Gillam, Dismang Discuss Special Session At NEA Political Animals

A three-day special legislative session, which ended Thursday in Little Rock, was productive and helped put several issues at the forefront of debate in the state, two legislative leaders said Friday.

House Speaker Jeremy Gillam, R-Judsonia and Senate President Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, spoke Friday to the NEA Political Animals club at the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce office. Both lawmakers were asked questions about the special session, how the general session went and their family ties to Northeast Arkansas among other issues during the one-hour meeting.

Talk Business and Politics Editor-in-Chief Roby Brock served as moderator for the discussion. Brock asked both lawmakers their thoughts on the $87 million bond issue involving the Lockheed Martin project.

The defense contractor is in the running with AM General and Oshkosh to land a $30 billion defense contract to build the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.

If Lockheed Martin receives the contract, at least 600 jobs would be created at their facility in Camden with an average starting salary of $57,000, officials said.

Brock asked both lawmakers about Arkansas providing incentive money to “sweeten the deal”, while other states have not.

Dismang said the project started under former Gov. Mike Beebe’s administration and that each state has its version of an Amendment 82, which helps secure bonds for super projects.

However, Dismang said the positives outweigh any negatives and that the contract, if approved, would also help bring suppliers to the state.

“It is a multi-step process. It is not perfect but it is where we are,” Dismang said.

Dismang said the project would also bring vehicle production to the state.

Gillam said state economic development officials also did a “marvelous job” on adding clawback provisions and structuring the contract in order to protect the nearly 500 jobs currently at the Camden facility.

Brock said another unheralded part of the project involves the nearly $34 million a year in additional annual payroll at the Camden site, as well as $855 million in payroll over a 25-year period.

PRIMARY/FISCAL SESSION
Both lawmakers were also asked their thoughts on the move of the 2016 presidential and party primary from the customary May position on the calendar to March 1, 2016.

The bill, which was approved by the legislature, would set a March 22, 2016 runoff date as well as a Nov. 2 through Nov. 9 filing period for federal, state and county races.

Gillam said the change would give voters an added say in the presidential race, considering Arkansas’ two parties divide delegates in a proportional manner.

In addition, a separate bill, which was also approved, would move the state’s fiscal session to April 13 instead of in February.

On the fiscal session, Dismang said the later session would help lawmakers and the Department of Finance and Administration receive a better forecast on state budget numbers.

HIGHWAYS/OTHER ISSUES
On highway funding, both Dismang and Gillam said the issue is imperative.

Dismang said much of the issue involves the “instability on the federal level” as to a larger transportation bill.

Earlier this month, Congress approved a two-month extension on the highway funding bill through July 31.

Gillam said voters have supported raising taxes to fund certain projects as long as they know where the money is going.

However, a major roadblock involves a lack of legislative oversight due to the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department being an independent agency, Gillam said.

Both Gillam and Dismang were also asked about the recording of all committee votes in the legislature.

Dismang said when he served in the House, he requested roll call votes each time a measure was voted on in the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs committee.

Dismang, who said he supports the idea, said the process did not make “a lot of people happy” but opened the process.

Gillam said the House Education Committee this session had roll call votes on many votes.

However, Gillam noted a roll call vote on each committee vote for 65 committees and subcommittees could add more time to the legislature’s session.

The House airs its committee meetings and floor debate online, while the Senate added an audio feed to its website this year.

NEA TIES
Both Gillam and Dismang spoke about their ties to Northeast Arkansas.

Gillam, whose father, Dennis, served as Craighead County Judge for several years, grew up in Jonesboro and graduated from Arkansas State University, while Dismang grew up in Maynard (Randolph County).

Dismang, whose family ran cattle in the Maynard area, said he was amazed by the growth of Jonesboro in recent years.