League to host public forum on ballot issues

2014 Ballot Forum / Courtesy photo

The League of Women Voters of Washington County wants to make sure voters are well-informed of several issues they must decide on the November ballot. Though these issues often fly under-the-radar, if they succeed they change Arkansas statutes and even the state Constitution.

Among other issues, voters will decide ballot questions involving marijuana for medical use, limits on lawsuit damage awards and government-funded business development incentives. To share information on these issues, the League will host a forum on Wednesday, Oct. 5 in the Walker Community Room at the Fayetteville Public Library. The program is from 6-7:30 p.m., with a membership mixer at 5:30 p.m.

Panelists explaining the issues include Kristin Higgins, a program associate with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s Public Policy Center; Berni Kurz, staff chair of the UA Extension Service in Washington County; and Greg Harton, editorial page editor of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Issues on the ballot this year include:

  • two separate issues regarding medical marijuana (one initiated act and one constitutional amendment).
  • a constitutional amendment that would limit damage awards in medical lawsuits.
  • a constitutional amendment to allow certain companies to operate casinos in Boone, Miller and Washington counties.
  • a constitutional amendment changing term length for elected county officials.
  • a constitutional amendment setting the powers of the governor when traveling out of state.
  • a constitutional amendment that would remove certain restrictions on government-funded incentives for business development projects.

For more information on the forum, contact Laura Kellams, a League member, at 479-445-8750.