Page 25 - ATR 5 2020 digital

Clark said he has always questioned
whether an individual should be banned
from serving for life. That means
citizens might be deprived of the service
of a potential Thomas Jefferson. Under “IF YOU’RE NOT HERE LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW
this proposal, such legislators would be
able to return to office — but without WHAT YOU’RE DOING OR THAT ANYBODY HAS TO
the advantages of incumbency. LISTEN TO YOU, YOUR CONSTITUENTS ARE GETTING
The proposal to include a hard cap HURT.”
of 12 consecutive years and an end to
the lifetime ban came after studying
other states. Fifteen have legislative term —SEN. ALAN CLARK, R-LONSDALE
limits, and Arkansas is one of six with a
lifetime ban. Clark said few lawmakers
returned to office after being term
limited in states where it’s allowed.
“The biggest thing is, very few • Second, it would increase the
people once they serve want to come representing right now? … This is a number of counties where the
back. … When you’re there, you think lifetime politician amendment where required number of signatures must
you’ve just got to do it,” he said. “Once they don’t have to go away.” be collected from the current 15 to
you’re out, it’s very hard work, and you 45.
just say it’s time for somebody else to SHOULD CHANGING THE
do it.” ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION BE • Third, it would eliminate the “cure
One purpose of the amendment MORE DIFFICULT? period” that allows groups to col-
was to blunt the efforts of term Also on the ballot will be Issue lect more signatures if they don’t
limits supporters who want a return 3, which is intended to make it meet the required threshold after
to something like the shorter terms more difficult to amend the state’s some are disqualified by the secre-
passed in 1992. Members of the group Constitution and also make it more tary of state. The cure period is only
Arkansas Term Limits were angered by difficult for voters to propose initiated allowed if at least 75% of the origi-
the way terms were extended to 16 years acts and referendums. Initiated acts are nally submitted signatures are valid.
as part of a wide-ranging and vaguely state laws, and referendums are special It would also eliminate the cure
titled “ethics” amendment passed by elections requested by voters on laws period for local ballot measures at
voters in 2014. Since then, they’ve enacted by legislators. The Legislature the city and county levels.
tried without success to pass another can refer three constitutional • Fourth, it would increase the
amendment. amendments to the voters each session, required percentage of votes for
Tim Jacob, a longtime term limits or citizens can propose an amendment. legislatively referred constitutional
activist no longer active with the group, Citizens who hope to amend the amendments from the current 50%
opposes Issue 2. Among his criticisms is Constitution are required to submit in both the House and Senate to
the amendment’s provision for current valid signatures from registered voters 60%.
legislators. They along with legislators equal to 10% of the number who voted
elected this November can serve their in the last gubernatorial election. One of the sponsors, Sen.
full 16 years before reaching their limit. For initiated acts, it’s 8%, and for Mat Pitsch, R-Fort Smith, said his
Jacob also said legislators could have a referendums, it’s 6%. involvement was triggered by an
spouse or caretaker hold their seat for The proposed amendment would amendment passed in the last legislative
them until they are eligible to return. accomplish these goals in several ways, session that enshrined private casino
Jacob said term limits enjoys the most noteworthy being these. operators in the state’s Constitution.
widespread support among all types of • First, it would push back the date However, his desire for change was
voters from all types of demographics. It when voter signatures must be sub- based on broader concerns. He said out-
passed with almost 60 percent support mitted from four months before the of-state interests funded by billionaires
in 1992, while an effort to lengthen the November election to Jan. 15. Then are targeting Arkansas because it’s a
number of terms in 2004 was soundly it would set April 15 as the deadline small state with a low bar for amending
defeated. for filing lawsuits challenging the the Constitution.
“People haven’t demanded that proposals. 
they go back, he said. “Who are they

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2020 25