Ballot measures simple, except for Issue 3

By STEVE BRAWNER

Arkansas lawmakers referred to voters three simple ballot measures – and one complicated one.

Issues 1, 2 and 4 are simple and easy to understand. Issue 3 is the complicated one.

Issue 1 would amend the Arkansas Constitution’s provision that “any” citizen may vote to say instead that “only” citizens may vote. 

Supporters say it’s clearer and more exclusive. They say it would help prevent what has happened in some other states and Washington, D.C., where noncitizens can vote in local elections. 

The opposite viewpoint would be that the “any” language is working fine and that noncitizen voting is rare. We should be wary of changing the Constitution for nonexistent problems. It could lead to bad unforeseen consequences, although it’s hard to see what those would be in this case. 

Issue 2 is also simple, although it does a little more. It says that keeping and bearing arms in Arkansas is a “natural, fundamental, and individual right that shall not be infringed.” The state’s Constitution currently says citizens have that right “for their common defense,” so this would explicitly make the right an individual one. It also adds “Lawful hunting and recreational use” and “Any other lawful purpose” as reasons for the right.

The amendment further states that the right includes “without limitation” the possession and use of ammunition, firearm accessories and firearm components. 

If you think the Constitution should explicitly describe gun ownership as an individual right – and protect ammo and other accessories – vote yes. Vote no if you think those rights are already protected (or too protected) and that this could lead to those aforementioned unforeseen consequences.

Issue 4 would authorize the state of Arkansas to issue $500 million in bonds for water and wastewater projects. It’s not a constitutional amendment even though legislators referred it to voters. 

This one is also relatively straightforward. The state has identified $20.1 billion in needed upgrades over the next 20 years. It would issue bonds and then loan the proceeds to communities, often at lower rates than they could obtain on their own. Communities could use that money to expand, repair and maintain their water and wastewater systems. Many of these are aging, and all of them must constantly battle leaks. Growing cities must expand their services.

The downside is that the improvements would be funded by debt, although the ballot measure limits new debt to $60 million every two years. The state ran a one-year surplus of $655 million last fiscal year and has total reserve funds of $4 billion, so the money is there.

Finally, there’s Issue 3, the not-so-simple one. It would let city and county governments create economic development districts that could issue bonds, loan money, and award publicly funded grants to businesses and developers. Tax revenues over time would reimburse developers for the projects’ costs. The districts could be led by the city or county or by appointed boards.

Supporters, which include the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and a number of mayors, say communities could incentivize growth in blighted or undeveloped areas. They could meet needs such as a grocery store or housing. Every other state except Arizona allows for some form of these activities. That includes Texas, whose Texarkana is developing more than Arkansas’. Bryant Mayor Chris Treat recently described plans for a $150 million shopping center that will only happen if Issue 3 passes. They say Arkansas must play the game the other states are playing. 

The opposing argument would be that this would benefit big corporations that already have plenty of money and power. The amendment lacks details. Lawmakers would need to pass enabling legislation next year to flesh those out. A bill filed at the end of the 2025 legislative session could serve that purpose, but lawmakers could change it next year, and voters don’t know in advance what those changes might be. There are also concerns about what unelected economic development district boards might do with the public’s money. 

Probably more good than harm would come if Issue 3 passes. Most mayors and county judges do what’s best for their communities most of the time. But its structure and lack of specifics doesn’t inspire as much confidence as it could. If it fails, lawmakers should refer a differently worded proposal for 2028.

Those are the four statewide ballot measures. Three are simple, and one is not.

Thank goodness voting itself is easy. Just go to the polls in the land of the free.

Steve Brawner’s column is syndicated to 24 news outlets in Arkansas. Email him at brawnersteve@mac.com.