Has Arkansas Been "Kucinich'd"?

Want to talk about ethics reform?  How about insisting that our lawmakers adhere to the laws already in place and stop using power inappropriately?  Talk about a bunch of wheeling and dealing. What I witnessed today in the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee would have made even the toughest bookie in Chicago blush. From my vantage point it  dishonored our state, those who serve and those who vote. It was very similar to what Sen. Blanche Lincoln pulled on the people of Arkansas with her famous cloture vote for the federal healthcare law, which is why we are even discussing SB113 in the first place!

As I talked about  yesterday SB113 was presented to that committee this morning. Rep. Wardlaw (D-Warren), a man who took an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of Arkansas, successfully added (11-8 ~Roll Call below) a “hostile” amendment, called a “poison pill” by Rep. Barry Hyde (D, N.LittleRock). The amendment added the language "in cases of rape, incest or severe conditions" to SB113, which clearly conflicts with Amendment 68 in our State Constitution.  This move by Rep. Wardlaw thwarts the law and will of the people of Arkansas.

I know I know but George Bush did it, this has happened before—and certain those I agree with politically have probably taken part in this type of shenanigan previously—but it should not be tolerated, it is outrageous and smacks of back-room deals that rival anything every seen by the likes of Rod  Blagojevich.

Several legislators such as Rep. Mayberry (R, Hensley) and Rep. Lea (R, Russellville) made the point that voting on the bill with the amendment would make the entire bill unconstitutional. For that reason the bill was tabled. Umm, isolated incident I'm sure.

The members of that committee need to hear from you. In my opinion the blatant disregard for our Constitution and the voters of Arkansas by offering an amendment that clearly circumvents the law, is just plain wrong.  Is this not one of the major issues voters have been infuriated over: lawmakers not abiding by the law, trampling on our Constitution and overthrowing the will of the people?

The Arkansas State Legislature is not Burger King where you can “have it your way.” Our legislators are supposed to follow the rule of law. There are deep currents running underneath our Capitol, for power and control, that if not stopped will cause our system of government to fail.

Regardless of where you stand on the issue of SB113, the fact that legislators would “play games” so that bills are not voted on based upon their own merits violates, in my opinion, the very system we treasure and is symptomatic of the challenges that face our governments on every level. 

Some interesting asides:

• Arkansas Insurance Commissioner, Jay Bradford (also a former State Senator) who is appointed by Governor Beebe, showed up unexpectantly to testified to the findings of an informal survey. The data of which is completely immaterial to the bill. LOL wonder if he knew that?

• Rep. Jeff Wardlaw must be a legislative wonder, being a freshman and already so versed in the infamous “poisonous pill kill”. 

• Rep Gary Smith and Rep. Sheilla Lampkin were both co-sponsor on the bill. Late last night Rep. Lampkin requested to be removed. She and Smith both voted for the hostile amendment today. They certainly did not realize that would kill the bill?

• Representatives Wardlaw and Lampkin were the only two Democrats that voted in favor of Rep. David Meeks’ healthcare bill, I was told that something resembling Dennis Kucinich’s Air Force One ride took place for the pair shortly after. Could their actions today have been an amends(ment) for that vote? 

HOUSE PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE


Rep. Linda S. Tyler, Chair


Members who voted FOR Hostile "Poison Pill" Amendment 
Rep. Fred Allen 

Rep. Clark Hall 
Rep. Jeff Wardlaw 
Rep. Sheilla Lampkin 
Rep. Buddy Lovell 
Rep. Garry Smith 
Rep. Mark Perry 
Rep. Greg Leding 
Rep. Tracy Pennartz 
Rep. Charolette Wagner 
Rep. James Word

Members who voted NO on Amendment
Rep. Billy W. Gaskill      
Rep. Butch Wilkins          
Rep. Barry Hyde           
Rep. Andrea Lea             
Rep. Stephanie Malone     
Rep. Andy Mayberry  
Rep. Jon Woods  
Rep. Bryan B. King