Our old friends (and occasional allies) at Conduit for Action are at it again. This organization is parroting the old (and discredited) line that Issue 1 is doing something which should never be done -- placing a value on human life. Of course, that charge is absurd once you look behind the catchy phrasing. It is troubling that a supposedly conservative organization is … [Read more...]
Arizona Protecting Nonprofit Donors
There is a move afoot to stifle political speech. Some people want to see mandatory government reporting for nonprofits that talk about public policy issues. This is a movement that is being pushed in states around the nation, including Arkansas. It remains to be seen if the anti-speech activists will be successful in this state. In Arizona, however, there was a victory in the … [Read more...]
Time for Arkansas to Embrace Occupational Licensing Reform
More than almost every other state, Arkansas requires workers to obtain government permission before starting work. That needs to change. Arkansas has the third-highest occupational licensing burden of any state. Few other states impose such strict barriers to individuals just looking to find work so they can support their families. The need to reform this system was … [Read more...]
Checking and Balancing the Judiciary
How should checks-and-balances – the heart of our governmental system – be applied to the judiciary? This question is at play in the debate over Issue 1, the tort reform amendment facing Arkansas voters in December. A provision of this ballot question would give the legislature power to amend or annul judicial rules by a three-fifths vote. Some people don’t like this. One … [Read more...]
Who Makes the Rules?
The system of checks and balances is fundamental to our system. There are three branches of government – legislative, executive, and judicial – and they are designed to both balance the power of each other as well as check it. At least, that’s the theory. You can see this in Article IV of the Arkansas Constitution, which specifies: “The powers of the government of the State … [Read more...]
