Falling further behind
Since 2015, Arkansas has been governed by a Republican trifecta and a Republican triplex, with the GOP controlling the offices of governor, secretary of state, attorney general, our four representatives and two senators, a veto-proof majority in both legislative chambers, and a working majority of the state's courts, including the state Supreme Court. After 10 years of one-party control, it's time to evaluate the results and ask whether Arkansas is moving in the right direction.
In 2017, U.S. News & World Report's first overall state rank report placed Arkansas 48th out of 50 states. By 2024, that number had barely moved, with Arkansas now ranked 47th out of 50 states. These numbers suggest that the status quo is failing to deliver for our families, schools, and local businesses.
When one party dominates, it can become overly focused on advancing its own agenda, like removing a woman's right to choose her own health care, hamstringing public education, blocking sane gun-law reforms, or tax cuts for the rich.
Furthermore, voter apathy can increase when people feel their voice won't make a difference. While the national turnout was 67 percent, just over 54 percent of Arkansas' eligible voters voted in 2020, the lowest proportion of any state. By contrast, Minnesota's turnout was 79.1 percent. Don't vote, don't complain.
For a state to thrive, there must be healthy political competition, balanced perspectives, compromises, and a system that encourages accountability and responsiveness to the people.
Maybe it's time to try something new. Electing qualified Democrats to key positions could bring in fresh ideas and balance out the decision-making process. We can always vote them out if things don't improve, but sticking with the same leadership that hasn't produced results risks Arkansas falling even further behind.
RICK ARMELLINI
Eureka Springs
Muddying the issue
While Lane Scott appears to be a champion of local control, his track record shows he is not. Scott's hypocrisy is frustrating. On June 6, Scott sponsored and voted for a resolution supporting a Mississippi casino operator. And for someone who claims to oppose lobbyists and out-of-state gambling interests, it seems he doesn't mind collaborating with them to disrupt our elections.
In his Oct. 6 Perspective piece, he claims that locals should dictate whether a casino is built. However, the 2018 casino amendment was a statewide initiative for jobs, economic growth and more tax revenue. Scott also paints a picture of a divided community, ignoring his role in creating that division.
The claim that most residents oppose the casino is outdated. That's why Local Voters in Charge only uses data from 2018, when Pope County voters didn't understand what we would be getting.
Scott attacks Blake Rutherford's recent guest column by overlooking history that doesn't fit his narrative. I'm no mathematician, but it was easy to review old Quorum Court meetings and find that 92 percent of Pope County justices of the peace have voted "for" a casino resolution, including Scott.
Scott also mentions "controversies" surrounding the casino, leaving out that his small anti-growth, anti-casino associates have caused most of them. Those challenges are no reason to retreat.
His claim that Amendment 100 undermines our right to vote is misleading. In 2018, voters statewide who saw the benefits of a regulated gaming environment supported creating four casino licenses for the state. Issue 2 wouldn't restore any rights, but it would strip away the vote Arkansans made six years ago.
Rather than repealing the state's fourth casino license, let's embrace the opportunities it presents: economic growth, high-paying jobs, and fulfilling Arkansans' hopes and desires.
Please vote against Issue 2.
ERNEST ENCHELMAYER
Russellville
Dr. Ernest Enchelmayer is a Pope County resident and former justice of the peace.
Seems a strange flex
It seems Rep. Steve Womack is worried about protecting the American flag. Where was he (and his party) on Jan. 6 when the candidate he and his party support for president essentially called for an overthrow of the government?
KELLY WOLFF
Bella Vista
Average ratepayers
Thank you for alerting readers about Summit's proposed 23.4 percent residential utility rate increase. This is an excellent example of why a solid, daily paper like the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette is needed, and why I have contributed to the Community Journalism Project. I encourage others to do the same.
According to Andrew Moreau's column in last Sunday's paper: "Last weekend, Summit wrapped up negotiations with [Tim] Griffin, [Public Service Commission] staff, the University of Arkansas System and two coalitions representing large business users. They all agreed to slice the company's original request from $104.7 million in extra revenue--by raising rates for Summit's 410,000 Arkansas customers--to $88.7 million."
My question and concern is this: Who, if anyone, represented residential ratepayers at the table? Ostensibly, it was the PSC staff. But if it was Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, why did he approve it first, and then reverse himself only after people complained?
And what is our governor's position on this important issue that affects so many Arkansans every day? While she may not have a formal role in the process, she appoints the PSC commissioners and has the biggest bully pulpit in the state. I suggest she get her $19,000 lectern out, and speak up for the average ratepayer.
HERB SANDERSON
Little Rock
Fiscal responsibility
Rankings are in for which United States governors have the best and worst fiscal responsibility records. Ranking in order, the top five by Cato Institute (a libertarian think tank), are governors from Iowa, Nebraska, West Virginia, Arkansas, and South Dakota. Ranking in order, the bottom five are governors from Wisconsin, Washington, Maine, New York, and Minnesota.
In case you are not aware, the governor that finished dead last is Kamala Harris' running mate, Gov. Tim Walz. Does anyone find it interesting that all states in the top five have Republican governors, while all states in the bottom five have Democrat governors? Is this just a coincidence? I think not.
DEWEY BARR
Maumelle