OTHER ISSUES SEEK PLACE ON BALLOT

There are more ballot initiatives in the mill besides the proposal to
change state liquor laws that was discussed here Thursday. Some are
familiar issues: term limits and the sales tax on groceries, for
example.

Two of the proposals are in the form of constitutional amendments;
two are initiated acts. The difference is that when voters approve a
constitutional amendment it becomes imbedded in the state
constitution and cannot be changed unless voters approve another
amendment. An initiated act can be repealed or changed by a
two-thirds vote of the General Assembly.

Proponents of all the proposals must jump through the same legal
hoops. Once their ballot titles have been approved by the state
attorney general's office, they must gather a certain number of
signatures of registered voters, then submit their petitions to the
secretary of state's office for certification by July 5. If a
sufficient number of signatures are declared valid, then the issue is
placed on the November general election ballot.

Constitutional amendments this year require 71,600 signatures;
initiated acts require 56,481 signatures.

One of the constitutional amendments sure to polarize voters is a
proposal to extend term limits for state legislators. Currently,
House members are limited to three two-year terms and senators to two
four- year terms. The proposal by state Rep. Jim Lendall,
D-Mabelvale, would double the length of terms. House members would
serve 12 years, or six two-year terms, and senators would be limited
to 16 years, or four four-year terms.

A second constitutional amendment raises a familiar issue: tax on
food. Sponsored by the Libertarian Party, the amendment would abolish
the state sales tax on groceries. This is the second attempt at
gathering signatures; two years ago the sponsors ran out of time.

Also, the legislature has for years rejected bills attempting to drop
the sales tax on food and replace the lost revenue with another
source. However, the amendment does not propose to replace the
revenue; it simply ends the tax.

The two initiated acts involve legalizing the use of marijuana for
medical purposes and creating tougher laws for animal abuse.

The medical marijuana issue also came up two years ago but did not
make it to the ballot. The Alliance for the Reform of Drug Policy in
Arkansas, which has promoted the issue for several years, is again
sponsoring the petition drive. Basically, the proposal would allow
the legal use of marijuana by people with certain medical problems if
that use is authorized by a doctor.

To toughen laws protecting animals, the other initiated act would
make torturing an animal a felony. Under current law, the offense is
a misdemeanor and carries penalties of up to a year in jail and
$1,000 fine. The proposed act would make animal torture a Class D
felony, with a maximum six-year prison sentence and fine of up to
$10,000, or both.

During the spring and early summer months, voters will be stopped at
various public locations and asked to sign petitions for these (and
perhaps other) proposals. Be sure you understand what issue you want
to see on the ballot before you sign.