Special session ends with approval of tax cut bill

LITTLE ROCK — The Third Extraordinary Session of the Arkansas State Legislature adjourned on Thursday, finishing the three-day assembly by passing Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s tax cut plan, as well as a $50 million appropriation for future school safety grants.

The session, called by the governor last Friday, accomplished all the targets he outlined in his proclamation. The tax cut plan, which amends the state’s income tax brackets and drops the top tax rate to 4.9 percent from its previous 5.5 percent, and the state’s top corporate tax rate to 5.3 percent from 5.9 percent, also includes a one-time $150 non-refundable tax credit for Arkansans making up to $87,000 in the 2022 tax year.

In Thursday’s vote in the House, the tax cut plan passed 79-14, while the senate passed it 27-5.

The House followed their vote on the tax cut plan with a vote on the school safety grants appropriation.

The bill, which parks $50 million of the state’s $1.6 billion budget surplus in a fund to be used by the Arkansas Department of Education for a future grant program to address school safety needs in the state, is a key part of the Arkansas School Safety Commission’s ongoing work. The measure faced no opposition in the House, passing 94-0.

“This has been a good day for the taxpayers of Arkansas with the passage of the $500 million tax relief bills in both the House and Senate with $400 million going to individuals this year,” the governor said on Wednesday, per a press release issued by his office. “I am grateful for the overwhelming support of the General

Assembly, and it could not come at a better time with the continued challenge of high food and gas prices.”

While little debate was had on the two major bills considered on Thursday, a robust debate occurred in the House after Speaker Matthew Shepherd, the representative for El Dorado, presented a resolution to adjourn the special session. House democrats, who have spent weeks lobbying for an increase in teacher pay, spoke against the speaker’s resolution.

“We have some unfinished business here [and] that’s to make sure our public education system is going strong and well,” State Rep. Frederick Love of Mabelvale said. “…We must deal with [the issue of teacher pay] and deal with

it now.”

House Minority Leader Tippi McCullough of Little Rock echoed Love’s sentiments.

“Make teachers and their profession a priority and it will follow that our students will benefit, as well as our state … ,” McCullough said. “We have the funds and a sustainable plan and we just need the votes.”

House democrats received support from across the

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aisle in the form of State Rep. David Tollett, a republican representing Marvell. Stating he didn’t start the day with the intention of coming down to the well to speak, Tollett said he hoped the General Assembly would take up the issue of raising teacher salaries, whether it be on Thursday or later.

“Whether we do it now or we wait, I hope this body will make the commitment to not just give teachers raises, but to put teachers salaries at a competitive level with the states around us,” Tollett said.

Despite protests from some legislators, the House ultimately passed the speaker’s resolution by a 61-33 vote.

14 republicans joined with the chamber’s democrats in opposing the adjournment.

The Senate, in its companion resolution to adjourn, proceeded to a vote without a floor debate. Their resolution passed 24-8.

In a final piece of business to report from the session, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution to recognize Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin for his eight years of leadership. Griffin, who also served as the U.S.

Representative for Arkansas’ Second Congressional District from 2011 to 2015, is a graduate of Hendrix College and is up for election in November to become the state’s Attorney General.

Griffin thanked the senate chamber for their support during his tenure as its presiding officer.

“I appreciate Arkansans giving me the opportunity to be in this role,” Griffin said. “I look forward to watching what you all do from afar, and I will never forget the time I’ve had here.”

Some outgoing state senators made remarks at the close of Thursday’s session. One, State Sen. James Sturch of Batesville, who lost his republican primary in June, spoke on the polarization of politics today and how delegates can strive for better.

“We don’t have to be reflective of the national politics we see,” Sturch said. “We can dare to be different. We can dare to be the examples we should be, both for our state and our nation.”

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PORTIA — A Lawrence County man is dead following an armed disturbance and standoff with law enforcement on Monday in Portia.

According to the Arkansas State Police, 40-year-old William Chad Newman began firing a gun randomly outside of his home, located at 208 South Free Street, and was later confronted by law enforcement officers attempting to have the gunman surrender.

Deputies with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department and officers with the Arkansas State Police Department responded to a call around 3:45 p.m. on Monday claiming that a man was firing a gun indiscriminately in the neighborhood on Free Street.

Law enforcement made repeated attempts requesting Newman to drop his handgun and rifle and surrender but he refused to comply and pointed one of the guns at an officer who then fired at Newman.

Despite life-saving medical aid, Newman died on the scene.

His body has been transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory where an autopsy will be conducted.

Special agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division were called to the residence to conduct an investigation of the incident and evidence recovered from the scene will be examined.

The investigative case fie will be presented to the Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney who will determine whether the use of deadly force by the troopers and deputy was consistent with the Arkansas law.