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Gary Beatty, Guest columnist Published 7:01 a.m. ET March 2, 2021

Public discourse illustrates that our school system is failing to properly educate future citizens about their fundamental constitutional rights under both the United States'and Florida constitutions.Simply reading the words of either document, without understanding their philosophical underpinnings, tells you nothing of what they actually mean.

To correctly understand either constitution requires at least a basic knowledge of natural law and of the spirit of the law.American constitutions incorporate both (as espoused by Englishman John Locke and Frenchman Baron de Montesquieu) to create the structure of government, and enshrine the rights of citizens.

Debates about two divisive topics, firearms and abortion, illustrate general lack of awareness of these principles. An example of the latter was the recent FLORIDA TODAY letter writer who referred to the well regulated militia language of the Second Amendmentas somehow limiting the right of individual ownership of firearms.

The Department of Defense observes Constitution Day and Citizenship Day Sept. 17 to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on that day in 1787.(Photo: U.S. Air Force illustration/James Borland)

In brief, here are the natural law fundamentals that pertain to the individual ownership of firearms:

* An inalienable right of self-defense against individuals, and government.

* Inalienable means the right cannot be infringed by the government.

* The words well regulated militia mean nothing outside their historical context.

* Individual states can afford their citizens expanded rights beyond the federal constitution.

The United States Supreme Court has repeatedly made it clear the historic natural law context of the well regulated militia language in the Second Amendment places no limitation on the right of individuals to own firearms. Then there is also the right to bear arms under the Florida Constitution.

Since the founding of this nation, the protections of the Bill of Rights to the federal Constitution have been merely the baseline.The states can provide their citizens with more extensive rights. The U.S. Supreme Court has confirmed that is a core principle of our federal system.

An example is Article 1, Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. It guarantees the right of Floridians to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves without any reference to a well regulated militia. So that language in the Second Amendment is irrelevant to the right of Florida citizens.

The only limitation on the Florida right is that the manner of bearing arms may be regulated by law. This means the Legislature can enact reasonable restrictions on where and how firearms can be carried, but (except for felons) it cant infringe the right of private ownership.

So the Second Amendment, and the well regulated militia language, are superfluous to the right of Floridians to keep and bear arms. I have not encountered a Florida high-school grad who knows that.

If our public schools were properly teaching about both the federal and Florida constitutions, this would be common knowledge among high-school students. The fact it is not is proof positive the schools are failing in their responsibility to educate kids about their fundamental constitutional rights.

Another example of that failure is that a right to abortion exists under the Florida Constitution regardless of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. So the right to an abortion would continue in Florida even if Roe were overturned.Florida politicians who create a false political issue about the need to uphold Roe to protect the right of Florida women to get abortions are exploiting the failure of our schools to educate voters.

Why is at least a basic awareness of our rights under the Florida Constitution is not required to graduate from high school in Florida? For that matter, how many public school teachers themselveshave even that basic knowledge? None Ive talked to.Isnt educating the citizenry the whole rationale of expending taxes on public schools?

Gary Beatty(Photo: FLORIDA TODAY files)

I dont expect every voter to have my level of understanding of constitutions.But Im talking about the basics. Having spoken at high schools I know those basics are not being taught.Many students were not even aware Florida had a constitution separate from the United States.Some teachers did not know Florida has a separate Bill of Rights. At the very least, students should be told about their rights. And that means all of their rights. Not just the ones preferred by a progressive political ideology which apparently does not include free speech, and damn sure not the right to private ownership of firearms.

The Declaration of Independence declares that our rights originate from natural law, not from written constitutions, or governments.

Both of those exist to protect our rights.

Thats what should be being taught to our kids.

Gary Beatty lives in Sharpes andis retired from 30 years as an assistant state attorney in Brevard County. He has a doctorate in law andiscertified in criminal trial law by the Florida Bar.

Read or Share this story: https://www.floridatoday.com/story/opinion/2021/03/02/citizens-must-taught-their-constitutional-rights-opinion/6869483002/

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The meaning behind the words: We must educate citizens on their constitutional rights - Florida Today

The Missouri House has given preliminary approval to a measure that would allow some passengers to carry guns on public buses and trains.

(Image courtesy Chayantorn/bigstockphoto.com)

Mar. 3JEFFERSON CITY TheMissouri Housegave preliminary approval Wednesday to a measure that would allow some passengers to carry guns on public buses and trains.

The proposal, sponsored by Rep.Adam Schnelting, R-St. Peters, would apply only to people who have a state-issued concealed carry permit for firearms.

Schnelting said the legislation, which has been sought for at least a decade, is aimed at giving riders a way to defend themselves.

"I believe this legislation will discourage criminal activity on our public transit systems," Schnelting said.

Under current law, it is a crime to board a bus with a dangerous or deadly weapon. The measure wouldn't apply to Amtrak.

Rep.Peter Merideth, D-St. Louis, credited Schnelting for limiting the measure to only those with a concealed carry permit. But, he said his constituents who use the MetroLink train and city buses oppose allowing weapons.

"Adding guns to the equation actually makes people less safe, not more," Merideth said.

TheBoard of CommissionersatBi-State Development, which operates Metro Transit buses and trains, opposes the legislation.

"Concealed carry is not a reasonable assumption in a transit environment, just like it isn't reasonable at stadiums or in any massive crowd situation. As a normal course of business, we are discussing these policy issues with our lawmakers, and state senators in theSt. Louisarea are concerned about the negative impacts of this proposed legislation," saidKevin Scott, general manager of field operations for Metro Transit.

State law now allows only law enforcement personnel to be armed on MetroLink. Metro has the same rule for buses.

The public transit legislation follows the fatal shooting of security guardJames CookonJan. 31at the Delmar MetroLink station.

The proposal, which also is moving in theSenate, is one element of an ongoing push byRepublicansto ease gun laws in a state where gun violence is on the rise.

The Housegave first-round approval last month to a proposal that would prevent local law enforcement from enforcing federal gun laws that aren't on the books inMissouri.

The "Second Amendment Preservation Act," sponsored by Rep.Jered Taylor, R-Nixa, seeks to invalidate federal laws or other actions deemed to infringe on a person's Second Amendment right to bear arms.

The Legislaturein 2016 did away with concealed-carry requirements, and though concealed-carry certifications still exist, they are not required in order to legally carry a gun in public, a law known as "constitutional carry."

The legislation is House Bill 52.

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Missouri moves closer to allowing guns on public buses and trains - SecurityInfoWatch

2021 has seen the introduction of a large number of pro-gunbillsin the Sooner State. A few of them are outlined below. It is important for NRA Members and Second Amendment supporters to stay active this legislative session. Stay updated through NRA-ILA Alerts,and at our website,www.NRAILA.org.

House Bill 1673, sponsored by Rep. Kevin West, allows for an individual to carry a firearm in the designated bar area of a restaurant as long as that person is not consuming alcohol.House Bill 2401, sponsored by Rep. Todd Russ, creates a restoration of rights process that will allow those convicted of nonviolent felonies,to reestablish their Second Amendment rights following a certain period of time with a clean record.House Bill 2475, sponsored by Rep. Wendi Stearman, prevents the use of public funds from being used to advocate against the Second Amendment.House Bill 2645, sponsored by Rep. Jon Echols, is an omnibus bill with clean up language for Oklahomas Constitutional Carry law.Senate Joint Resolution 21updates the state constitution to shall not be infringed and enhances the Second Amendment protections therein.Senate Bill 443,sponsored by Sen. Nathan Dahm, allows for the carry of a firearm in the State Capitol by an individual with an SDA License.Senate Bill 672, sponsored by Sen. Casey Murdock, cleans up state law to allow for the transportation of a long gun in a motor vehicle.Senate Bill 767, sponsored by Sen. David Bullard, allows designated school personnel with an SDA License to carry a firearm for self-defense while on school grounds.

This is only a handful of the bills that have already been introduced.Again, please stay-tuned to NRA-ILA Alerts for more informationandupdates regarding our Second Amendment rights in Oklahoma.

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Oklahoma: Full Slate of Pro-Gun Bills on the Docket in the Legislature - NRA ILA

Sunday, February 21, 2021

Robert Whitcomb, Columnist

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Robert Whitcomb, columnist

Dear Uncle stranger, Cousin known too late,

sweet wife unkissed, come, we will celebrate

in this thronged mirror the uncelebrated dead,

good men and women gone too soon to bed.

-- From Dear Uncle Stranger, by Conrad Aiken (1889-1973)

The control of nature is a phrase conceived in arrogance, born of the Neanderthal age of biology and philosophy, when it was supposed that nature exists for the convenience of man.

-- Rachel Carson (1907-1964), American marine biologist and author. Her most famous book is Silent Spring, about the damage done by pesticides.

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Energy meltdown in Texas

Contrary to the assertions of the usual fossil-fuel fans, Texass use of a lot of wind power (especially in the summer) was not an important culprit in the disaster. Indeed, the wind turbines along Texass Gulf Coast that didnt have ice gumming their works helped ensure that the crisis wasnt even worse. And for that matter wind turbines in Iowa and Canada and a lot of other usually chilly places do fine. So, do solar panels, even if you have to push snow and ice off them from time to time.

The biggest Texas problem was that the natural-gas pipeline system couldnt deliver enough gas to meet the suddenly much higher demand for home heating and electric power. Natural gas is the largest power source in Texas. Pipelines froze and there were cold-related breakdowns at the gas-powered utility plants themselves, some due to poor maintenance and some because the equipment just couldnt handle very low temperatures. And theres obviously not enough backup or as the engineers call it, redundancy. Thats because of utilities drive for maximum profitability.

Consider that back in the 1990s Texas decided against paying power producers to hold gas reserves, even though the common practice in the U.S. and Canada has been to require a buffer of at least 15 percent beyond a typical days need. That also made things worse.

But then, a cursory look at, for example, Americas transportation infrastructure, as well as its electric utilities, shows that were not very enthusiastic about spending money to prepare for emergencies or maintaining public as well as private infrastructure.

Further, the Lone Star State is the only state in the continental United States that runs a stand-alone electricity grid, designed to keep its energy system independent and isolated from other electricity markets.

That means that during storms and extreme heat and cold, most of Texas cant draw from other grids. That raises the question as to whether the entire continental U.S. electrical system should be connected to alleviate regional crises when the occur. Or would that make the whole countrys electricity too vulnerable to cyberattacks by Russians, Chinese, North Koreans, Iranians and other enemies?

At least some of the crisis could have been forecast last month, when the stratospheric air above the Arctic suddenly warmed up. That caused a slow-moving atmospheric chain reaction that weakened the high-level air current circling the Arctic that traps frigid air there. This let frigid air pour into temperate regions of Asia, Europe and North America.

As global warming continues, expect more extreme weather, with more severe storms, worse heat waves and, yes, deep freezes in unlikely places. Our electrical infrastructure must be adapted to these extremes even as we move away from the fossil-fuel burning thats causing global warming.

Heres a good overview of the problem, Click HERE

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Meanwhile, Florida and Alaska have been much warmer than normal this winter.

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U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX)

But so what?! All hed do back home is posture and get in the way. If only hed move to Cancun permanently.

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Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott and Governor Gina Raimondo

Why, oh why was Rhode Island so late in creating a truly centralized, reliable and easy-to-understand vaccination-registration system instead of the chaotic, confusing hodge-podge that we saw for weeks? Its a tiny, densely populated jurisdiction that would seem well-positioned for such a system. But what weve had is a mess, though its been getting better the last week or so. Massachusetts (Medical Capital of the World!) has had similar vaccination-rollout problems, though theyre being addressed faster now.

The mixed messages in the Ocean State have been something. Consider that people officially too young to get shots in the first cohorts have been able to jump the lines and get them. Apparently, its easy to lie about your age amidst the confusion.

I think a big, if well-intentioned, problem has been efforts to almost micro-target high-risk groups, which has tangled up the wider anti-COVID effort.

Even West Virginia, which, like many Red States, has many impoverished residents, along with bad health indices because of poorly funded health systems, has done much better than us managing the COVID crisis so far. It rapidly created a registry system that assigns everyone seeking a vaccination a place in line and notifies them when and where they can be vaccinated.

Lets hope that Rhode Islands shot-sign-up site, vaccinateri.org, can handle the crush of people seeking shots. Massachusettss vaccine appointment site, vaxfinder.mass.gov,crashed Thursday morning as about 1 million residents became newly eligible to book their appointments! Any techno lessons there for the Ocean State, even taking into consideration that its population is much smaller? Spend (and tax) whatever it takes to make these sites work.

Post-Pandemic Learning Catch Up

How much learning has been lost because of COVID-19 rules and closings in our schools for the past year? All states should use the results of coming standardized tests and other indices to determine how far behind COVID has left them. Dont cancel the standardized tests. Use them to help figure out how to structure catch-up programs.

Kids in lower socio-economic groups who lack the help (including computer equipment) that kids from more comfortable backgrounds have gotten to try to weather the crisis have fallen the most behind. We need to figure out what sort of remedial programs could help narrow the gap. This will cost tax money, but its absolutely necessary for the future of the country.

Assuming that the vaccination process moves fast enough, this summer ought to see many schools open for catch-up work.

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Expectations for massive job loss due to AI

Last November, Bill Gates predicted that half of business travel and 30 percent of days in the office would disappear forever. Meanwhile, the McKinsey Global Institute says that a mere 20 percent of business travel wont return and about 20 percent of workers might be working from home indefinitely. Whomever you believe, all this means far fewer jobs at hotels, restaurants and downtown shops, even as the pandemic has speeded the automation of (i.e., killing of) many office jobs (including home office jobs) and more factory jobs.

So what can government do to train people for new, post-pandemic jobs, assuming that there will be many? How can vocational and other schools be brought into this project? The trades electricians, plumbers, carpenters, roofers, plasterers, etc., will probably have the most secure, and generally well compensated, jobs going forward, along with physicians, dentists and nurses as well as engineers of all sorts and computer-software and other techies.

Another part of the jobs package should be a WPA-style program to rebuild Americas infrastructure, which the drive for lower taxes and higher short-term profits has dangerously eroded. (See Texas again.) This has undermined the nations long-term economic health. Such a program could also serve to train many people in new, post-pandemic skills that would be useful even as automation accelerates.

Of course, there will always be jobs available for very low-paid personal-help people, such as home health-care workers. Indeed, the aging of the population means that well need a lot more of them

Andrew Yang, an entrepreneur who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, made addressing the looming threat of automation-caused job losses a key part of his campaign, which he suspended before the pandemic. He has proposed giving Americans a $12,000-a-year basic income to help get them through the developing employment implosion. It may come to that.

Meanwhile, meds and eds Greater Bostons (of which Rhode Island is on the edge) dense medical, technological and higher-education complexes will help save it at least from the worst of the long-term economic disruption caused by the pandemic. Much research must be done by teams in labs; technological breakthroughs require a lot of in-person collaboration, and most college students will continue to want and need in-person teaching. Further, Greater Boston is an international venture-capital and company start-up center. These high-risk activities also require a lot of in-person, look-em-in-the-eye work.

On the other hand, Bostons banks and its famed retirement-investment companies, such as Fidelity, will never have as many employees working in its offices as before COVID-19; nor will its innumerable law firms. Many offices in high rises in downtown Boston (and Providence) will remain empty for a long time while architects, engineers and interior designers try to figure out what to do with them.

But No Room ServiceSome of those COVID-closed hotels and motels may never reopen. Can some be converted into housing -- rental apartments or condos to mitigate our housing-affordability crisis? I would think so.

Ready, Aim, Raise Money

It says something about the current state of the gun-obsessed Republican/QAnon Party that Rhode Islands Republican Conservative Caucus is raffling off firearms, including an AR-15 assault rifle, to raise money to elect more alleged conservatives (translation: far-right populists) to the states General Assembly.

The quote below is from the then-retired U.S. Chief Justice Warren Burger (1907-1995) in 1990. The Second Amendment interpretation by this true conservative judge was generally the one held by the Supreme Court until far-right appointees of Republican presidents, in league with the gun lobby, began to take over the court. He was chief justice in 1969-1986.

The Gun Lobbys interpretation of the Second Amendment is one of the greatest pieces of fraud, I repeat the word fraud, on the American People by special interest groups that I have ever seen in my lifetime. The real purpose of the Second Amendment was to ensure that state armies the militia would be maintained for the defense of the state. The very language of the Second Amendment refutes any argument that it was intended to guarantee every citizen an unfettered right to any kind of weapon he or she desires.

The Second Amendment:

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Note that the Founders wrote not only Militia but also well regulated, in those days before assault rifles.

Go here to read the rest:
Whitcomb: Power Failures; Test How Far Behind They Are; Imploding Employment; Rush Job - GoLocalProv

A total of 43 constitutional amendments have been proposed at the Arkansas Legislature this year. Lawmakers can refer up to three of these constitutional amendments to voters for consideration. The three amendments selected from these 43 measures would appear on the 2022 General Election ballot.

Our team has reviewed and summarized each of the 43 proposed measures currently in play in Little Rock. Below is a breakdown of each proposed constitutional amendment. Family Council supports some of these measures; we oppose others; and we have no position on most of them. As noted below, it is possible Family Councils position on some measures could change as proposals are amended or new information comes to light.

H.J.R.1006 by Rep. Frances Fran Cavenaugh (R-AR-060)

H.J.R. 1006 amends the Arkansas Constitution to permit voters to recall elected officials and judges in Arkansas. Upon initial review, Family Council supports this amendment.

H.J.R.1010 by Rep. Joe Cloud (R-AR-071)

H.J.R. 1010 amends the Arkansas Constitution to remove authorization of a casino in Pope County. This is a good amendment that will help curtail casino gambling in Arkansas. Family Council supports H.J.R. 1010.

H.J.R.1011 by Rep. Joe Cloud (R-AR-071)

H.J.R. 1011 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It changes the casino amendment that authorizes casino gambling in Pope, Jefferson, Garland, and Crittenden counties. Under H.J.R. 1011, the Arkansas Racing Commission would not issue a casino license in Pope County unless the voters of the county approve conducting casino gaming at a local election. Family Council supports H.J.R. 1011.

H.J.R.1018 by Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R-AR-087), Sen. Jane English (R-AR-034)

H.J.R. 1018 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It clarifies that proceeds from the Arkansas Lottery may be used to fund scholarships and grants to students at vocational-technical and technical institutes. Currently, lottery scholarships are only available to students enrolled in public or private two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Family Council supports legislation that ensures lottery-funded scholarships are managed responsibly. We support H.J.R. 1018.

H.J.R.1024 by Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R-AR-057), Sen. Jason Rapert (R-AR-035)

H.J.R. 1024 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It prevents the government from burdening a persons free exercise of religion. The measure is similar to Arkansas state Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Family Council strongly supports this good amendment to the Arkansas Constitution.

H.J.R.1025 by Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R-AR-057)

H.J.R. 1025 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It says that the sanctity of life is paramount to all other rights protected by the constitution. It states that Arkansas citizens, acting as jurors, have the sole authority to determine the amount of compensation or civil penalty imposed because of injuries resulting in death or resulting from acts that create a significant risk to life. H.J.R. 1025 will help prevent the State of Arkansas from placing a price tag on human life. Family Council strongly supports this good amendment.

S.J.R.14 by Sen. Jason Rapert (R-AR-035), Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R-AR-057)

S.J.R. 14 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It prevents the government from burdening a persons free exercise of religion. The measure is similar to Arkansas state Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Family Council strongly supports this good amendment to the Arkansas Constitution.

S.J.R.16 by Sen. Alan Clark (R-AR-013)

S.J.R. 16 would amend the Arkansas Constitution to require public schools to designate their athletic teams as male or female, and require student athletes to compete according to their biological sex. This would prevent boys who claim to be girls from competing in girls sports at school and vice versa. Family Council supports this measure.

H.J.R.1008 by Rep. DeAnn Vaught (R-AR-004)

H.J.R. 1008 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It requires initiatives and referenda submitted to voters via petition drives to be approved by at least 60% of the votes cast on the measure in order to pass. However, it would not require constitutional amendments submitted by the General Assembly to be approved by 60% of the vote. Family Council opposes this measure.

H.J.R.1014 by Rep. Lee Johnson (R-AR-075), Sen. Missy Irvin (R-AR-018)

H.J.R. 1014 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It gives the Arkansas Legislature the power to cap non-economic and punitive damages that courts can award when a person is injured or killed through someone elses negligence. Family Council has never opposed responsible lawsuit reforms. However, H.J.R. 1014 makes it possible for the Arkansas Legislature to put a price tag on human life. Family Council opposes this proposed constitutional amendment.

H.J.R.1015 by Rep. Jim Dotson (R-AR-093), Sen. Bob Ballinger (R-AR-005)

H.J.R. 1015 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It gives the Arkansas Legislature the power to set rules about pleading, practice, procedure, and evidence for all courts in Arkansas. Family Council has never opposed responsible lawsuit reforms. However, giving the Arkansas Legislature the ability to restrict evidence that can or cannot be used in court may make it difficult or impossible for people to obtain justice in court. Family Council opposes this proposed constitutional amendment.

S.J.R.7 by Sen. Bob Ballinger (R-AR-005), Rep. Jim Dotson (R-AR-093)

S.J.R. 7 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It gives the Arkansas Legislature the power to set rules about pleading, practice, procedure, and evidence for all courts in Arkansas. Family Council has never opposed responsible lawsuit reforms. However, giving the Arkansas Legislature the ability to restrict evidence that can or cannot be used in court may make it difficult or impossible for people to obtain justice in court. Family Council opposes this proposed constitutional amendment.

S.J.R.8 by Sen. Missy Irvin (R-AR-018), Rep. Lee Johnson (R-AR-075)

S.J.R. 8 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It gives the Arkansas Legislature the power to cap non-economic and punitive damages courts can award when a person is injured or killed through someone elses negligence. Family Council has never opposed responsible lawsuit reforms. However, S.J.R. 8 makes it possible for the Arkansas Legislature to put a price tag on human life. Family Council opposes this proposed constitutional amendment.

S.J.R.9 by Sen. Bob Ballinger (R-AR-005), Rep. Jim Dotson (R-AR-093)

S.J.R. 9 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It gives the Arkansas Legislature the power to set rules about pleading, practice, procedure, and evidence for all courts in Arkansas. Family Council has never opposed responsible lawsuit reforms. However, giving the Arkansas Legislature the ability to restrict evidence that can or cannot be used in court may make it difficult or impossible for people to obtain justice in court. Family Council opposes this proposed constitutional amendment.

H.J.R.1001 by Rep. Frances Fran Cavenaugh (R-AR-060), Sen. Breanne Davis (R-AR-016)

H.J.R. 1001 amends the Arkansas Constitution to let the General Assembly convene itself into session if the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate issue a joint proclamation calling the legislature into assembly. Currently, special sessions of the Arkansas Legislature can only be called by the governor. Family Council is neutral on H.J.R. 1001.

H.J.R.1002 by Rep. David Tollett (R-AR-012)

H.J.R. 1002 amends the Arkansas Constitution concerning ad valorem property tax assessments for the benefit of school districts. Family Council has no position on this measure.

H.J.R.1003 by Rep. Michelle Gray (R-AR-062), Sen. James Sturch (R-AR-019)

H.J.R. 1003 amends the Arkansas Constitution concerning taxes for the construction, operation, and improvement of public libraries. Family Council is neutral on H.J.R. 1003.

H.J.R.1004 by Rep. Stephen Meeks (R-AR-067)

H.J.R. 1004 amends the Arkansas Constitution concerning mill tax on real and personal property. Family Council is neutral on H.J.R. 1004.

H.J.R.1005 by Rep. David Ray (R-AR-040), Sen. Bart Hester (R-AR-001)

H.J.R. 1005 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It requires initiatives, referenda, constitutional amendments, and referred measures submitted to voters to be approved by at least 60% of the votes cast on the measure in order to pass. Family Council is currently neutral on this measure, pending amendments that may be made to it.

H.J.R.1007 by Rep. Fredrick Fred Love (D-AR-029)

H.J.R. 1007 amends the Arkansas Constitution to create the Citizens Commission on the Minimum Wage. The commission would have the sole authority to increase the minimum wage in Arkansas. Family Council has no position on this measure.

H.J.R.1009 by Rep. Jim Dotson (R-AR-093)

H.J.R. 1009 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It amends the name, membership, powers, and duties of the State Highway Commission. Family Council has no position on this measure.

H.J.R.1012 by Rep. John Payton (R-AR-064)

H.J.R. 1012 amends the Arkansas constitution to revise the duties of certain constitutional officers. Family Council has no position on this measure.

H.J.R.1013 by Rep. John Payton (R-AR-064)

H.J.R. 1013 amends the Arkansas constitution to revise the duties of certain constitutional officers. Family Council has no position on this measure.

H.J.R.1016 by Rep. Jim Dotson (R-AR-093)

H.J.R. 1016 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It is a shell amendment at this time, and it does not contain any actual provisions. Family Council will take a position on this measure if and when provisions are added to it.

H.J.R.1017 by Rep. Jim Dotson (R-AR-093)

H.J.R. 1017 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It is a shell amendment at this time, and it does not contain any actual provisions. Family Council may take a position on this measure if and when provisions are added to it.

H.J.R.1019 by Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R-AR-087), Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R-AR-006)

H.J.R. 1019 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It clarifies that candidates for the Arkansas Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Circuit Court, and District Court shall be elected on a partisan basis rather than on a non-partisan basis. Family Council has no position on this measure.

H.J.R.1020 by Rep. Josh Miller (R-AR-066)

H.J.R. 1020 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It is a shell amendment at this time, and it does not contain any actual provisions. Family Council may take a position on this measure if and when provisions are added to it.

H.J.R.1021 by Rep. Vivian Flowers (D-AR-017)

H.J.R. 1021 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It repeals language in the state constitution permitting slavery or involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime. Family Council is neutral on this measure.

H.J.R.1022 by Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R-AR-057)

H.J.R. 1022 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It is a shell amendment at this time, and it does not contain any actual provisions. Family Council may take a position on this measure if and when provisions are added to it.

H.J.R.1023 by Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R-AR-057), Sen. Jason Rapert (R-AR-035)

H.J.R. 1023 amends the Arkansas Constitution to say that Arkansans have a fundamental right to keep and bear arms. Family Council supports the Second Amendment, but we currently have no position on this measure.

S.J.R.1 by Sen. Alan Clark (R-AR-013)

S.J.R. 1 amends the Arkansas Constitution. It lets municipalities use short-term financing options to acquire fire trucks. Family Council is neutral on this measure.

S.J.R.10 by Rep. Frances Fran Cavenaugh (R-AR-060), Sen. Breanne Davis (R-AR-016)

S.J.R. 10 amends the Arkansas Constitution to let the General Assembly convene itself into session if the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate issue a joint proclamation calling the legislature into assembly. Currently, special sessions of the Arkansas Legislature can only be called by the governor. Family Council is neutral on S.J.R. 10.

S.J.R.11 by Sen. Greg Leding (D-AR-004), Rep. Jay Richardson (D-AR-078)

S.J.R. 11 is a proposed constitutional amendment. It would change Arkansas laws governing rental agreements, landlords, and tenants. Family Council is neutral on this constitutional amendment.

S.J.R.12 by Sen. Greg Leding (D-AR-004)

S.J.R. 12 would amend the Arkansas Constitution concerning the qualifications to vote in an election. The measure is a shell bill, and it currently does not contain any provisions. Family Council is neutral on this measure at this time.

S.J.R.13 by Sen. Jason Rapert (R-AR-035), Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R-AR-057)

S.J.R. 13 amends the Arkansas Constitution to say that Arkansans have a fundamental right to keep and bear arms. Family Council supports the Second Amendment, but we currently have no position on this measure.

S.J.R.15 by Sen. Alan Clark (R-AR-013)

S.J.R. 15 amends the Arkansas Constitution to require the governor to call a special session of the Arkansas Legislature when issuing an executive order or proclamation declaring an emergency. The special session would give the Arkansas Legislature an opportunity to consider legislation related to the emergency. Family Council is neutral on this measure.

S.J.R.17 by Sen. Bob Ballinger (R-AR-005), Rep. Justin Gonzales (R-AR-019)

S.J.R. 17 would amend the Arkansas Constitution concerning the review of the constitutionality of certain federal actions before the federal actions are implemented in Arkansas. The measure is a shell bill, and it currently does not contain any provisions. Family Council is neutral on this measure at this time.

S.J.R.18 by Sen. Alan Clark (R-AR-013)

S.J.R. 18 would propose an amendment to the United States Constitution limiting the U.S. Supreme Court to nine justices. Family Council is neutral on this measure at this time.

S.J.R.2 by Sen. Alan Clark (R-AR-013)

S.J.R. 2 amends the Arkansas Constitution to make it possible for the Arkansas Legislature to convene itself into special session if a majority of the legislators sign a petition submitted to the governor calling for a special session. Currently, special sessions of the Arkansas Legislature can only be called by the governor. Family Council is neutral on this measure.

S.J.R.3 by Sen. Alan Clark (R-AR-013)

S.J.R. 3 amends the Arkansas Constitution to permit the State of Arkansas to be sued just like any other entity and taken to court. Family Council is currently neutral on S.J.R. 3.

S.J.R.4 by Sen. Mark Johnson (R-AR-015)

S.J.R. 4 amends the Arkansas Constitution to require the General Assembly to provide laws establishing, maintaining, and supporting free public schools. Family Council is neutral on S.J.R. 4.

S.J.R.5 by Sen. Jason Rapert (R-AR-035)

S.J.R. 5 amends the Arkansas Constitution concerning the manner in which primary elections are conducted. The measure is a shell bill, and it currently does not contain any provisions. Family Council is neutral on this measure at this time.

S.J.R.6 by Sen. Clarke Tucker (D-AR-032), Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R-AR-057)

S.J.R. 6 would amend the Arkansas Constitution. It requires the Arkansas Legislature to enact laws revising the election process for primary elections, special primary elections, and general elections. It also requires the legislature to enact laws establishing the process for choosing delegates that will nominate presidential candidates and electors for the President and Vice President of the United States. Family Council currently has no position on this proposed constitutional amendment.

2-19-21 4:40 p.m. KAWX.ORG

Arkansas Family Council

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Here are the 43 Constitutional Amendments Proposed in Arkansas - kawx.org