Better early than never
Early voting starts today in Arkansas
TODAY’S the day. To start, at least. And considering social distancing, restrictions and an expected larger turnout this year, more folks are likely to vote early this year. So here’s a roundup of our endorsements. So far.
Little Rock’s school district tax extension:
Little Rock voters will elect a whole new school board for the system in a couple of weeks. There are many good candidates running in the nine zones. Some voters won’t have an easy choice in picking a favorite in their own zone. So nobody really knows what the board will look like come January. So why are we asked to extend a property tax from 2033 to 2051? We are told because interest rates are so low right now that the district could borrow on the cheap. But who will spend the money is still anybody’s guess. Let’s wait until we know what board we have before we give it more money. We recommend No.
Issue 1:
This statewide ballot item would make permanent a 0.5 percent state sales tax to fund road improvements. And enshrine it in the state constitution. Arkansas already has one of the highest sales tax rates in the nation, and this one would have no sunset. If this issue is voted down and comes back in two years with a sunset provision, we will probably support it. We recommend No at this time.
Issue 2:
The biggest issue with this issue is that it would remove lifetime term limits from lawmakers. Currently, those serving in the Arkansas Legislature can serve 16 years, mixing and matching service in the House or Senate. Issue 2 would change that, and require that after serving 12 years in a row, the lawmaker must sit out four years before being eligible to run again.
This is the least talked-about issue on the ballot, and probably deservedly so. But we see no good reason to change the term limits law yet again. Voters are just getting used to the new rules implemented in 2014. We recommend No on Issue 2.
Issue 3:
This would change how citizens’ initiatives are put on the ballot, and change publication requirements and deadlines. Issue 3 would require those trying to get something on the ballot to collect signatures from 45 counties instead of the current 15. No matter how you cut it, that would make things more difficult for grass-roots campaigns. And it would remove the requirement that constitutional amendments proposed by the Ledge be published in a newspaper. Instead, the language is vague about notifying citizens. We have an obvious interest in having legal notices published in newspapers. But we are also opposed to efforts to lessen transparency in government, especially on an issue to be voted on by everyone. We’d recommend a No here, too.
Finally, on to things we can say yes to: Tom Cotton for re-election as U.S. senator. Even if he had major party opposition, it’d have to be some great opposition to give Arkansas a reason to vote otherwise.
French Hill for re-election as U.S. representative from the 2nd Congressional District. He’s a fiscally conservative banker at a time when the country needs more financial experts at the national level.
Bruce Westerman for re-election as U.S. representative from the 4th Congressional District. His expertise in forestry will be needed in the coming two years. For proof, look west.
In the race for Little Rock’s school board, we have been mightily impressed by a number of candidates. Including some we didn’t endorse. Parents, activists, doctors, tutors, public school graduates . . . . We have high hopes for this school board in the coming years. But we hope the teachers’ union doesn’t once again gain control of the panel and put together a list of priorities that doesn’t include “students” at No. 1. Our recommendations:
Zone 3, Tommy Branch, chair of the Little Rock Area Public Education Stakeholder Group and a former board member.
Zone 5, Stuart Mackey, graduate of Central High and parent of Central High graduates, who’s also been on several boards and committees over the year.
Zone 6, FranSha’ Anderson, a former PTA president, volunteer, activist and all-around cheerleader for the schools.
Zone 7, Norma Jean Johnson, a support of principals and principles in the schools.
Zone 9, Jeff Wood, who served as chair of the Community Advisory Board for the district and has been an activist in the community for years.