Arkansas Jack's Wisdom On the Special Session to Raise Taxes

Bill Smith, ARRA Editor: Although I prefer a more perfect conservative world of less government interference, less taxes, etc.. I'm forced to face reality. For example, I backed a extremely conservative GOP candidate, then a conservative second candidate, and now I am supporting the presumptive conservative GOP nominee because the alternative is unthinkable. Even in Arkansas, conservatives are forced to adjust as situations change. But what about the GOP leadership having the moxie to know how to play the game to its best advantage? Arkansas Jack at the Banana Republic of Arkansas, addresses two perspectives related to the upcoming special session called by the Arkansas Gov. Beebe to increase the severance tax on natural gas wells.

First, Arkansas Jack highlighted the Arkansas Constitution and asked an important question: What is the Emergency:

Constitution Of The State Of Arkansas Of 1874. Article 5. Legislative Department. § 38. Taxes - Increase - Approval by electors.§ 2. None of the rates for property, excise, privilege or personal taxes, now levied shall be increased by the General Assembly except after the approval of the qualified electors voting thereon at an election, or in case of emergency, by the votes of three-fourths of the members elected to each House of the General Assembly. [As added to Art. 5 by Const. Amend. 19.]

If we have any lawyers out there, what constitutes an emergency in Arkansas? Is there something I am missing here? Does Governor Beebe have the authority to determine what is a state of emergency? Does he have to formally declare an emergency?

Seems to me that Arkansas Jack question deserved an answer. Maybe instead of just being against the severance tax, the GOP leadership should have raised this issue. Even if the minority Republican Party cannot control the political game, at least the GOP leadership can get out the rule book make sure that everyone follows the rules or at least make it clear to the public when the Democrat majority party is not following the rules which they historically established for the game.

Now the reality, with the governor calling a special session to raise taxes without a state of emergency, what is being done to stop it? Answer - nothing! I guess can we can expect future special sessions to raise non-emergency taxes. Obviously, the governor will never call a special section to cut taxes (remember the food tax that still need to be completely eliminated). Interesting that the governor determined it wasn't important enough to call a special session to stop kids of any age from getting married but now he considers it critically important to call a special session to increase the severance tax which could have waited until the next session. He appears to have feared the result of a vote by Arkansans on a potential amendment

Now accepting the realty that the special session is going forward, Arkansas Jack in The French Army has Invaded offers some practical advice:

. . . A piece of advice for those serving in the general assembly, offer some choices. Make the Democrat and Rino's vote against reducing some taxes when they (Democrats and Rino’s) want to raise them. Don’t just let them (Democrats and Rino’s) raise the tax with out calling them on it. People want to know why we Republicans can’t win elections. We don’t offer voters a real choice; we are just a bunch of “ginners”. We need to give the voters a clear plan and also show them what Democrats (and Rino’s) really want (a bigger government).

Republican should stand for smaller more efficient government, less taxes and public safety. We know the battle to raise the severance tax is over so change the debate. Make them vote against eliminating some other tax. The Speaker of the House has already floated the idea. Someone pick up the ball and run with it. ... [Read More]

AMEN Brother! Suggest you contact your state legislators and share Arkansas Jack's recommendation. Why waste a special session just raising taxes?

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