State Representative David Ray (R-Maumelle) has a good government bill, HB1510. It is good for you as a taxpayer and good for you as a voter.
The bill limits special elections on issues and measures by, first, requiring there to actually be an emergency before calling a special election and, second, by reducing the number of dates on which special elections are allowed in a year.
Why is HB1510 so important? Because cities, counties, and school districts have long abused special elections to pass tax increases. They know taxes are more likely to pass when there is low voter turnout and, historically, special elections have very low voter turnout. Many voters don’t even know there is a special election until after they see the results in the news.
HB1510 should have the effect of substantially reducing the number of special elections on issues because the overwhelming majority of special elections now held do not involve emergencies. Just reducing the number of special elections will save taxpayers money.
Representative Ray’s bill received a “Do Pass” from committee and will now go to the floor of the Arkansas House of Representatives for a vote by the full membership of the House.
