Some proposed amendments worth consideration

Our View

Some proposed amendments worth consideration

Over the past several weeks we have stressed the importance for all registered and concerned Arkansas voters, particularly those in Crittenden County that they will be faced with the decision to vote on some very important constitutional amendments.

While citizen-initiated ballot issues on medical marijuana, casinos and medical lawsuits have received a fair amount of attention and debate there are three issues that were referred to the ballot by legislators that also need to be explained so that voters will have a clear understanding of what they will be deciding upon.

Besides citizen-initiated ballot issues that have become common during elections each legislative session in an odd-numbered year lawmakers can refer up to three proposed constitutional amendments to the following year’s ballot.

Back in 2015, for example, lawmakers referred to voters proposed amendments concerning elections, the governor’s powers when he travels out of state and government support of economic development projects.

So then, let’s explain the first of the three proposed amendments by starting with Issue 1-Elections. If approved by votes, the amendment would expand the terms of elected county officials, except for justices of the peace, from two years to four years. While we don’t generally support extended terms as in what was approved for terms in both the state Senate and House, Issue 1 is certainly worth serious consideration. This would apply to our current two-year terms of our sheriff, county judge and other elected county officials.

The amendment also would prohibit any elected county official, including a justice of the peace, from being appointed or elected to any civil office.

Issue 2-Governor’s powers, would allow the governor to retain all gubernatorial powers when out of the state. Currently, the constitution requires the lieutenant governor to serve as acting governor when the governor is outside Arkansas. This is another amendment that certainly deserves consideration based on the fact that under the current structure there has been instances of taking advantage of the power that the position grants.

Issue 3-Economic development is a multi-pronged measure aimed at easing restrictions on government support of economic development. The measure would remove a cap on bonds the state can issue for large projects, or “super projects.” The current cap is 5 percent of the state’s general revenue from the most recent fiscal year.

This too is worthy of voter consideration in that it gives Arkansas economic development officials the ability to effectively compete with neighboring states in attracting new industry and create new jobs.

Without the ability to offer such incentives puts Arkansas at a serious disadvantage, and there have been times when Arkansas has lost out to other states with more attractive offers. Because this is a major issue in every state it is imperative that Arkansas has the ability to compete.

So then, these are the three proposed amendments lawmakers are seeking our support on, and from our point of view they are all certainly worth supporting.