"Talking to the Hand" at the Legislature
With their majority, Republicans just aren't listening
We the People are helplessly watching the Republican majority in the 95th General Assembly dismantle the citizen referendum / initiative process, despite strong and sustained pushback from Democrat, Republican, and independent voters — more pushback than some lawmakers say they’ve ever seen. The Republican super majorities in our Arkansas Senate and the House have made it clear they intend to “tighten up” that process, no matter what the People have to say about it.
Here’s the reaction of one voter after she watched Senator Kim Hammer whip SB209 and SB210 through the House State Agencies Committee last week:
Well, NINE HOURS total, sitting in a committee room listening to compelling testimony from both sides of the aisle, pleading with the legislators of the House Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs to please say NO to SB209 & SB210. But…they both passed!
And this was very sad because no matter what THE PEOPLE said, I’m thinking Sen. Hammer and Rep. Underwood had “snuck the bunny in the hat” plenty of time beforehand. 🤔 🤨
Like I said in my earlier post, to learn about these bills, go to
arkleg.state.ar.us and enter the bill #.
These people are parading around with an R by their names just to get voted in. People, it’s time to KNOW who you’re voting for to represent you! I know the majority of Arkansas consists of true grassroots conservatives, so please come forward and let’s get to work.
Today we fought against two pieces of legislation that will gradually strip us of our 1st amendment right to freedom of speech, and there were only THREE of us there who spoke up, that I know are true conservative Republicans. Three!!!
My friend Myra Stevens sacrificed her day to be there for support and to learn more about the process. Jimmie Cavin was there leading the charge with urgency as he opened the discussion to oppose these bills. Joey McCutchen practically gave a dissertation on the detrimental significance of these bills.
The other pleas were made by Democrats and independents 😳 and yet, after all was said and done, those we ELECTED might as well have said — thanks for driving 1-2 hours here and giving up your day to speak up for your fellow Arkansans but we’re just gonna have to go with what we planned from the beginning and screw the people. 😡
I actually decided to speak after I got there, thanks to the encouragement by Jimmie. While the first round of folks were speaking, I wrote down my little speeches, so I wouldn’t stammer, keep saying UH so much, or chase rabbit trails.
I’ll share my speech with y’all. I think I did pretty good for writing it down as I heard others speak. 😜 and this was my first time speaking out in a state committee hearing. I was a bit nervous so I had to write it down. Get ‘er dun, I say. I also say REGNAT POPULUS or The People Rule but many legislators just won’t listen 😭
Committee Hearing: SB209
I am against this Bill.
As a constituent and a common working citizen, I voted for my state senator and state representative so that they would represent me by speaking up for my values which are most closely aligned with our constitutional principles of liberty.
As a resident of Arkansas, I worked for close to 50 hours last summer collecting signatures in 95-100 degree heat. I did this because as a conservative American who votes Republican, I believe in individual responsibility and initiative. I am a responsible person who trusts that I live in one of the best states in the country where I can practice my constitutional freedoms and do it in keeping with the laws of this state.
To me, this bill threatens to limit those freedoms. It says that “…it is of the utmost importance that the integrity of the initiative process be strengthened through this act…” but my question is WHAT ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF MY RIGHTS AS AN ARKANSAN?
I say if the dog ain’t dirty, no need to give it a bath. Please say NO to SB209.
SB210
I am against this bill because I think it actually expresses no confidence in the average citizen to possess enough intelligence or integrity to properly collect signatures to get a petition together. I, for one, trust that the majority of Arkansans believe that the law as stated in Arkansas Code 7-9-103 sufficiently provides the instruction and guidance for each individual to know what the law requires.
To add new laws to a process that already works is redundant. It also voices a distrust to everyday citizens who only want a voice. Adding more laws will do nothing to stop those who are dishonest, it will only hinder those who already abide by the law.
Furthermore, I choose to trust in the canvassers’ willingness to accept the greater responsibility to make sure the process is done right.
This bill says that the signer would now have to read the ballot title in the presence of the canvasser or to have the ballot title read aloud to the signer in the presence of the canvasser… this will only make it more difficult to collect the required number of signatures, almost impossible in many instances.
Frankly, I feel insulted that my state government is telling me I may not have the ability to explain to my fellow citizens what the issue is in layman’s terms. Being a first-generation American citizen who had to learn to speak English at 10 years old, I am saddened by the fact that my representatives may think I’m just an incompetent commoner who can’t think for myself. At least not enough to abide by our election laws.
Some have pointed out instances of distorted petitions, well, that is what it means to be free. Your experience is not a reason for our elected to pass laws that will control and constrain THE PEOPLE to do everything perfectly! That is what freedom means!
Please vote no on SB210.
— Abby Rector
former Garland County Republican Committee Secretary
former 4th District Minority Representative
past President, Garland County GOP Women
past District Director, Arkansas Republican Women
Who is your senator are Representative and how did they vote?