For the last two weeks, with some thankful intervention from the Arkansas Supreme Court, I have written columns about the Constitutional Questions voters will face on the Nov. 8 ballots in Arkansas.
More often than not in Arkansas' history, constitutional changes have powered a more responsive and open government. Usually issue questions are faster venues than the slow and often laborious legislative changes made in a regular, special or extra special session of the legislature down in Little Rock.
But not this year, no, not in 2016. These are troubling issues.
Here are the remaining Constitutional Questions on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Issue No. 1
Terms, elections and eligibility of elected officials.
This amendment would allow for four-year terms for the county judge, sheriff, treasurer, county & probate clerk, circuit clerk, tax collector, assessor, coroner and county surveyor. The justices of the peace would not be awarded a four-year term under this amendment.
There are also clearer provisions for removal of elected officials from office, but not crystal-clear directions, under this question.
And there is also a provision against a county official also being appointed to a civil office, while serving. Not such a bad idea.
The reason why I am voting NO:
We do NOT need this amendment. County officials need to remain closer to the voters. If an official "acts out," voters quickly can put him or her out of that office at the next election.
Issue No. 2
Allowing the governor to retain power and duties when absent for the state.
This is a provision in the 1874 Constitution, which was necessary in 1874, but not today.
The reason why I am voting NO.
While this can be seen as a "no-brainer," it is not.
We need a clear definition of what actually is going on with this amendment. Eliminating the lieutenant governor office it may be said, or it is saying Arkansans can be governed by a remote cell phone call or a face-time transmission by an absentee chief executive. Only 21 states allow their governor to retain power when absent from the state. I say 'No, not enough clear reasoning for me."
Issue No. 3
Job Creation, job expansion and economic development.
This has a long ballot title, about creating ways to create jobs, job expansion and economic development.
The reason why I am voting NO.
There are too many loopholes in this amendment to allow any local chamber of commerce, intermodal councils, economic development agencies, and even local improvement districts, to enrich themselves via tax dollars. These groups can pass local and even regional taxes to fund chamber of commerce activities, job recruitment agencies, industrial park commissions and other groups. The most alarming fact is this would remove the 5 percent state general revenue cap on bond issues. It would also allow such groups to pass additional taxes on to voters to pay off a bonded debt for a project the public did not approve.
Issues No. 4 & No. 5
Issues 4 and 5 have been denied by the courts. Your vote will not count, even if you pull the lever in the voting booth.
Issue No. 6 & No. 7
No. 6 is the Medical Marijuana Amendment, while NO. 7 is the Medical Cannabis Act.
Please notice the major difference in an amendment and an act is this: An act is a state law which can be changed at a later date by the legislature by a two-thirds vote. No public vote is needed to change the act or its intent.
An amendment cannot be changed by the legislature. An amendment to the Arkansas Constitution can only be changed or repealed by another citizen-led petition drive and another vote of the people.
The biggest "What Did You Say" moment on these two competing issues is this: If both issues pass Nov. 8 -- the issue with the most votes wins.
The other issue, even if approved by majority of the voters, goes away.
I'm voting No on both.
Plain and simple. I am voting NO on Issue 1, NO on Issue 2, NO on Issue 3, NO on Issue 6, and NO on Issue 7.
The State Supreme Court said No on Issue 4 and No on Issue 5.
Let us hope for better questions in 2018.
-- Maylon Rice is a former journalist who worked for several northwest Arkansas publications. He can be reached via email at [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 10/26/2016