Lawmakers in Little Rock are moving forward with the idea of forming their own panel to delve into race relations, though critics said Wednesday that the plan has been poorly communicated.
The pitch for a race relations subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council cleared that panel's Executive Subcommittee by a voice vote Wednesday, sending the proposal to a full hearing before the council this week.
The Legislative Council handles legislative business between sessions. The proposed race relations panel would have to finish its work and dissolve before the next regular session begins in 2019.
The idea was raised by Sen. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, in early June. Lawmakers at first asked for more time to review the proposal.
But since then, Elliott has not broached the subject, said Sen. Terry Rice, R-Waldron, who has scrutinized the idea.
Elliott could not attend Wednesday's meeting -- originally planned for this week but rescheduled -- because she was speaking in Washington, D.C., said Sen. Jim Hendren, R-Gravette, who has joined her in pitching the idea.
Reached by phone, Elliott said neither Rice nor any other lawmakers had approached her with their specific questions, though she noted many of her colleagues were busy. She said she would speak with council members to answer their questions before this week's meeting.
Rice, who serves as vice chairman of the Executive Subcommittee, said he wanted to wait to discuss the proposal "face to face" with Elliott. Hendren responded that it would be a mistake to delay action.
Both he and Elliott would be around this week to answer questions, Hendren said.
"I know of no committee, that is right now, having a serious discussion about how we deal with some of the challenges that we face in our culture today with race relations," Hendren said.
A successful voice vote sent the idea to the full council for consideration. Rice and Sen. Bill Sample, R-Hot Springs, voiced their opposition.
After the meeting, Rice mingled with Rep. Jim Sorvillo, R-Little Rock, and Rep. George McGill, D-Fort Smith, relaying his concerns.
He said he wanted to know if lawmakers not appointed to the committee would be able to participate in hearings -- a concern echoed by Sorvillo, who is not a member of the council.
If other members are allowed to participate, Rice said, he wanted to know if they would each be paid per diem expenses for attending meetings of the race relations panel.
According to the text of the proposal submitted to the Legislative Council, the race relations subcommittee would be made up four representatives and four senators.
There would be an equal number of Democrats and Republicans appointed by majority and minority leaders.
Hendren said he agreed with Rice that communication to explain the plan to colleagues could be improved. If the panel is formed, Hendren -- the Senate majority leader -- added that he would like to serve on the subcommittee.
Metro on 09/10/2017