosh said teacher insurance and taking a second look at Act 60 of 2003, which set a 350-student enrollment limit for schools over a three year period before having to consolidate, are key issues for him.

Tosh said he would support a plan to help schools that have been closed, since the law passed, to re-open provided some issues are dealt with.

“I think they should look at some qualifiers to open and be given an opportunity to bring (it) before (the state board). Just because a law was enacted does not mean it was the right thing to do,” Tosh said. “It would be an opportunity also for them to reclaim their school.”

On the private option, Tosh said he was interested in hearing what Hutchinson has to say about the issue. Hutchinson said earlier this week that he will give a speech later this month outlining his ideas on the issue.

“My opinion has not changed,” Tosh said on his opposition to the private option. “I am representing all of my constituents in District 52. I am representing the people whose premiums went up. I am representing the people whose insurance was dropped. And the people who are having to pay for it. I will be that voice. It is my platform and a promise I made to them (on the campaign trail). They spoke and I will speak for them.”

REP. JOE JETT – D
Jett, who will be among the 36 Democrats to be sworn in Monday in the House, said his party would provide a united front on difficult issues but would be willing to support Hutchinson and Republicans on issues where agreement can be found.

“I hope Asa can find the $100 million (for the tax cut proposal). If so, I will vote for it. He does not need Democratic support to pass it. I just want to know where the money will come from,” said Jett, who represents District 56 in Clay County.

Jett said his party has been concerned over a lack of details on the tax cut and private option proposals, with most learning about the issues in the media.

“We are committed to the middle class and certainly hope Asa can pull off (the tax cut proposal) without costing the state money,” Jett said. “We are not concerned on the number of votes (with the private option). I have reached out to (Michael) Lamoureux (incoming chief of staff to Hutchinson) and the Republican leadership. I think there is some concern over a vote coming quickly. We want everything to get done, but there is some concern over a quick vote.”

Jett said he believes there may be some concerns on both sides about a U.S. Supreme Court case, King v. Burwell, scheduled to be heard March 4 and a ruling expected in late June just days before a new fiscal year starts.

According to the SCOTUS Blog, a Washington, D.C. blog looking at Supreme Court issues, the justices will decide whether or not the Internal Revenue Service may “permissibly promulgate regulations to extend tax credit subsidies to coverage purchased through exchanges established by the federal government under Section 1321 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.”

As for the session, Jett said he believes the debate will be interesting.

“I believe the situation will dictate things somewhat. You will see the numbers flow. You will see Republicans fight Republicans on some things, but I don’t want my side to put politics over policy,” Jett said, noting his party cannot stop most bills from happening. He said he has faith in both House Speaker Jeremy Gillam, R-Judsonia, and Senate President Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy.

“They will find common ground. It is time to give honest, open debate. It is all I ask and we will see how it goes,” Jett said.

REP.-ELECT DAVE WALLACE – R
Wallace, who will represent District 54 including Mississippi and Poinsett counties, said he believes the tax cut proposal will hit legislators’ desks early on.

On the private option, Wallace said it will require a lot of thought but lawmakers have to do something.

“It is important, but after all of those issues are done, we should listen to what the governor says we should do before acting,” Wallace said. “It is going to be one of the most debated issues so we should clear the deck (of other bills) before acting,” he said. “It cannot exist in its current form. I believe Arkansas and the United States should be and are the Land of Opportunity, not the Land of Entitlement.”

Another issue involves the possibility of building a $100 million prison somewhere in the state.

Wallace said he does not believe the state can afford a $100 million prison and that support for the project will be difficult. He believes lawmakers will turn to other options and the judicial system for solutions.

However, Wallace said another issue may be in the forefront when legislators head to Little Rock.

“I’ve spent the last two days in Little Rock at hearings listening to department heads. I would have to say that for the services offered versus the tax dollars spent, we are dead last,” Wallace said. “There are some studies that show that. … It seems like the departments dust off the old budgets, year after year. They may get $10 one year, for instance, and ask for $10.50 the next. We are going to take a hard look at the department budgets; and they will be asked to justify their spending. In the corporate world, where I have been for many years, if you have a bad quarter, you have to cut 10 to 15 percent sometimes with tears in your eyes.”