Berry, Morphis flesh out their stances in District 68 race

A few months after announcing their intentions to run for an open state House seat in a district near Russellville, two Republicans facing each other in the primary have better formed their messages for the voters.

When the campaign began in early February, neither candidate offered a clear idea of what each wanted to accomplish if elected to succeed outgoing state Rep. Trevor Drown, R-Dover.

But in recent interviews, former state Rep. Stan Berry said he wants to focus on improving the state teacher retirement system, while Dustin Morphis, a supervisor at a Bridgestone plant, said his main issue is expanding vocational education.

The two meet in the May 22 primary, for which early voting began Monday. No Democrats filed for the seat, so the winner of the primary will begin a two-year term in January.

Many voters in the Russellville-area will recognize one name on the ballot for this seat. Berry, who now works in the secretary of state's office, represented a district with slightly different borders more than a decade ago, between 2003 and 2009.

Still it is Morphis, a first-time candidate, who leads the fundraising race, according to campaign finance reports available through March. He led Berry with more than $5,000 cash available to spend.

"I'm new, I want to be a new voice, I want to bring new ideas and a new way of thinking," Morphis said. "Something's telling me it's time."

Besides his stated desire to re-emphasize vocational and technical training -- he said schools are not adequately making those opportunities known to students -- Morphis conceded that his opinions about other issues affecting state government have yet to be fully formed.

"To be honest, I've had my head down running my race, and I haven't looked at very many other issues," Morphis said.

Even when asked about his plan for vo-tech training, Morphis said he would have to "look further into" specifics, and wasn't sure if the state should increase its budget for community colleges.

He said Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton both offer vo-tech opportunities that should be replicated across the state.

"I don't disagree with him," said Berry, suggesting that ideas could be found by consulting with the Arkansas Department of Education.

Berry said that despite the Legislature and state government having a "black eye" from recent scandals culminating in corruption convictions for several former lawmakers, he believes his experience will resonate with voters.

"I think the difference between me and my opponent would be that I can walk down there the first day and know how to pass legislation," he said.

Asked what legislation he had in mind should he be elected, Berry similarly declined to provide specifics, but said he has ideas in the works regarding the state Revenue Division and teacher retirement. He said that on the campaign trail, he's heard a lot from retired teachers who say their health insurance costs are overly burdensome.

On the topic of Arkansas' private-option Medicaid expansion, neither candidate had a clear position in February about the program, rebranded Arkansas Works under Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson. The health insurance program uses mostly federal funds to purchase private insurance plans for 280,000 low-income Arkansans. Still, some Republicans have balked at the cost, and annual votes to continue the program have passed by narrow margins.

Berry said the program now has his tentative support after several changes adopted by Hutchinson and the Legislature, including a work requirement. Participants have to work, volunteer or take job training for 20 hours a week to continue receiving the insurance.

"If I had to vote today, I would vote for it because I know of no other alternative to it," Berry said. "We need to keep making adjustments as the program goes on. Right now, I think it's the best thing for the people."

Morphis also said he would vote to continue the program for at least a year, though he was more skeptical about its future.

"I think in its current form it's not good money-wise for the state of Arkansas," Morphis said. "I think there's some reforms that need to be made."

Morphis said he was for "making government smaller, less taxes," but did not have an opinion on Hutchinson's plan for a $180 million income tax cut for the state's highest earners.

Berry said he hadn't made up his mind about the proposal, saying he would await to see the final report to be issued by a legislative task force to study tax cuts.

"Of course I'm for less taxes, but I think there comes a point where after we lower the taxes we have to back up and say, 'Are we good for now?'" Berry said. "Let's wait and see how this affects general revenue over a period of time."

In the ongoing debate over arming teachers as a way to protect students from shooters, Morphis said the decision of whether to go to school armed should be left up to teachers, but the state should look at hiring more school resource officers to provide protection.

Asking if schoolteachers should be allowed to carry guns, Berry declined to comment.

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Special to the Democrat-Gazette

Rep. Stan Berry

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Special to the Democrat-Gazette

Dustin Morphis

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A map showing House District 68

SundayMonday on 05/13/2018

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