Mike Ross proposes a review of state regulations

LITTLE ROCK— Democratic gubernatorial nominee Mike Ross on Thursday proposed reviewing all Arkansas rules and regulations that have been on the books for more than three years to see whether they should be revised or eliminated.

Ross made the proposal as part of a 46-page "jobs plan" he unveiled with fellow Democrat John Burkhalter, who is running for lieutenant governor. Ross faces fellow ex-congressman Asa Hutchinson, the GOP's nominee, in the November election and Burkhalter is running against Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin for the state's No. 2 job. Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe is term-limited and cannot seek re-election.

The plan reiterates several proposals Ross has made since announcing his bid last year, including an income tax cut and expanding the state's pre-kindergarten program. The focus on easing state regulations echoes similar proposals made by Hutchinson and other Republicans running for state and legislative office in Arkansas.

"I think too many times in government a rule or a regulation is adopted and then we never really go back and take a look at whether it still works or it ever worked or whether we need to continue it or get rid of it," Ross told The Associated Press after announcing the plan at a news conference in Fort Smith.

Ross proposed creating a bipartisan task force charged with coming up with recommendations within two years on which rules and regulations to keep, which to revise and which to eliminate. He also proposed requiring the state to publish all of its rules and regulations on a centralized website, and creating a central online business licensing system that he says would reduce the time it takes to start a small business in Arkansas.