Governor gets 3 ballot measures

They cover exec’s powers, bonds, county terms of office

Correction: Arkansas lawmakers on April 2 delivered to the governor's office three joint resolutions for constitutional amendments that will be placed on the November 2016 general election ballot. However, this article about the proposed amendments didn't explain that no action by the governor is required. The secretary of state's office has the role of seeing that the proposals are placed on the ballot.

The Arkansas Legislature on Thursday, the final day of the 90th General Assembly, approved and delivered to the governor three proposed constitutional amendments to be referred to voters in the November 2016 general election.

The proposals are:

• Senate Joint Resolution 3 by Sen. Eddie Joe Williams, R-Cabot, that would amend the constitution to allow the governor to retain his powers and duties when out of state. Those responsibilities now fall to the lieutenant governor when the governor is out of Arkansas.

• Senate Joint Resolution 16 by Sen. Jon Woods, R-Springdale, that would, among other things, remove the cap on the amount of bonds the state could issue. Supporters say the change would help Arkansas compete for more large projects that could bring hundreds of new jobs to the state.

The amount now is capped at 5 percent of state general revenue collected during the most recent fiscal year.

Amendment 82, which was passed in 2004, allows the state to issue bonds for major projects to pay for infrastructure, land acquisition, site preparation and employee training. The incentives are designed to attract major employers. The first Amendment 82 project was Big River Steel, a $1.3 billion steel mill under construction near Osceola.

Because of that project and others, the capacity to issue bonds is close to the cap, leaving the state unable to compete in the next few years for the opportunity to attract a superproject.

SJR16 also would allow cities to issue bonds for economic development projects and allow cities with populations of 500 or more, incorporated towns, school districts and counties to form compacts for economic development.

Woods' proposal also would allow cities to appropriate money to organizations such as chambers of commerce to provide economic development services. The provision was a response to a circuit court ruling in January that such arrangements "clearly and totally" violate the Arkansas Constitution. The judge ordered the payments halted by Little Rock and North Little Rock.

• House Joint Resolution 1027 by Rep. Jack Ladyman, R-Jonesboro, that would increase the terms of county elected officials -- excluding justices of the peace -- to four years from two years; more clearly spell out what is an "infamous crime" for purposes of establishing the eligibility of someone to hold office; and eliminate the requirement that an election be held if only one candidate is on the ballot.

SJR 16 was the only measure in either chamber Thursday to run into any trouble, attracting a sizable and diverse minority of votes against it in the House of Representatives.

The amendment's House sponsor, Rep. Lance Eads, R-Springdale, said the changes to spending limits and caps on superprojects would encourage job growth and investment in the state.

But a handful of legislators from both parties voiced disagreement.

Rep. Doug House, R-North Little Rock, said the state pays a price when it gives incentives to major employers.

He used the $1.3 billion Big River Steel project as an example, noting the concessions the state had made in order to bring 500 good-paying jobs to Mississippi County.

House said that the state lost out on about $600 million in taxpayer dollars by giving tax credits, free land and other favors to make the project happen.

"I find it morally repugnant, to be quite honest," House said. "[SJR 16] is dead wrong. ... It's corporate welfare plain and simple."

Rep. Nate Bell, R-Mena, also spoke out against the bill.

"We all want more jobs in our communities ... but corporate welfare is just wrong," Bell said.

Despite those objections, the House voted 70-22 to place the measure on the 2016 ballot.

SJR3 and HJR1027 sailed through the House and the Senate, respectively, by votes of 80-0 and 33-0.

Metro on 04/03/2015

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