LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Proposed Arkansas legislation that would raise more than $200 million annually to pay for road construction would require voter approval.
The two bills are sponsored by Republican Rep. Dan Douglas, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (https://bit.ly/2mdEg76 ) reported.
The Arkansas Highway Maintenance and Bond Act of 2017 would allow the state Highway Commission to issue bonds for 20 years beginning April 2018. The issuance of bonds would require a popular vote.
The second bill would levy a 6.5 percent sales tax on the wholesale price of gasoline and diesel as well as require the governor to call a special election or refer the matter to the November general election.
“I have always said that any new highway funding proposal that includes a new source of revenue should be referred to the people for an up or down vote,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said in a statement. “This bill addresses a long term need in our state and I am glad the Legislature will consider this proposal as a possible solution.”
Last year, the governor asked the Arkansas Good Roads Foundation to build support for a permanent source of highway funding for better roads. The foundation said it aims to promote adequate funding for a “safe and efficient” highway system, to foster economic growth and private-sector jobs.
The nonprofit released a statewide survey in January that showed support for making a temporary half-percent sales tax permanent as a way to address the state’s highway needs.
Craig Douglass, the executive director of Good Roads, said making the statewide sales tax permanent wasn’t likely due to requiring a constitutional amendment.
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Information from: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, https://www.arkansasonline.com
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