Arkansas ballot initiative news
From Ballotpedia
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Six parties to appear on Arkansas ballot
Arkansas Secretary of State Charlie Daniels' office announced May 28, 2008, that the Socialism and Liberation Party has been certified to include its presidential and vice presidential candidates on the November general election ballot. The Socialism and Liberation Party will join the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, the Green Party, the Libertarian Party of Arkansas, and the Constitution Party of Arkansas on the general election ballot.[1]
New severance tax measure rejected for ballot by AG
Attorney General Dustin McDaniel rejected on May 21, 2008, a proposed ballot initiative from the Campaign for Comprehensive Legal Reform to increase the state severance tax on natural gas and specify how proceeds from the tax would be allocated. McDaniel said the measure had several ambiguities, including how it would relate with the Legislature's recent increase of the severance tax.[2]
Legislature passes severance tax hike, Nelson withdrawns initiative
Sheffield Nelson withdrew his Severance Tax Hike initiative immediately after Gov. Mike Beebe signed the first severance tax hike on natural gas in a half century. But Nelson warned that he will refile the measure if lawmakers try to alter the increase signed into law on April 3, 2008.[3]
Nelson's proposed initiative would have raised the tax two-percentage points higher than what Beebe got through the state legislature in a special session called for that purpose. Beebe met with success after reaching a compromise that industry leaders could support, with Nelson's harsher proposal hanging over their heads.
Arkansas Green Party to make ballot
The Arkansas Green Party turned in 17,197 signatures on September 26, 2007 trying to get their candidate on the 2008 ballot. The party needs 10,000 valid signatures to qualify their candidates.
The party currently has only one candidate, Rebekah Kennedy of Fort Smith, will challenge U. S. Sen. Mark Pryor, a Democrat. Kennedy received about 4 percent of the vote in the attorney general’s race last year.[4]
References
- ↑ KTHV-TV: "Socialism And Liberation Party OK'd For Arkansas Ballot," May 28, 2008
- ↑ The Morning News: "Attorney General Spurns Severance Tax Ballot Proposal," May 21, 2008
- ↑ Pine Bluff Commercial: "Nelson: Will try Ark. ballot campaign if lawmakers change tax," April 3, 2008
- ↑ NWAnews, Signatures pass 17,000 in Green bid for ’08 ballot
