State Legislative Priorities

TRANSPORTATION FUNDING:

• Blue Ribbon Committee on Highway Finance Recommendations -- We will review the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Committee on Highway Finance and their mission to grow transportation funding through the State of Arkansas.
• Transportation Funding Equity - We will continue to advocate that transportation funding should be distributed based on need and based on local level of effort.
• Funding to Incentivize Regional Mobility Authorities - We will seek seed/start-up funding assistance for Regional Mobility Authorities throughout the State of Arkansas to help them get started.
• Authority to Refer Revenue Questions to Voters at the Regional Level -- We will work with other regions around the state to give Regional Mobility Authorities the ability to collect and expend voter-approved taxes and fees at the regional level.

WATER QUALITY:

• Support for Watershed Stewardship Groups -- We support funding for stakeholder-driven watershed stewardship organizations. Watershed groups like the Illinois River Watershed Partnership and the Beaver Lake Alliance can help protect the quality of water through consensus-driven projects and initiatives.
• Increasing Adoption of CREP Programs - We will work with state agencies and Legislative officials on proposals and ideas to help increase the rate of use of conservation reserve grant opportunities.

EDUCATION:

• Higher Education Funding Equity -- We support implementation of funding formulas that reward – and does not penalize - enrollment growth at two- and four-year institutions.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

• Sales Tax Value Capture – We support legislation to allow financing of projects based on projected future growth of sales tax values that results from the initial investment.
• Venture Bank and Early Stage Capital – We support legislation that would authorize the establishment of venture banks and other sources of state capital that would assist entrepreneurs with start-up businesses.
• Removal of Sales Tax on Manufacturers – We support the repeal of sales taxes on utility use by manufacturers.
• Regional Marketing Support – Consistent with Governor Beebe’s Strategic Plan for Economic Development, we will seek state support for regional marketing and economic development efforts.
• Metropolitan Alliances – as the State of Arkansas’ population expands in larger cities and as we approach redistricting, we will seek opportunities to work in partnership with other regions and larger cities on issues of mutual interest.
• Expand Eligibility of State Incentives to Include NWA’s Target Sectors – We will work to expand the eligibility of state economic incentives to include NWA’s target job creation sectors that were identified in the recent strategic plan.
• “E-Fairness” Legislation – We support legislation requiring online retailers with affiliates in Arkansas to collect and remit Arkansas sales taxes.