REP. JON EUBANKS – Ignoring the Republican Platform

REP. JON EUBANKS – Ignoring the Republican Platform

Pt 13 of the series

This series of articles highlights Republican incumbents who frequently vote contrary to conservative values and in many of those instances contrary to the Republican Party of Arkansas Platform.

We are highlighting the record of Representative Jon Eubanks (R- Paris). His record is especially disturbing because he is a leader in the House of Representatives, serving as Speaker Pro-Tempore.

Before we begin, we need to explain voting records.

You need to know sometimes a legislator will try to kill a bill without going on record as voting “No.” To do this, some walk off the floor to miss the vote or sit quietly without voting. Another tactic used to help kill a bill without voting “No” is to vote “Present.” Not voting or voting “Present” are not neutral actions. Regardless of whether a legislator votes “No”, doesn’t vote, or votes “Present” each action has the same effect of trying to deny the legislation enough votes to pass.

REPRESENTATIVE JON EUBANKS

Here are some important votes on which Rep. Eubanks’ actions conflict with conservative values and to various degrees with the platform and principles of the Republican Party of Arkansas.

Note: In all the instances below in which Rep. Eubanks failed to vote on a bill, he had signed in as being present that day but didn’t vote on the bill. Not voting has the same effect as a vote of “no” in that failing to vote works toward denying the legislation enough votes to pass.

Abortion

1. Failed to vote on bill for 48-hour waiting period for an abortion – HB1578 of 2015
2. Failed to vote on bill to increase inspection requirements at abortion clinics and require reporting of crimes against women – SB463 of 2021
3. Failed to vote on bill to allow homicide charges for wrongful death of an unborn baby – SB417 of 2013

Value of Life

4. Voted to put a price tag on human life in lawsuits – SJR8 of 2017

Taxes

5. Voted for Internet Sales Tax imposed on Arkansas consumers – SB576 of 2019
6. Voted for Internet Sales Tax (previous attempt)– SB140 of 2017
7. Voted for gas and diesel tax increase – SB336 of 2019
8. Voted for $300 million tax increase proposal – HJR1018 of 2019
9. Voted for highway tax proposal – HB1726 of 2017
10. Voted for Tire Fees/Tax Increase – HB1267 of 2017
11. Failed to vote on bill for homestead property tax credit increase – HB1321 of 2019

COVID

12. Voted against returning COVID19 regulation fines to businesses – SB301 of 2021 (override of Governor’s Veto)

Education

13. Voted against School Choice and Education Savings Accounts – HB1222 of 2017; SB746 of 2017
14. Failed to vote on bill to allow homeschoolers to participate in sports – HB1474 of 2017
15. Failed to vote on bill for bible courses developed for schools – HB1626 of 2019

Elections

16. Failed to vote on bill for transparency – electronic campaign finance filings – HB1427 of 2017

Deregulation

17. Failed to vote on bill for workforce freedom – uniform licensing across the state – HB1460 of 2021
18. Failed to vote on bill for adopting the least restrictive rules in reciprocity licensing – HB1835 of 2017
19. Failed to vote on bill for apprentice plumber deregulation – SB514 of 2017

Access to Government Information

20. Voted for FOIA exemption for government attorneys – SB373 of 2017
21. Failed to vote on bill for transparency in rainy day fund – SB205 of 2021

Other Important Legislation

22. Failed to vote on bill for improving minimum wage law for small business, nonprofits, & teens – HB1752 of 2019
23. Voted against bill for improving minimum wage law for small business, nonprofits, & teens –HB1753 of 2019
24. Failed to vote on bill for indexing unemployment benefits to economic conditions – HB1676 of 2021

PRINCIPLES AND PLATFORM OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF ARKANSAS

Below are statements from the platform of the Republican Party of Arkansas. You be the judge to what extent Representative Eubanks’ voting record conflicts with these statements.

Items 1-3: The 2^nd Principle of the RPAP “The sanctity of life” and with the platform which says: “Most importantly, we believe all unborn children have a fundamental right to live in order to avail themselves of these equal opportunities.”
Item 4: The 2^nd Principle of the RPAP “The sanctity of life”
Items 5-11: The 6^th Principle of the RPAP “Lower taxes to produce economic growth” and the Preamble of the RPAP – “We recognize the importance of lower taxes to spur economic growth and to ensure that individuals reap more of the benefits of their hard work.”
Item 12: The 4th principle of the RPAP – “Individual freedom and liberty secured by a limited government”.
Items 13-14: The Education Section of the RPAP – “Arkansas’s children deserve a world class education, developed by parents, educators, and leaders accountable to our citizens, regardless of their zip code. This requires openness to every type of education system available: homeschooling, distance learning, public school, private school, charter school, and vocational or technical school.” “Every tool should be given equal consideration and be utilized in a manner that puts the student’s needs above all ‘to secure to the people the advantages and opportunities of education.’”  “Every education decision we make is with the students and parents first in our minds!” “Every opportunity for every family to enroll each child in the school of its choice should be secured by government and offered to Arkansas families. Parents must have the ability to make informed choices regarding the education of their children and should not be restricted by lines on a map or the cost of tuition.” “to become greater players on the global stage, our children must be given the tools to succeed in their chosen fields through education.”
Item 15: The 1st Principle of the RPAP – “The power of faith in God almighty” and with the Education Reform section of the RPAP – “Every tool should be given equal consideration and be utilized in a manner that puts the student’s needs above all to secure to the people the advantages and opportunities of education.”
Item 16 The Preamble of the RPAP – “Regnat Populus, the People Rule” and with the Government Reform Section of the RPAP – “We firmly support transparency and openness at every level of government. Those elected, appointed, and employed in government work for the taxpayers of this state and must provide public information when requested . . .”
Items: 17-19: The 4^th Principle of the RPAP – “Individual freedom and liberty secured by a limited government”, the Preamble of the RPAP – “We are created equally with individual freedoms and liberties that, through our own exercise of individual responsibility and initiative, can result in great outcomes independent of government.”, and the Economic Prosperity and Job Growth Section of the RPAP – “In order to continue moving forward in our economic recovery, businesses in Arkansas need to operate freely from overly burdensome regulation and over-taxation.”
Items 20-21: The Preamble of the RPAP – “Regnat Populus, the People Rule” and with the Government Reform Section of the RPAP – “We firmly support transparency and openness at every level of government. Those elected, appointed, and employed in government work for the taxpayers of this state and must provide public information when requested . . .”
Items 22-24: The Business section of the RPAP “Arkansas’s small businesses are the drivers of our economy. All levels of government must do all they can to understand and meet the needs of small businesses during our recovery.”

POOR SCORE ON ECONOMIC FREEDOM FILTER

Conduit for Commerce scores the votes of legislators based on Conduit’s Economic Freedom Filter.  The Economic Freedom Filter analyzes bills that do the following:

• Increase or decrease the size and scope of government
• Increase or decrease dependency on government
• Spend money we do not have
• Increase or decrease transparency in government

2022 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

Representative Jon Eubanks is one of two Republican candidates seeking the Republican nomination for House District 46.

The Republican primary is May 24, 2022 and early voting begins May 9.