March 9, 2012 Sine Die/Election of Speaker-designate
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Chair (Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.)
Unverified
0:00
It's 12 noon, so we need to start out just a few minutes before so we can get there on time.
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
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0:30
Members of the House, come to order. I invite you to stand along with the staff, the press,
Chair (Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.)
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0:49
our guests, and the galleries, be led in prayer by House Chaplain Reverend John Fleming, and to remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Billy Gaskell.
Speaker 5
1:00
I first say before we pray that what honor it has been, one of the greatest honors of my life, to be house chaplain during this assembly. Thank you for that honor. I also want to say that as I was coming today, several people said, here's your last prayer. I hope not. But I hope I have a chance to pray later today, as a matter of fact. But the passage that came to my heart this morning, thank you.
The passage that came to my heart this morning was Jesus' parable of the talents. You remember Jesus tells the story of a man who entrusted his property to three people. And while he was away, one had five talents, one had two talents, and one had one talent. And when he returned to the five talent and the two talent servants, he said, well done, good and faithful servant. That's on my heart today, so let us pray. Gracious God, we thank you for this wonderful day,
the chance to come together once again to honor you with our presence and power. We ask, Lord, that you would say of us in this assembly, well done, good and faithful servants. Let us continue to do the work that you set before us in this life. Be with those who are in harm's way today, especially those in our military. We ask for a blessing. In Jesus' name, amen. All
Chair (Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.)
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2:46
right, members, please indicate your presence by pushing the yellow present button.
Speaker 13
2:51
Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. that yellow
Chair (Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.)
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3:06
yellow present button okay cast out the ballot mr. clerk uh chair recognizes 93 members present uh request for leave representative meeks what purpose uh
Speaker 13
3:19
leave representative hutchinson uh leave granted for
representative hutchinson leave granted representative pierce
Speaker 17
3:31
what purpose i had a little malfunction with my button it didn't we pushed it and it didn't show
Chair (Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.)
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3:39
nothing all right All right, let's, we will recognize Representative Pierce is here with us. Representative Wren, what purpose? Leave. Leave for Representative Ratliff. Leave granted for Representative Ratliff.
Leave granted. Any other requests for leave?
Okay. Mr. Clerk, change total, showing there's 94 members that are present. representative eddie cheetah moves that we dispense with the reading of the previous day's journal no objections so ordered members in accordance with the provisions of hcr one zero one one the fiscal session of the house of representatives of the 88th general assembly
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
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4:26
is adjourned, sign a die. Now the House will reconvene in 15 minutes
Chair (Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.)
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4:51
for the purpose of electing the speaker designate. So we'll see you back here in 15 minutes.
Unknown speaker
5:24
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Chair (Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.)
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18:54
Members please take your place at your desk. House
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
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19:02
caucus will come to order. Members please indicate your
Chair (Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.)
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19:07
presence by pushing the yellow present button. Prepare the machine Mr. Clerk.
As everyone had an opportunity to indicate their presence, I cast up the ballot. Mr. Clerk, Chair, recognizes 95 members present.
Request for leave. Representative Meeks, recognized. Representative Hutchinson. Leave for Representative Hutchinson. Representative Wren, you recognize. Leave. Representative Ratliff. Leave for Representative Ratliff. Leave. Leave granted
Representative Murdoch You're okay representative Murdoch commissioner Clark. We indicate representative Murdoch is present and I will let the record reflect There's 96 members president representative Walker Okay, all right Representative Ingram, what purpose?
Speaker 29
20:28
Announcement. How about a motion? Excuse me, a motion. Let's hear your motion. What's your
Representative Keith M. Ingram
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20:44
motion? Motion on rules. We're going to waive for the rule 82, suspend the rules to set a date for
Chair (Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.)
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20:53
a meeting of rules committee. okay your your motion is to suspend suspend the rules that correct yes sir that's a proper
motion not debatable you recognize come to the well and explain your motion
Representative Keith M. Ingram
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21:09
for the benefit of our members thank you mr. speaker in as much as the house rules committee has not met to address the new caucus memberships as necessary from the recent statewide reapportionment, I move that Rule 82 of the House of Representatives be suspended until 1.30, Wednesday, April
18, 2012, when we can adopt the new caucus memberships and determine their respective chairs basically what we're doing in our rule book the new numbers for the house districts do not match up with the old numbers so we will align them into caucuses
Chair (Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.)
Unverified
21:55
at that time i'll take a question represent clamor you recognize for question i'm just curious
Speaker 36
22:04
we're we don't represent our new
districts yet though is that correct
Speaker 32
22:09
well in the rules book the districts are listed numerically so whatever your district is
Representative Keith M. Ingram
Unverified
22:15
when reapportionment came it might not be the same number your district might not be and so we have to renumber the districts in each caucus one through a hundred okay thank you representative lee what purpose point of order
Speaker 39
22:36
not a point of order pardon me a
question you said 80 okay
Chair (Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.)
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22:40
you're recognized for a question please excuse me
Speaker 39
22:44
mr speaker um you said rule 82 and i believe you're speaking about rule 80 aren't you
Representative Keith M. Ingram
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22:51
no ma'am i'm speaking about rule 82 that this body adapted in january uh in the current uh book that you're looking at it is rule 80 but you're looking at the rules that were adopted
Chair (Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.)
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23:07
by the previous pursuant to the activity
of this body on that rule and any others on april 18th uh then we will be publishing a new book which will be the rules, published rules of the 8th General Assembly after the meeting on April 18th. So right now, we've adopted some rules that are not in the blue book that's before you there. Okay, any other questions? All right, we have a motion, non-debatable. Question for the House is suspension of House Rule 82.
All in favor say aye. Aye. those no let the record reflect that more than 67 members voted uh affirmative on the motion all right members uh in accordance with the house rules the house caucus is convened for the purpose of electing one of our members as speaker designated ladies and gentlemen the house it is extremely important that we have the full attention and cooperation of all members of the house as we continue this process which will be in accordance with the rules of the house
A meeting was held on Wednesday, January the 18th to allow members of the House to file as candidates for the position of Speaker Desnett. That meeting was attended by Representatives Terry Rice and Representative Darren Williams. The two members who had indicated their interest in seeking the position were allowed an opportunity to draw for ballot position. The results of the drawing were Representative Darren Williams, position number one, Representative Terry Rice, position number two.
At that time, the rules pertinent to these proceedings were discussed with the candidates. The House rules provide for each candidate to be allowed 15 minutes to address the House before the ballot is taken. Absentee balloting has been completed, the deadline being two hours before the convening of this caucus for this scheduled election. So, again, I ask your cooperation and professionalism for the balance of today's proceedings.
Each candidate will be allowed 15 minutes to speak, and following that, the balloting will commence. It is absolutely imperative that each member be in his or her seat and remain seated while the ballots are being distributed, while the balloting is taking place, and while the ballots are retrieved. must have clear access to all of the aisles and seats. So whether you voted absentee or whether you are privy to vote now, you are asked to remain seated until the balloting
is completed. Are there any questions? If not, in accordance with the House rules, I now recognize Representative Darren Williams to speak for up to 15 minutes. Representative Williams, you are recognized.
Representative Darrin Williams
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26:20
Ladies and gentlemen of the 80th General Assembly, today I humbly stand before you and respectfully ask for your vote to be the next speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives. If elected your speaker, I pledge to serve with fairness, humility, and above all, integrity, as together we face the issues facing our state. During my first term, several of my second-term colleagues, colleagues on both sides of the aisle,
asked me to consider running for speaker if we reached our third term. After thoughtful consideration and prayer, I decided to accept their challenge. I appreciate those who planted this seed in my mind. I'm proud that you believed then, and I hope that you believe now, that I possess the qualities necessary to lead this body. I want to thank my friends, my law partners, and my family for helping me make this decision, especially my wife Nicole, who's seated in the gallery today. Nicole, thank you.
We're all products of our experiences, and in most any endeavor, experience matters. So please, allow me to share just a few of my experiences which I believe are relevant in serving in this position of Speaker. My first government experience was serving as an aide to Senator David Pryor. There I learned the value of constituency services. On the local level, I served for nearly five years as planning commissioner, working side
by side with our council to improve our city. And on the state level, I was privileged to serve as both chief of staff and chief deputy attorney general. In these positions, I supervised 130 employees, managed a budget of $15 million, and directed the legal representation of virtually every state agency, board and commission, including representing state officers and members of the General Assembly. This government experience provides me with a unique understanding of the interrelationship
among the federal, state, and local government. Nevertheless, I value my private sector experience. I am a small business owner. I serve as the managing partner of a law firm that employs a dozen people, and we have relationships with vendors all across the country. I know the value of hard work. I know what it means to make payroll. Now, all of that said, I think it's my experience in this body which
provides me with a clear understanding of what it means to be Speaker. Our rules require that our Speaker, along with a parliamentarian, will decide all rules of order. Having served for two terms on the Rules Committee, and now serving as your Judiciary Chairman, I am knowledgeable and I understand the rules of this body. Now, I must admit, Robert Powers' call for division last week was a new one on me, but I got it now. During our regular
session, 194 bills were introduced and sent to the Judiciary Committee. Our committee, through the hard work of each member. And I believe that the leadership that I set as chair, we handled the people's business without unnecessary partisanship or controversy. Now, you would expect a candidate for speaker to say they're going to be bipartisan. Well, in this regard, I ask you to judge me
not by what I say I will do, but what my record demonstrates I have done. In 2009, as the freshman legislator, building on the previous work of other legislators, I set out to reform our laws related to metal theft. I built a coalition, a coalition of farmers, utility and telecommunications workers, realtors, contractors, local and state law enforcement, even the scrap metal industry.
Through intense debate and serious discussion, we forged a plan. I took that plan, and I set out to talk to every member of the General Assembly, asking them to sign on as a co-sponsor. At the conclusion of my work, 64 members of the House, including 20 of the 28 Republicans serving, and almost one half of the Senate signed on as co-sponsors for that legislation. Not a single person on either end of this Capitol voted against that measure.
Now, this is not a one-time occurrence. I used that same strategy also in 2009 when I asked you to protect Arkansas consumers by strengthening our laws related to tax preparers. And, of course, most recently, in this last regular session, Speaker Moore asked me to lead the House's effort to pass sentencing reform legislation. I worked day and night speaking to those who support the bill, as well as those who oppose it, asking them to sign on to this important legislation.
When we passed citizen reform legislation, 71 of you signed on as co-sponsors. The ability to forge a consensus among the diversity of this body is an important skill that is required of our next speaker. My record demonstrates that I am a consensus builder. I also consider myself a servant leader.
I uphold a philosophy embodied in a quote by Arthur Ward. We must listen. We must be silent before we can listen. we must listen before we can learn we must learn before we can prepare we must prepare before we can serve and we must serve before we can lead
my strong desire to lead this body as your speaker is only compels in comparison to my even stronger desire to lead this body, each member, and the people of Arkansas in service. My vision for our House is that we honor our republic form of government by focusing our collective efforts on representing the needs and the interests of the people. I am a proud Democrat, but I respect the Republicans
in this chamber. I value our two-party system. It has many uses and purposes. However, we must reject Washington, D.C. style politics, for the political process becomes paralyzed because partisanship and party politics are placed before the people that we have sworn to serve. Experience teaches me that neither Republicans nor Democrats hold a monopoly on good ideas we should encourage discussion and strong debate but we
should do so with stability not by trying to score point for our party but trying to ensure that if the people of Arkansas win election contest they have their place but it is not within the walls of this house I am always mindful what we do within these walls makes a real difference in the lives of the people that we serve. As Dr. King often said, we are caught up in an inescapable network of
mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects us all indirectly. As Speaker, I want to foster an environment where we function like a patchwork quilt, not just red blankets and blue blankets, where each one of us contributes with the common thread of wanting to do what is best for the people of Arkansas, we set policies that build our state up rather than tear each other down. The 89th General Assembly will face serious issues. We must ensure that every child has opportunity for world-class education. We must solve our Medicaid problem. We must continue to promote policies that strengthen jobs and grow our economy. These are complex issues. But in partnership with our governor,
the State Senate, we will find solutions. I have the utmost respect for this body and all of its traditions, and I am so thankful for the voters of District 36 for providing me the opportunity to serve in the Arkansas House of Representatives. If you elect me as your speaker, I will faithfully execute the duties of this office to the best of my ability. I will work with each member to find common sense solutions, and to find common ground. I respectfully request that you mark
your ballot for Darren Williams as your next speaker. Thank you, and
Chair (Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.)
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36:17
may God bless you. I will now recognize Representative Terry Rice to come and speak for up to
Speaker 50
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15 minutes. I want to thank each member for the opportunity and honor to address you today.
Representative Terry Rice
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36:49
I appreciate each supporter for your hard work and encouragement.
encouragement, and I want to thank each member for your courtesy to me. I'm joined today by my high school sweetheart and wife of 39 years, Joanne, in the gallery. We've been
blessed with two grown sons, wonderful daughters-in-law, and four fantastic grandchildren. Joanne maintains
our home in one of our
small businesses. She's been a willing partner in following the family tradition of public service of my father and grandfather, Democrats who served a combined 22 years in this chamber and taught me the values I believe. Be rest assured, because Because of the respect I have for this institution and you, my fellow House members, I will be
open to the ideas of both parties and embrace any and all good ideas that serve the best interests of
the citizens of this great state. I will work with the Governor and the Senate to make this happen. If elected today, I will consistently select House leadership on the basis of individual abilities and leadership qualities, not on party affiliation.
I remind all of us, we must never forget that we serve the public, not the other way
around. We will have vigorous debate, but we must continue to build a better
Arkansas. It is important that this debate take place and all aspects of proposals be examined. I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to present your views, and
And when all the views are heard, we must come together on the behalf of the state. I believe we have three policy initiatives that are important to the future of Arkansas. We are at a critically important time for our state and the well-being of Arkansas. The question really will be, can we work together to accomplish a positive future?
We cannot sit on the sidelines and allow Arkansas jobs to scurry across the border in the neighboring states. All you have to do is visit West Memphis and Texarkana and understand the issue. My first policy initiative will be to develop a long-term plan that will reduce the state's income tax, reduce over-regulation, and promote growth. We must understand our sister states are pulling out the stops to create a business climate
that will ensure their future. Texas and Tennessee already do not have state income taxes. Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri have proposals to reduce and or eliminate their state's income taxes. We must not be left behind on an island by ourselves. We must develop a strategy that includes increasing efficiency, reducing waste, and encouraging growth that will trigger
a way to reduce taxes. Hardworking Arkansans need to keep more of what they earn. Efficiency in operation will not mean less services but improved and expanded services. Let's remember the economic reality. Good jobs and a prosperous Arkansas depend on small business. Government does have a role because we can choose to create the environment to help business grow.
Arkansas needs a level playing field as we compete for and hold on to Arkansas businesses. I propose we exempt small business from additional regulations, fees, and taxes. This will be a bottom-up approach. We need to stop strangling our business community with more and more regulations. Also, we need to cut the fees and taxes that ultimately have kept small businesses from
creating and expanding jobs. While I am committed to expanding opportunities for Arkansas, it cannot be at the expense of allowing unethical behavior by those who would take unnecessary advantage. Reduced regulation is not to be an open invitation to take advantage of others because we must not strangle business because of the sins of a few. We should vigorously pursue who break the law, those who break the law, and choose to operate in unethical business practices.
In addition, it is my goal that as a body we would bring exemplary legislation to stop the depopulation, depopulatization of much of Arkansas and create a business environment that would reverse this trend. You all know my family and I are rural Arkansans from a small town. The rural areas of our state have been hit particularly hard.
Many of the counties continue to lose population and jobs. For instance, many may have missed the fact that agriculture in this state produces $16 billion for this state. It is
a huge enterprise, and while it doesn't present and provide the employment of the past,
it is an extremely important sector of our state's economy and way of life.
It is rural Arkansas. We are proud of the growth of Northwest Arkansas, Jonesboro, Central Arkansas, and other hot spots around the state. But let's be clear, many folks prefer the lifestyle of rural Arkansas, and we must be careful not to continue the urbanization of two or three areas only, and not to promote
growth in the rural communities. A balance of the two is needed. want choices about where to live and raise their children. My
second policy initiative will be to call to reduce government waste and make government smaller, smarter, and more efficient. This is not a call to reduce services, but a call to invest in technology and skill development to ensure that worthwhile services will be
enhanced. You all recognize that we face a number of physical challenges that we've historically dealt with by cutting services drastically or raising taxes. Both of these solutions are unacceptable. We need to look for innovative ways to address these economic challenges, yet preserve a positive living environment for our citizens. We must find
find ways to reduce energy consumption. We can use digital and broadband capabilities that will allow cost savings and enhance services. We are one of ten states nationwide that have not taken advantage of much of the broadband capabilities. We should focus on being more efficient, and a more affordable government. Arkansas is a great place to live and work
and raise our families, but change is inevitable. It is imperative that we embrace change and control our destiny. I've led with these first two policy initiatives because our goal must be to grow our economy and create jobs. We must be competitive with our surrounding states and we must make major improvements to our business climate. We cannot sit idly by and
watch our state status as a poor state be enhanced. My third policy initiative will policy initiative will be to strengthen our educational system. It's understood we've had major policy jumps since
Speaker 56
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Lakeview. Now it's time to experience a similar growth
Representative Terry Rice
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46:51
in student achievement. Again, there is no question many reforms have set the stage. While student
is average. We all know college remediation rates remain very high. Low educational achievement is as threatening as a poor business climate. It is a linchpin that will doom Arkansas's prosperity. Let's recommit to finally getting the state over the hump. Our cannons are a resilient people who once they make up their mind are capable of doing extraordinary things.
We need to set the example and call on parents, students, grandparents and the communities of Arkansas to ensure all graduates are career and are college ready. Just as we must provide an environment to create jobs and ensure a robust economy, we must prepare our students to take on these jobs. I believe we can root out waste and develop an efficient form of
government by expanding access to technology to every school and community of this state. We can have a new day in Arkansas education that provides a quantum leap of achievement for Arkansas students. The stage is set and the last few pieces need to be put in place. Colleagues not to do this and not to take on this challenge is morally wrong.
Let me boil it down. mistakes are simple but huge. We can ensure that parents and grandparents can see their children and grandchildren choosing to stay in Arkansas because Arkansas is the best place to build a career
and raise a family. I know. I'm reminded of my favorite Ronald Reagan Quote, there's no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.
We all want a better future for Arkansas. So as your speaker, I need every one of you to do your part so that we can move forward together. It is time for both parties to work together in legislating as you have never done before. Colleagues, thank you
for the opportunity to speak to you today.
I humbly ask for your vote. This is not my life goal. This is
Speaker 50
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a calling. God bless you, God bless Arkansas, and God bless
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
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50:25
America. Thank you. All right, members, both candidates for speaker-designate have spoken in accordance with House rules, and at
Chair (Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.)
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50:31
this time we will conduct the election.
If for some reason you do not wish to be in the chamber, I would ask you to leave now. If you intend to remain in the chamber, you must remain seated, staying in your seat, and remain in your seat while the ballots are being distributed and collected and counted. All members, you're in your seat. The candidates are listed on the ballot. Please place an X beside the candidate's name that you wish to vote for. Any unmarked ballots, of course, will not be counted.
Any ballots who have both candidates' name marked also will not be counted. After marking your ballot, please fold it one time, and it will be collected by a staff member. Staff, please begin the distribution of ballots. Thank you.
Unknown speaker
52:03
Thank you.
Thank you.
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Thank you.
Thank you.
Chair (Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.)
Unverified
54:33
All right, staff, this time I'm going to ask you to go and collect the ballots, please.
Unknown speaker
55:03
Thank you.
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Chair (Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.)
Unverified
57:33
All right, members, the ballots have been collected and ready to be counted. At this time, we will open the absentee ballots and place them in the ballot box with the ballots from the floor. Staff, you may proceed to open the absentee ballots
There are 11 members who have voted by an absentee ballot Thank you.
Chair (Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.)
Unverified
59:32
All right, staff at this time, please proceed with counting the ballots.
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
1:00:32
Members, while we're waiting on the count to be conducted, I would remind you to, when We're finished today. Please take all your personal belongings with you.
We will have the girl and boy state being conducted here in the chamber later on. Leave your key in the voting machine. And take your computers with you. And also remind you that after we're adjourned here, lunch will be served over to Capitol Hill. Thank you.
Unknown speaker
1:01:57
Thank you.
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Chair (Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.)
Unverified
1:10:27
Members, have your attention. The ballots have been counted by a vote of 54 to 46. The Speaker Desmond of the 89th General Assembly is Representative Darren Williams.
Unknown speaker
1:10:57
Now stands adjourned.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Agenda
Sine Die Adjournment
Call to Order House Caucus (12:15 PM)
Roll Call
Sine Die Adjournment
House Caucus Convenes
Remarks - Speaker of the House Candidates
Voting
Election Results
Documents
No documents posted.
Speakers
Chair (Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.)
Unverified
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
Speaker 5
Speaker 13
Speaker 17
Speaker 29
Representative Keith M. Ingram
Unverified
Speaker 36
Speaker 32
Speaker 39
Representative Darrin Williams
Unverified
Speaker 50
Representative Terry Rice
Unverified
Speaker 56