Arkansas Referred Question 1, Water, Waste Disposal, and Pollution Abatement Bond Measure (2008)
| Arkansas Referred Question 1 | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic Bond issues and Environment |
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| Status |
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| Type Bond issue |
Origin |
Arkansas Referred Question 1 was on the ballot as a bond issue in Arkansas on November 4, 2008. It was approved.
A "yes" vote supported allowing the state to issue up to $300 million in bonds to finance the development of water, waste disposal and pollution abatement facilities. |
A "no" vote opposed allowing the state to issue up to $300 million in bonds to finance the development of water, waste disposal and pollution abatement facilities. |
Election results
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Arkansas Referred Question 1 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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631,767 | 65.52% | ||
| No | 332,507 | 34.48% | ||
Measure design
The proposal enacts the following provisions:[1]
- Cap financing for irrigation projects at $100 million;
- Limit to $60 million the total principal amount to be issued during any two-year budget cycle, unless the Legislature authorizes more;
- The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission would issue low-interest, tax-free bonds for water, wastewater, sewer, drainage, irrigation, flood control, and wetlands projects;
- Approve applications on a case-by-case basis;
- Require that ratepayers who use the systems would pay back the bonds;
- Stipulate that bond money also could be used to match federal grant money for water and sewer projects, according to Randy Young, executive director of the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission; and
- Extend the current program, approved by voters in 1998.
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Referred Question 1 was as follows:
| “ | Shall the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission be authorized to issue General Obligation bonds under the authority of the Arkansas Water, Waste Disposal and Pollution Abatement Facilities Financing Act of 2007, for the financing and refinancing of the development of water, waste disposal, water pollution control, abatement and prevention, drainage, irrigation, flood control, and wetlands and aquatic resources projects to serve the citizens of the State of Arkansas, in total principal amount not to exceed Three Hundred Million Dollars ($300,000,000), with no more than One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000) of such bonds to be issued to finance and refinance the development of irrigation facilities, in series from time to time in principal amounts not to exceed, without prior approval of the General Assembly, Sixty Million Dollars ($60,000,000) in any fiscal biennium, which bonds shall be secured by a pledge of the full faith and credit of the State of Arkansas? | ” |
Support
Supporters
- Rep. Chris Thyer, D-Jonesboro
- Governor of Arkansas Mike Beebe[2]
- Rob Reynolds, chairman of the El Dorado Economic Development Board
Arguments
Notable arguments made in favor of the measure included:[1]
- If the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission runs out of bonding authority, cities and municipalities will have to turn to local banks to get credit for water and sewer projects.
- Referred Question 1 is not a tax, and needs to be re-authorized every 10 years.
- Interest to local banks would be significantly higher than bonds backed by the state.
Campaign finance
Thyer's 30-member committee hopes to raise $250,000 for the effort.
Opposition
Opponents
The Arkansas Wildlife Federation opposes Arkansas Referred Question No. 1.
Arguments
Notable arguments in opposition included:[1]
- The American Taxpayer's Union has raised concerns that taxpayers may find themselves bearing the costs of unpaid bond issues.
- Arkansas Wildlife Federation President David Carruth says many members of his group are farmers, hunters, and landowners who fear their property rights would be endangered if the measure passes.
- The Federation also said the measure would give broad powers to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to take title to or determine the use of private recreational lakes, stock ponds, irrigation reservoirs, and certain rivers.
Background
Arkansans voted down a similar bond program in 1996 before approving the current $300 million bond program in 1998. This 2008 proposal extended the previous program. Many voters in 1996 believed the bond program was nothing more than a tax. In 1998, the Arkansas Municipal League opposed the measure, questioning whether it would hurt the welfare of existing cities and lead to urban sprawl, but the AML did not actively campaign against the measure. Municipal League Director Don Zimmerman said many of the questions remain, such as whether small cities would have to rebuild existing water lines if they don't meet new fire codes, if new lines are added. Zimmerman said he sent a letter to Thyer's committee seeking answers to some of those questions, and that he is willing to meet with committee representatives.[2]
Path to the ballot
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Arkansas State Legislature to place a state statute on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 51 votes in the Arkansas House of Representatives and 18 votes in the Arkansas State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Statutes require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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State of Arkansas Little Rock (capital) |
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