The Arkansas House of Representatives approved a bill to end a government shutdown in Jefferson County, where employees have gone without pay for over a month. Senate Bill 182 requires local governments to operate on the previous year’s budget if they fail to pass a new one by January 1. The bill was signed into law by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and took effect immediately. Another bill, House Bill 1222, gives the state attorney general more oversight in the ballot initiative process, requiring them to decide if proposed measures conflict with federal law or the U.S. Constitution. The bill passed the House and now heads to a Senate committee.
Rep. David Ray, the sponsor of the bill, believes the current AG review process is not strong enough to prevent problematic ballot measures. However, Rep. Nicole Clowney argues that granting the attorney general the power to determine constitutionality or statute conflicts would be unprecedented and give them undue influence over the process. The bill could affect proposed tax cuts and efforts to legalize recreational marijuana in the state, as those measures could be seen as conflicting and struck down by the attorney general.
Overall, the bills passed by the House aim to address urgent issues in Jefferson County and ensure more oversight in the ballot initiative process. While some believe the new legislation is necessary to prevent excessive or conflicting measures, others are concerned about the potential impact on the democratic process. The bills now await further consideration in the Senate.
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