BENTONVILLE -- Northwestern lawmakers will push issues including tax cuts, long-distance medical diagnoses by electronic means, sales taxes on digital downloads and education finance, a panel told a forum audience Saturday.
But even in a hometown forum on local priorities, the lawmakers were presented with questions about medical marijuana and allowing concealed carry permit holders who work for colleges and universities to bring their guns to campus.
Two state senators and three House members, all from Benton County, staked out their legislative priorities in a forum co-hosted by the The Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Bentonville Chamber of Commerce. Medical marijuana and a bill to allow concealed carry of firearms on college campuses also came up. The event was at 9 a.m. at Northwest Arkansas Community College.
Sen. Jim Hendren, R-Sulphur Springs, said he expects quick passage and governor's approval of bills to cut state income taxes for those making less than $29,000 a year, along with bills to exempt many retirement and survivor benefits for long-service veterans. Hendren is a Senate sponsor of both measures and Senate majority leader.
Another measure would regulate "telemedicine," which uses high-speed video and imaging to allow doctors to diagnose patients by electronic means. That bill will be presented in legislative committee next week, said Sen. Cecile Bledsoe, R-Rogers. Bledsoe is lead sponsor of Senate Bill 146 on telemedicine, which would restrict the practice to doctors approved by the state's Medical Board. Bledsoe is chairwoman of the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee.
Rep. Dan Douglas spoke in favor of Senate Bill 140, which would allow state sales tax collection on digital downloaded material such as music or motion pictures when streamed in from out of state. Douglas is chief House sponsor of the bill. Rep. Jim Dotson, R-Bentonville, outlined his proposal to allow a limited amount of tax-exempt savings in personal savings accounts to allow school choice. Rep. Jana Della Rosa, R-Rogers, described her efforts to make changes in higher education funding including workforce training.
On the campus carry bill, House Bill 1249 by Rep. Charlie Collins, R-Fayetteville, the panel heard objections. Collins said the bill would deter mass shootings.
"The right to carry training is so minimal, " said Evelyn Jorgenson, president of Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville. "Police are trained to use these weapons. They are under great stress in these situation. It's a real stretch to believe that someone with the four hours of training in one afternoon, which is what concealed carry training required, can be prepared."
Hendren replied he opposed legislation to allow concealed carry when it passed in the 1990s because he had much the same concerns, that permit holders would be a danger to themselves and other. "Looking back, I have to admit that the historical record shows my concerns were not realized," Hendren said.
On medical marijuana, state voters approved the use of the drug in last year's election for treatment of certain conditions. Lawmakers at the panel said they are considering allowing use of the drug from the plant to be used in an liquid oil or pill form only, so smoking the drug would still be illegal.
NW News on 01/29/2017