This is part 2 of a series of reports entitled "What's the Issue?" I spoke with Craighead County Clerk Kade Holliday about the issues that are on the November ballot. We are talking about what each issue on the ballot is and what a "for" or "against" vote means. Issue number 3 is titled "An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution Concerning Job Creation, Job Expansion, and Economic Development" and Holliday says that this issue is a little complex.
Talk Business and Politics reports that this issue will also give municipalities a little more power with economic development project funding. Municipalities will be able to issue bonds for economic development projects. Municipalities will also be able to set aside money to finance economic development projects using private entities.
There is more to this issue. You can read it on the University of Arkansas Extension website here.
Do you remember hearing stories about an issue limiting how much money an attorney can receive in medical lawsuits? Or the issue that is supposed to bring casinos to 3 counties in Northwest Arkansas? Both of those measures were struck down by the Arkansas Supreme Court; however, they will be on the ballot. Kade Holliday says the proposals were defeated after the ballots were finalized; but a vote "for" or "against" will not count.
The state Supreme Court ruled that the medical damages ballot issue had a misleading title. The court also ruled that the casino measure failed to acknowledge its conflict with a federal law prohibiting sports gambling in the title. The Associate Press reports that the group behind the casino measure has since filed a petition for the Supreme Court to rehear the case. However, the courts have rejected the petition.
To get an unbiased breakdown of all of the issues on the ballot, you can go to the U of A Extension website here.
For a look at everything in the ballot as well as information for where to go on November 8th to cast your vote, read this story.
