Attorney general plays
politics with initiative
Tim Griffin seems to enjoy turning down ballot initiatives for "ambiguous language." In fact, he has done it so many times that one might begin to think it has nothing to do with the language and everything to do with the fact that he doesn't like the initiative because it doesn't fit with his political viewpoint.
As attorney general for the state of Arkansas, he is supposed to represent all Arkansans, no matter what their political affiliation. However, the ballot initiative by For AR Kids that would require private schools that receive government money to follow the same standards as public schools was turned down three times by Griffin even though the leader of For AR Kids said that each time they changed the wording to fit what Griffin had told them needed correcting. He vowed they would try again. Of course, the real reason it was turned down three times is because it would change parts of the LEARNS act Gov. Sanders put into law. Griffin doesn't want to disappoint his boss.
One of the intentions of the LEARNS act was to allow private schools to get public money whenever students in public schools moved to a private school. It's kind of like Robin Hood in reverse. Rob the poor and give it to the rich. But the ballot initiative in question has nothing to do with money; it has to do with fairness. The private schools would still get the money, but they would have to follow the same standards as public schools. It makes good sense to at least hold private schools accountable for the money they get. Even though Griffin claims the language might "confuse" voters, I believe the voters are smart enough to figure out what the amendment means.
It's time Tim Griffin started doing his job instead of playing politics.
Steven Trulock
Fayetteville
County leaders sold out
Marshallese community
The Washington County Quorum Court's hyper-majority sold out members of our community Thursday night by voting to accept federal State Criminal Alien Assistance Program money from the feds to provide Immigration and Customs Enforcement with names of detainees who aren't born in the USA.
What's really concerning to me is the ignorance relating to our beautiful Marshallese community. Many of the justices of the peace still do not comprehend that these people are not aliens or illegal immigrants. They are here to try to make a new life because the United States devastated their beautiful paradise with permanent radiation poisoning and gave any Marshallese citizen Compact of Free Association status should they want to relocate here.
Cherie Ringler
Fayetteville
Phillips shows qualities
prosecutor should have
I am writing to endorse Sarah Phillips for Benton County prosecuting attorney. I met Sarah in 2022, after serving as a juror on a child sexual assault case. I watched her prosecute the case and was inspired by her exceptional skills of bringing out the truth, obtaining justice for innocent victims and holding a wrongdoer accountable.
After watching Sarah and learning more about the legal justice system, I decided to pursue a career in law at the University of Arkansas, where I am currently a first-year law student. Being inspired by Sarah's work as a deputy prosecuting attorney made me completely change careers. I've been a pharmacist for almost nine years now, living in Benton County the past seven years. I felt becoming a lawyer like Sarah would enable me to serve my community in an even more meaningful way.
She is someone I greatly look up to as a role model because of how hard working and dedicated she is to serving our community. I've watched her work late hours in order to be tough on crime and fairly bring about justice. She is personable and genuinely cares about her community while fighting to keep it safe. As a mentor she has listened and supported me through the stress of law school because she cares about me, an everyday citizen who got called for jury duty.
Great communities are upheld by great leaders. Sarah is a great leader.
Jenny Caraway
Bentonville