Page 38 - ATR 2 2019 digital

“EVEN IN THE

DISCUSSIONS AT THE
VERY HEART OF THE
SESSION, EVERYBODY
WAS AGREEING THAT
THIS WAS A QUALITY
OF LIFE ISSUE, THAT
THIS WOULD HAVE A
VERY REAL IMPACT ON
THE FUTURE OF OUR
STATE, AND PEOPLE
WERE JUST DOING THE

RIGHT THING. THEY
WERE ACTIVATING
THEIR MEMBERS AND
MOTIVATING THEIR
STAKEHOLDERS AND
SAYING, ‘PLEASE
EDUCATE YOUR
LEGISLATORS THAT
THIS MATTERS.’ AND

IT REALLY WAS A
REMARKABLE LACK
OF DISSENSION AS WE
EVOLVED THROUGH IT.”
actually demanding of the legislators, NOW THE VOTERS WILL DECIDE
don’t come home without a highway The plan passed after years of
plan.” Senate President Pro Tempore work by highway advocates. A group of —JOE QUINN, ARKANSAS
Jim Hendren, R-Sulphur Springs, said some of the state’s heaviest hitters, the GOOD ROADS FOUNDATION
in an interview that legislators were Roads and Bridges Coalition, formed
hearing a lot about highways, including a couple of months before the session.
in Northwest Arkansas, where he lives. In addition to the Arkansas Trucking
Anti-tax sentiment there was reduced Association, other members were the Arkansas Farm Bureau and The Poultry
by positive feelings created by the open- Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, Federation are expected to be the lead
ing of the I-540 bypass around Bella the Arkansas Good Roads Foundation, organizations.
Vista, which cut the commute across Arkansas Farm Bureau, The Poultry The effort will take shape this
the county and improved safety. It helps Federation, Arkansas Municipal League, summer. The group will transition into
that gas prices are low. Association of Arkansas Counties, campaign mode, hire a campaign man-
Arguing for Act 416 on the House Associated General Contractors, ager, educate the public and, of course,
floor March 4, Rep. Marcus Richmond, Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association, raise money. The amount depends on
R-Harvey, told lawmakers, “This is as and the state chapter of the American what kind of organized opposition
close as we’ve ever been of having a Traffic Safety Services Association. emerges. The anti-tax group Americans
highway bill. If this one doesn’t pass, ATA President Shannon Newton for Prosperity spoke against the bill
you’re not going to get a highway bill, said discussions have started regard- during legislative committee hearings.
and you’re going to have to go back ing forming the legislative question Newton said coalition members think
home and explain why.” committee, the group that will run the they will need to raise between $2 mil-
campaign. The ATA, the State Chamber, lion and $3 million, but it could be as

38 Issue 2 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT