C-plus, maybe B-minus

Might have to grade this one on a curve

IT SHOULD be a headline kept in type to be used each time the General Assembly of Arkansas calls it a session: “It could’ve been worse.” This one sure could’ve.

Who, besides those firmly in the pocket of the NRA, thought carrying pistols under Razorback hoodies at football or basketball games was a good idea? Thankfully, the adults showed up just in time, and amended the law before Arkansas was tossed out of the Southeastern Conference for its troubles. If there’s finally proof that the National Rifle Association has put a toe over the line, even in Arkansas, it’s that its spokespeople told the press that the newly amended law didn’t go far enough in “protecting gun rights.” Imagine the mass hysteria if an accidental discharge at Razorback Stadium sent 72,000 people to the exits at once. Or if half of them were armed themselves, and started playing Protector of the Public with their 9mms.

The amendment to exempt college stadiums from this state’s new Wild West Show didn’t get unanimous support by our lawmakers. Which might be the best evidence that a perfect NRA “A” rating is more important to some lawmakers than common sense or safety of their constituents. As somebody back East likes to end his rantings . . . SAD.

Similarly, lawmakers may have been afraid of anti-tax outfits and their rankings, too, when they voted against a bill to make online companies collect sales taxes. The tax is already on the books in this state, so this change would not have been a “new tax.” Right now, regular folks are supposed to turn in their taxes owed to the state, and of course that hardly ever happens. A bill in this session would’ve put the burden on the selling company—just as local retailers must collect these taxes. But certain lawmakers fell all over themselves coming up with excuses to not force companies to do their duty. It was fun watching certain lawmakers turn into constitutional experts and judicial authorities after a call from a Grover Norquist wannabe.

The state might miss out on another $100 million (or two) between now and the next session, when this all-too-reasonable idea comes up again to put online retailers on the same playing field with local merchants. But, hey, why worry about Arkansas’ highways, prisons, and sick folks when you need a perfect rating here and there to show the folks back home come election season?

HOWEVER, we have to admit this session wasn’t all bad. The governor is talking up the bills that cut taxes for working folks and military types. Which he should. He also signed several laws aimed at creating jobs in the state. Which he should have. Asa Hutchinson is getting the reputation of being a jobs creator—yes, sometimes they exist in government. And when folks have jobs, and contribute to society, and pay taxes, and buy trucks and eat out and buy shoes for the kids—you know, live everyday life—things seem so much better. Even our government.

Speaking of jobs, lawmakers were smart enough to quietly tip-toe by that bathroom bill, which could’ve cost this state as many billions of dollars that a similar bill cost North Carolina in the last year. Maybe our lawmakers are educable after all. Dispatches say North Carolina suffered such a backlash after it passed its bill that the governor paid for it with his job. And lawmakers and the new governor tried to stop the bleeding by repealing last year’s effort. But all that came after the Associated Press reported North Carolina’s folly cost that state $3.7 billion. Arkansas needs economic growth, not economic setback. And positive national publicity, not the other kind.

Thankfully, North Carolina provided an example. An example of what not to do.

SOME OTHER attempts at changing law during the session just made us scratch our heads and wonder . . . what the hey?

Why would lawmakers want to change the state’s shiny example of a Freedom of Information law when the law has done so much good for so many people for so many decades? There was an effort afoot this session that would’ve allowed any government apparatchik to copy the agency’s legal department on a public document then yell, “Attorney-client privilege!” That would have effectively been the death of the state’s FOIA in Arkansas.

Thankfully, there was enough outcry to shame lawmakers into shelving this idea. For now. No telling what they’ll come up with in the next session to stifle the FOIA and your right to know and the public’s ability to see public documents. Whenever the Ledge starts fooling around with the Freedom of Information law, it’s good to put a stop to it now and ask questions later. And make finally assessments after a good review of the details and some advice from the experts outside government. Rarely are government officials out to make government more transparent, so we’ve come to conclusion to never, never, give FOIA bills the benefit of the doubt. These things usually aren’t palatable from the get-go. (Once, when presented with something at breakfast he wasn’t sure about, Lincoln supposedly said, “If this is tea, please bring me some coffee. If this is coffee, please bring me some tea.” He wasn’t sure what it was, but he knew he didn’t like it.)

What kind of grade would we give the Arkansas Legislature this year? How about we take the easy way out (again) and give lawmakers the grade most teachers give when they’re sure the student tried, but there were too many missed opportunities throughout the semester? But the effort wasn’t so awful that he should be discouraged from trying again:

Incomplete.