~Tax Nazi Loses to Minority Majority~

You've heard of the Soup Nazi right, well Governor Beebe is the Tax Naxi. He has been working non stop behind the scenes to control what happens at the State Capitol.

He has supposedly used all the (dirty) tricks of the trade, ie. back room meetings, lobbyist pressures, out right threats, public appearances with state dignitaries and more, but so far to no avail.  And the results were EPIC~ three tax cuts passed through the Arkansas House of Representatives  with what I am now calling the minority majority! 

I was so fortunate to be there and watch (you can witness here) as 53 of our elected officials held the line for the people of Arkansas, 8 (correction there were 9) of them, Democrats, at a very high price. (Vote Roll Call) The[y] voted for HB1002 a bill that would reduce the capital gains tax in our state. The Governor made it very clear that this was not going to happen. (see post from Tuesday)

I assume that these 53 legislators took very seriously the events of Nov 2nd  where history was made in our state (Arkansas, Can They Hear Us Now?)and realize that times are a changin. 

Day after day there are literally hundreds of people walking the halls of the Capitol that are there for one reason and one reason only, to be a visual reminder to those casting the votes that the people of Arkansas are now fully engaged. Arkansans are determined to make sure our state government is run~ of, by and for the people, regardless of what the Governor and his cohorts want to believe. 

We are under no delusion that this will happen over night and are very cognizant of the fact these bills still have to make it through the Senate and ultimately pass the Governor, but what is important is that just like the Little Engine That Could, citizens are realizing that the power is with the people, if , and only if, they choose to exert it. 

Here are some of the amazing details of the event from state bloggers. I encourage you to read, it really is one for the history books:  "Arkansas's Iron Curtain, Revisited", "Conservative Majority Passes Tax cuts in Dramatic House Session", and "Tax Cut Bills ass House Panel"

Trickle Down Goofy Voodoo Economics? What??

Dear Governor Beebe, the people of Arkansas would like you to know that we are not buying your political jabber jawing about budget cuts. To say there is no room to improve our fiscal situation is counter to our core beliefs and flies in the face of truth, according to numerous newspaper headlines we have read over the last year.

In a speech this past weekend you said to the Democratic Party of Arkansas Executive Committee:

“We are in the midst right now of discussion and negotiations and threats and counter threats about actions that people want to take primarily on the Republican side of the ledger that potentially impact our ability to deliver essential services or keep this budget balanced like we are talking about,” (read about balanced budget)

Your definition of essential services evidently differs from most Arkansans in that, we would not define essential services as $400,000 spent by just eight of our legislators last year alone on travel and expenses? 

Or the 658 vehicles at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for only 613 employees. 

Nor the bloated $324,000 a year salary we pay to the Lottery Director,  Ernie Passailaigue, whose base pay should be $141,603 a year, but the Lottery Commission has been paying him $324,000 a year thanks to an optional multiplier included in the state’s lottery law, which CONSEQUENTLY, according to a statement from Attorney General Dustin McDaniel on February 7th, Arkansas law “expressly prohibits."  

Pretty sure not many Arkansans you would find that your  $5,000,000 private jet and pilot are an essential service . Being one of the poorest states in the union not many have a private jet at home.

In 70 of our 75 counties median household incomes dropped 6.9% from 2000 to 2009 according to the U.S. Census Bureau and you, Governor are telling us you can't cut your budget?

I would say the math is not the problem, but your definition of “essential”.

More SB183 Shenanigans~

Being Valentines Day I found this wonderful  Hershey's chocolate Kiss which reminded me of some SB183. An enigma wrapped in a riddle shrouded in mystery, much like an earmark wrapped in a fee (tax) shrouded in a bill, . 

Last week I told you about the miss recorded votes of Senators Bledsoe and Dismang after this bill sailed through the Senate with a 27-7 vote talley (should have been 25-9). 

This sent conservatives around the state into a tissy because if passed it will double fees for car titles, for all Arkansans, to help increase funding for the Arkansas State Police retirement system. 

But I am wondering what buildings have to do with Arkansas State Police retirements? In Section 3 of this bill we switch from talking about retirement to talking about some 1995 building fund and depositing $920,000.00. 

Voters made it very clear that they will not stand one more increased tax, fee, levy, whatever you wanna call it.

Today the Arkansas House passed over this bill, which means, as far as I understand it, that they didn't want to deal with it today so they "passed over" it and will vote on it another day.

This gives citizens time to reach our representatives and share with them your thoughts on this bill. 

Roll Call~

I will be at the Capitol for the next few days. Here is the schedule for the week. If you want to get a real feel for what is happening during the session I would encourage you to sign up on Twitter. It is very simple and is completely free. When you set it up follow me @llmasterson and be sure and visit the hashtag #ARLeg. You will see messages from tons of people attending committee meetings, talking with legislators and discussing bills~
If you would like to find out how to use Twitter, you can visit American Majority's page "Twitter for Beginners"













TAX TUG OF WAR


This week is expected to be one of the more exciting at the legislature, especially concerning taxes. 
You may recall in Governor Beebe's State of the State address where the Governor said" 

Beyond that [half-cent grocery tax cut], I don't see any room for additional tax cuts or significant increases in program funding. If we are to retain the enviable national position we now hold, we must remain cautious and conservative. If you make a proposal that seeks to cut revenue or increase spending, the only responsible approach is to state precisely where that money is coming from. If the proposal calls for a tax cut, then it is only fair to detail exactly which existing programs you will cut to offset that loss in funding. Abstract claims of hypothetical future growth don't change the immediate impact that a tax cut will have on state revenues and state services. 

But legislators seem not to be detoured by the strong warning of the Governor, over the next few weeks they will be proposing more than $217 million in tax cuts. Evidently many listened to the masses of people who sent a very clear message on Nov. 2nd demanding lower tax, less government and more fiscal responsibility.

Our tax loads in Arkansas are among the most burdensome in the nation. We are 39th in state business tax climate  the worst of 7 states in this region, Louisiana being the closest at 36th. Our state and local sales tax rates put us in the top 10 of highest taxed, ranking in at #9. 

Not exactly the top 10 list we were striving to make.

On Tuesday Rep. Ed Garner  (R- Maumelle) will present HB1002, a bill that will reduce the capital gains tax. Right now Arkansas's Capital Gains tax is 4.9% compare this to other states in this region~Texas and Tennessee have no income tax and therefore no capital gains taxes. Mississippi and Oklahoma have eliminated capital gains on in-state investments.


On Thursday Senator Gilbert Baker (R-Conway) hopes to present his bill SB274, which would raise the sales tax exemption on used cars from $2,500 to $5,000


Other tax cuts proposed include a $8.9 million sales tax exemption on manufacturer's or dealer's rebates for cars, a $3.8 million cut in the sales tax manufacturers pay on utilities and a $3.7 million tax cut for head of household taxpayers with two or more dependents.


Many of the committee meetings will there bills will be discussed are stream live at http://www.arkansashouse.org/. I will update my blog as much as possible, do consider getting on Twitter it is an essential tool of communication for those wanting to become more informed and engaged!






SPEAKING OF SOCIAL MEDIA~ 


Think Social Media is just for kids or people who play farmville?~ Think again~ "It's a Facebook Revolution," said Akhnoukh. "That's what changed the future of Egypt. Facebook. It's as simple as that."

Being someone who's job description requires the use of social media I have found the web site "Mashable" to be quite useful. A story caught my eye this morning, "How We Use Social Media During Emergencies" , expressing that same sentiment about the importance social media played in the crisis in Egypt. 


Journalist at the BBC have been told to use social media as a primary source of information. According to a story in the Guardian,  Peter Horrocks, director of BBC Global News instructed his staff in February of 2010 "to make better use of social media and become more collaborative in producing stories."
He was quoted in the story as saying:

"This isn't just a kind of fad from someone who's an enthusiast of technology. I'm afraid you're not doing your job if you can't do those things. It's not discretionary"

It's like anything else new a little intimidating at first but then just like that microwave, VCR and now the ever popular Netflix once you have it you will wonder how you ever got by without it!

I invite you to join people from across Arkansas, some of America’s foremost free-market voices and top experts on grassroots mobilization, in a massive show of force for our shared belief in lower taxes and more limited government.that will gather on February 24th at the Second Annual Defending the American Dream Summit. 

Register Today!

Morning Roll Call~ News You Need to Know

Majority Required to Raise Taxes

Thank you to Senator Jason Rapert (R-Bigelow) who has filed a constitutional amendment, SJR4 that would require a ¾ vote from both houses of the legislature in order to raise any tax.

As it stands, the amendment would require a ¾ vote from the Arkansas Senate and a ¾ vote from the Arkansas House in order to raise any tax, but would only require a simple majority vote in order to lower taxes or make changes to tax breaks and exemptions.

If passed this will be on the ballot for the 2012 election.

Legislators File "Good Government" Bill  

Arkansas hospitality and tourism officials are not happy about two proposed bills in the Arkansas Senate. These bills, SB180 and SB212 make it so cities and counties have to put A&P taxes to a vote of the people and revisit the tax every four years.

LOL... you can imagine the guys that run this show not being very happy about having to actually having to make a case to the folks footin the bill to raise taxes, what a novel idea.

To read more on this go here.

I invite you to join people from across Arkansas, some of America’s foremost free-market voices and top experts on grassroots mobilization, in a massive show of force for our shared belief in lower taxes and more limited government.that will gather on February 24th at the Second Annual Defending the American Dream Summit. 

Register Today!

     

           FEED

Region8News9:01am via TweetDeck

County population changes in Arkansashttp://bit.ly/giecYN

thecitywire8:48am via twitterfeed

Local Wire: Fort Smith market share for Bank of the Ozarks drops 52%: Reducing deposits requiring collateral and... http://bit.ly/ibdyh3

lobbyup8:12am via Web

New Lottery Bill headed to House Floor:http://lobbyup.com/hb1302

lobbyup8:07am via Web

Up Monday in Senate TTLA Committee: SB129 - To Provide for Internet Broadcast of Senate Committee Mtgs : http://lobbyup.com/sb129

5NEWS7:51am via Web

The Underground World Of Prostitution In Bentonville: http://bit.ly/gw9Obs

ArkansasOnline

7:12am via twitterfeed

Conditions on state highways improving: The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department reported Friday... http://bit.ly/dGFA7g

todaysthvFeb 10, 11:03pm via TweetDeck

Census numbers show Pine Bluff population falls, Jonesboro rises http://tinyurl.com/4c4q8cm M: http://tinyurl.com/4dd7wc7

Morning Roll Call~ News You Need to Know

From Talk Business~ PRISON REFORM BILL NEARING PUBLIC RELEASE


An omnibus bill aimed at controlling Arkansas' ever-growing prison population is nearing a first public viewing at the state legislature.

Last week, Talk Business provided a preview of the measure, which hopes to refine the state's criminal justice system in an effort to save nearly $1 billion. (Read More...)

UPDATE- Elimination of Lt Gov. and Land Commissioner


Yesterday I told  you about HJR1010 a resolution to eliminate the Constitutional offices of Lt. Gov and Land Commissioner. Lt Gov. Mark Darr gave a comment to Jason Tolbert:

“I believe most Arkansans are hopeful that we can put the partisan rancor of the last election behind us and start the business of governance in earnest,” said Darr. “It makes no sense to clothe partisanship in a facade of government ‘efficiency’. It is my sincere hope that we can all find a way to work together to meet the needs of the people of Arkansas in the areas of job promotion, lower taxes and transparency in government.”

Step in  Sen. Robert Thompson Tuesday, filing SJR7  a resolution to: TO ABOLISH THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF STATE LANDS; AND TO ALLOW  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO SET THE SALARIES  FOR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS.


Note: Neither of these bills would take place until 2019, when current office holders are term-limited.

AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY:
 DEFENDING THE AMERICAN DREAM SUMMIT

Today the voices of average Americans are being drowned out by lobbyists and special interests. The result: policies that are threatening to destroy the American Dream – higher taxes and out-of-control government spending, job-killing regulations, and endless red-tape.

The good news to all of this is you CAN do something about it! You can send a powerful message to the politicians, special interests, and the mainstream media by taking part in the 2nd Annual Defending the American Dream Summit - Arkansas.

On February 24, you can join America’s foremost free-market voices, top experts on grassroots mobilization, and Arkansas’ largest gathering of grassroots leaders from across the state in a massive show of force for our shared belief in lower taxes and more limited government.

The Summit will take place on February 24 at:
Robinson Center Exhibition Hall
7 Statehouse Plaza
Little Rock, AR 72201

Confirmed Speakers Include:
Tim Phillips, President of Americans for Prosperity
Herman Cain, Radio Personality and Fox News Contributor
Dave Elswick, Arkansas Radio Personality
John Fund, Columnist with The Wall Street Journal
French Hill, CEO of Delta Trust & Bank
Chris Horner, Senior Fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute
Erik Telford, RightOnline and Featured Columnist for The Washington Times
Virginia Walden-Ford, Executive Director of D.C. Parents for School Choice
Multiple State and National Legislators

Summit Highlights:
The Latest Arkansas Budget Report
Book signings with Herman Cain and Grover Norquist
Question and Answer Sessions
Network with Leading Activists from Across Arkansas

Register Today!

     

           FEED

4029news12:08pm via twitterfeed

Historic Snowstorm Becomes More Puzziling: (Image on our Super Doppler Radar around 8am February 9, 2011) This... http://bit.ly/ezFRfh

KATVNews12:07pm via twitterfeed

Ark. House committee rejects open carry proposal http://bit.ly/fnOmdu

thecitywire11:49am via twitterfeed

Local Wire: 170-page plus prison reform bill almost ready: Editor’s note: Roby Brock, with our content partner T... http://bit.ly/fxMH7m

ArkansasBuzz11:32am via twitterfeed

Average Rate on 30-year Mortgage Hits 5.05 Percent http://bit.ly/hoa7BJ

RepEdGarner11:54am via Facebook

The business/investment community is calling Senators on Senate Revenue & Tax Committee to encourage them to vote...http://fb.me/LFCstkMS

They've Got an Eye on You~ Medical Registry~

(Cue up spooky music) DOM-DOM-E-E-E…How would you feel about a national registry with your entire family’s medical information in it? States all over the nation are either already implementing or , as is the case in Arkansas, dealing with the issue of "expanding immunization registry" now. 


Today the Arkansas House put our state one step closer. They  passed 88-8, HB1317, filed by Rep Linda Tyler  (D-Conway), AN ACT TO EXPAND THE IMMUNIZATION REGISTRY TO BETTER PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF ARKANSAS.




Protect us from what? I wonder if the men and women that passed this one actually read this bill carefully and realized the implications of it's passage.

Here's some background. There was a similar bill filed in 2007, HB2025 by Rep Sandra Prater (D-Jacksonville). It was defeated in the House Public Health Committee.  One of the distinct differences in the two is that the 2007 version offered an "opt-out", the new and improved version, not so much.

Bills like this tend to give me the hebbie jebbies, and remind me of the book "1984" 

The Department of Health is the gatekeeper of the information, which according to the bill is not restricted to a particular use, not only that they are not required to share this data with the parents. I hear Scooby Doo in the background now going RUH? 

What about the doctor client privilege? In section 1 paragraph 2 it reads “Immunization records shall include data as specified by the department.”  What data? What specifications?

I am sure that this information would never be used by our government for any other reason than that intended.

What is even more disconcerting is the mandatory submission. Here is the verbiage starting on page 2:

 Duty of providers — Penalty.

A provider shall register with the Department of Health the intent to administer childhood immunizations to an individual under twenty-two (22) years of age under guidelines established by the department.

A provider shall report to the department the administration of a childhood immunization to any person an individual under twenty-two (22) years of age.

A provider may report the administration of adult immunizations to the department.

Not only will childhood immunizations be registered but this bill includes adult immunizations as well and the provider is the decider of submission not the adult. Sound like overreaching government? Does this help or hinder business? And just who do you think the “providers” will pass the cost of implementation and enforcement on to?

Unlike the 2007 version this bill implements a $25.00 fine for those who do not “participate”. Sound a little Stalinish? Who will enforce this? Will be have the immunization police or the registry squad?

This bill is now in the hands of the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee, might behoove the citizens of Arkansas to get in touch with these lawmakers and discuss the particulars of this bill.

If you care to read a little more here is an article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette written on this topic in August of last year. Seems the Governor was also worried about privacy and cost.

GET INFORMED AND ENGAGED!