The contentious federal redistricting battle concluded with a compromise map that most notably splits several counties, extends the ordinarily southern fourth congressional district into Northwest Arkansas, and sends some southeastern counties into the first congressional district. Because conservative legislators stood up for common sense, we defeated partisan schemes like the State Democratic Party-endorsed “Fayetteville Finger,” which unfairly manipulated geographical boundaries for political gain. Southern Washington County remains in the 3rd District.
After 92 days of debate, House members recessed until April 27, which final adjournment of the legislative session. Long before I stepped foot on the marble halls of Capitol Hill, my goal has been to cut your taxes, reduce spending, increase transparency and pass laws that move Arkansas forward.
Last month Arkansas moved into the national spotlight when lawmakers passed $35 million in tax cuts. From creating a back-to-school sales tax holiday to reducing the used car tax, House and Senate members nearly doubled the amount of tax cuts originally forecasted by the Governor. Not only that, but we balanced our budget, reduced state spending, sufficiently funded public education and cut no essential services.
Because you deserve to know where your tax dollars are being spent, last month we passed the Arkansas Financial Transparency Act, which creates an online database to track state spending. This act will open up doors to the nuts and bolts of state government, while providing a check against wasteful spending. Your online checkbook will be fully established by July 2012.
Until we know how the Supreme Court will rule on Obamacare, Arkansas does not need to spend money implementing the federal healthcare overhaul. A bill to establish federally mandated insurance exchanges necessary to healthcare implementation was sent to interim study after House members raised legitimate concerns over a federal law the majority of Arkansans oppose. According to the Arkansas Department of Insurance, the insurance exchanges as mandated in the law do not have to be fully established until 2014. Therefore, sending the bill to interim study helps ensure a slow and deliberate process for examining a federal law.
The most interesting dynamic of the session was that for the first time in history, a viable two-party system challenged the political old guard, introducing innovative ideas and responsible policy to move Arkansas forward. Instead of rubber stamping a state budget that called for millions in spending increases, lawmakers challenged the status quo and successfully shifted dialogue from how much we can spend as a state to how much we can cut. As a result, we reduced taxes and provided relief for Arkansas families. Rather than accepting a government out of touch with its people, a two-party system fought for transparency and accountability. And when no one stood up for Arkansans when our healthcare system was being turned upside down, I fought to protect your values.
While the legislative session has concluded, my work representing your views and values has just begun. It has been an honor to serve you and your family in the Arkansas House of Representatives.
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Justin Harris is Arkansas State Representative (R-District 87). Although he directly represents Crawford and Southern Washington Counties, he also represents all Arkansans with his public stands for limited, transparent and responsible government. He is both a fiscal and social conservative and is the owner of Growing God's Kingdom preschool in West Fork, Arkansas.
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