Revenue & Taxation- House

Thank you. Thank you ma'am please recognize your shall. My name is Michael please. My apologies my name is Rosa sparks I'm the CFO of FutureFuel chemical company. Okay good thank you S. B. twenty six. This expands the reduced sales and use tax rate for natural gas electricity to include coal that a manufacturer uses directly in the actual manufacturing process. Currently Missouri Tennessee Mississippi Louisiana Texas and Oklahoma all have full or partial exemptions for coal tax on this bill will just improve our competitiveness on a regional national international level physical impact currently is around between five hundred six hundred thousand immediately when fully implemented it would be around eight hundred twenty six thousand dollars. Thank you. Anything that email. I have a statement prepared but it It reiterate some of what of representative Smith just spoke about would you like me to go ahead with the statement well only find out where the committee is real quick because this is agreed upon bill a committees any questions. I thank you get mail anybody I speak against a bill for the bill. Resentment your clothes we bill. Like to close for the bill as for do pass. Resolution. Thank you motion of do pass is a good bill that put employees four hundred and seventy people up there and there were this is a raw materials used in the manufacturing process same thing we give the several other industries so recommended do pass members have a motion to passionate debate all in favor say aye opposed regulation passed bill thank you very much you're welcome. All right. Senator Dismang. Okay members without objection Senator Dismang trying to run House test cut bills on his end so if you I don't care like to skip down to Senate bill six eighty transaction doing that okay I also know that I've been asked about roe calling this so riders stand that this vote will be roll call everybody understand that. The serviceman you also understand that we don't have a full body members here right Sir. Yes. Roll call. I'm sorry can we ask you requested the roll call I'm not sure I will do that because private conversation with just no probably won't is if somebody so my stick your hand up already I will be the second roll call here anyway so thing they're asking for a roll call and one false all be on the record they should be on the record asking that roll call will understand I'm sure and I'm still not by asking the roll call of the day. Sure Dismang a good deal. Thank you Mr Committee this bill creates a tax credit scholarship for K. through twelve students whose family income is less than or equal to two hundred percent of the federal poverty level it'll provide scholarships for about two hundred fifty students the way it's designed to be eighty percent of the previous year's foundation funding for for K. through eight grades and ninety percent of the previous year's foundation funding for nine grades nine through graduation as a program has a maximum credit cap of two billion dollars with no escalation clause the tax credits are available to any taxpayer an individual or a business and it would be awarded by DFA on a first come first serve basis they cannot exceed the tax liability of the contributor for any calendar year it's claims and it can be cared for for three years definitely will notify the Division of elementary and secondary education when the annual campus map and the scholarship will cover tuition and fees at a private school a student is eligible FOR the family income is a state is less than or equal to two hundred percent of the federal poverty level it was enrolled in a full time in public school in this state for the previous school year and is enrolling in K. through twelve for the first time the scholarship will be administered by scholarship granting organization on a first come first serve basis and I will verify the student eligibility and manage all the transfer of funds yes the also insure the private schools perform manual testing reporting of expenses prepared by a certified public accountant to an independent organization selected by the Division definite will develop a receipt for the taxpayer to be filed with the tax return and the Department of elementary elementary and secondary education may conduct an audit or other financial reviews of the SDO. Definitely will consult with Division of elementary and secondary education to develop rules and this is really a pretty straightforward program intended to serve a very small number of children who might need in the who might have a need for an alternative to their public education is not intended to threaten the existence of public education is your player public schools are a vast majority of students very well but there's always a few exceptions that need an alternative you know I am committed to public education my wife is retired teacher all my kids were in public education this is just I believe parents should have a choice and and determining you know what is in the best interest of of their child I thank everyone at this table would want the same opportunity for their child or grandchild the reality is not everyone can afford those options lower income families don't have the ability to take advantage of the options most of us here at this table have this bill gives a small number of children that opportunity to seek an educational experience that will benefit them. I'm a go ahead address some of the objections that you'll you'll probably hear. One is that it threatens the future public education you know this is going to affect two hundred fifty students out of about four hundred eighty thousand and the whole state there's no escalation clause it's limited in fact with the way the funding as is structured will probably actually reduce students every year to some degree because the funding stays flat but the foundation funding increases so you'll actually be able to afford probably less students every year. don't like money going to private schools what we've already gone through that with the succeed scholarship we've already passed several bills you know this session that provide public funds for private colleges it takes money away from public education just briefly how public education is funded this through the foundation and the and the matrix this bill is just like any other tax credit bill has no effect on public education we you pass the number of tax credits already. In this of committee and probably no one is ever question the effect it has on public education so it's totally separate issue. Private schools don't have to follow all the guidelines and regulations that public schools there that's just a the nature of of private schools and then I want to address this idea of accountability says never there you know one of the biggest complaint I hear is that there's no accountability you know for private schools private schools are accredited by independent associations if they lose that accreditation people are going to pull their kids out of private schools and the private schools are going to go out of business. Charter schools same way if they don't make the the criteria if they have failing grades as far as their their ratings of their charters are pulled but what happens to a public school if it has the N. F. ratings for continued period of time well as but under state control for five years and then what it's reconstituted with the new board and then what. What are when has a public school ever been dissolved because of poor performance that's a question that I would ask. That doesn't seem to be much accountability to me seems to me like there's more accountability for private charter schools and there is public schools so there's a lot of noise around this type of opportunity to help kids the true priorities tend to get blurred with other issues put yourself in the position of a lower income parents who only wants the best for their child it feels helpless because they don't have the financial needs how frustrated would you be watching your time child struggle and environment when there would be an opportunity to improve that why would you let the excuses I previously mentioned deny a child that opportunity this bill will give you a very limited number of families the opportunity that many of us at this table have a lot of turnover senator just. Correct representative of. Members of. I think you've got the bill in front you've already got all the the emails in the text and whatever it may be you receive the mall and I and I feel confident that you've got questions about that you hit that might button and in the last them some on my goal is to just not get lost in the weeds on this whole discussion because really what we're doing is not very complicated in fact it's it's very very simple The goal here is to allow parents to make decisions that best impact their children's lives I'm not presenting a bill today so that we can condemn but public education quite the opposite I'm probably a product of public education and graduate from the high school representative wouldn't very familiar with that my dad was a principal my moms kindergarten teacher I believe that in most cases public schools fit the need for the children of the state however I do know for a fact that is not always the case and one thing to keep in mind if everything is going well for a student at a public school there's no need for this program no one's going to participate no one's going to apply there will be no scholarships doled out I think the fact that what sort of play out self the that to be true we'll find out if there is an actual need. I know many of you on this committee on a personal level I think you know my story and you know I'm presenting this bill here today and also know that each one of you would do everything that you could to ensure that your children have as bride of an outlook for the future is possible you have that ability because you have the means others are not as fortunate moved that doesn't mean that we should turn a blind eye to their particular situation again just like representative said I want you to put yourself in the shoes of those parents their child struggling during crisis or on the verge of becoming a crisis and it's really not that complicated it's very simple it's about allowing parents to make decisions for their children. Your children are not the property of our public schools all kids are unique in their needs are unique all parents deserve to have the opportunity to best shape their child's future experiences matter situations matter and opportunities matter how to be happy to take any questions. Thank you John members questions. Prison would. The representative Beck. You say that this will affect public schools. The tax credit will the tax credit go against general revenues from their income tax it goes against general revenue but it doesn't have any effect on the funding of the public school. It doesn't have any it has no effect on the general revenue doesn't have affect the litigation in Arkansas. Hi I actually to take that question now I've got a number of House bills that I'm texting go run for this committee up in my chamber. Each one of those impact revenues. Now if we want to utilize the argument that all revenues anything impacting revenues impact schools then I'd be happy to go pull those bills down but I don't think you want me to do that but the argument is exactly the same this is not about your program this is not to succeed scholarship program that is currently sitting in RSA. This is a tax credit it is outside of anything that we do in our set RSA it is not going to impact we've allocated to the education line in our state in any way. Thank you can make an argument that decreases future revenue but also say just think about it in this way. If there is a child that is struggling in there in a public school. And again that parent realizes they're at a crisis point that parent makes a decision to pull that child out of school because they have no alternative most likely that poor parent that doesn't have the means what is happening that child. It's what the superintendents complain about they're gonna be home schooled. Now with this option there's another path they can apply for a scholarship and actually get into a physical school. But without this option that child will be home schooled or they could be sent back to the situation that is not for the betterment that child that that's how it impacts public school funding is by that per pupil basis but the tax credit itself is no different than the four Bills on fixing to run for this committee on my floor. Follow the yes Sir. Senate is money that we we had a discussion today and you know where I am on this absolutely but I wanna I wanna ask you the question what about the other. Representative Beck alluded to this what about the other four hundred eighty thousand students what about the other those in that number of those in that number who have disabilities this just helps two hundred and fifty children which leads to my question. If we do this will not be a progression of two million four million eight million ten million. I am only guaranteed the next two years then this change that's that's my point and so so I would say there's a demonstrated need then that's probably the likely outcome and I'm not you know bashful about saying that and I but I will say. It to me doesn't matter every every child in every parent does it should have the ability to make a decision what's best for their children I mean I just I just believe that to be a fundamental truth. And for us to act like these kids are the property public schools just because there isn't codes I don't think it's appropriate and that's what we do I know superintendents that don't even live in their own school districts they have that choice. We say that's fine but if they're a poor kid in that same district they go to school in that district because they have no other alternative. Do we know that's ludicrous to me that that's the way that that plays out do not afford them opportunities the choice to go to another public school if they if they're dissatisfied in the superintendent's denied those I don't even get in the weeds of one specific example about a superintendent doesn't live in his own district that tried to deny children the ability to transfer from one school to another that happened well I'm not talking about the superintendents senator of the Arkansas about the children up talking about the other several files and perhaps they will not be touched by this limit of I have a one more follow up questions for obscenity Beck and Senator Dismang you touched on this but about talking about the tax credit in that funding of representative Bragg. You all talked about The the fact that all the tax credits that have been given senator and if you have several bills for in the one that we just voted for a few minutes ago but they do not create of the divisional tier of bureaucracy and this bill will Department of it's a demonstration has to give a receipt is that correct yes okay do they have to create person they'll be able to keep up with what's going on is apartment of education will have to add additional personnel to be able to police and keep up with the private schools. I think both of those are probably best best lifted DFA into the Department education but I think Secretary key can mention that they feel like they because he is taken a neutral position on this that's sell the governor's office the rule as well do the relative to the Republican Party but I'm I'm telling you this is bad legislation that will lead to the lead to the the mass of public education is is is no other way around this center in a I hate. I hate this with passion because he did graduate he played football with my son his dead mother's our close friends and Mister chairman I apologize for the give and take here but I am a firm supporter of public education and we have got to is it as it relates to the Republican Party the majority is not always right. But and I think we have to admit that and I appreciate those comments and this has nothing to do with my party affiliation. The of saying I'm just saying it is a plank of the Republican Party and I'm going contrary to the. But I will but I am available for a firm believer in standing up for what's right and I'm standing up for the thirty five hundred students in the baby School District of White County central ball low and review those in my district I've got to talk to my people when I go back home Senator relative to what what we do down here and and You know it's just creating another tier of bureaucracy to keep up with all of this we either got to have our CPA firm how much is that going to calls about who's going to play as a taxpayer's is nothing in the impact is there anything in the impact statement that relates to personnel actually that audit is to be paid for by the issue of through contributions to the SDO okay but is there anything that addresses the additional of personnel that will be needed to the minister this pro again I'll I think secretary or secretary Keegan answer that question my my understanding is it's something they can absorb DFA ministers credits all day long every day again the number of those items that I have on the floor here are are also credits that have to be monitored one would be a historic tax credit we bump that from four million eight dot made million dollars and it's got a whole lot of oversight that's required for implementation but I can't recall anyone saying that because that was going to create additional bureaucracy that we're going to allow that credit flow thank you Mr chairman thank you senator thank you representative or senator is this the two million dollars this is a side of twenty five million dollar caps that correct well it's at twenty five million dollar cap yes Sir thank you as one pointed out members of so we're not going over the twenty five million dollar cap with this if you so choose to implement this today so or any other questions. Personalized you're recognized now. I don't know if this is for the into the table if I need to **** to director Katie when he comes to the table. Estel find out I'd like to know how many private colleges we have and how many students and how much we spend on private colleges okay we'll get Secretary of the second all right. Brittany's. Yes I know this is an issue we've talked about a lot but we keep hearing about how this is going to take away. Public funding from public schools I I just don't understand that argument maybe when you guys can help me with this but I mean is it not our number one function to find a public education no matter how much money we get. The. Funding matrix is guaranteed. Based on the students you know that right Education Committee decides what adequacy rate is whatever it's like a little over seven thousand dollars per student now why we always hear and that this is going to take away public money I mean if if our job our goal the thing we have to before we fund anything else is upon the public education regardless of how the money comes in how's it going to affect public better general revenues as it relates to public education well it it doesn't I don't understand that either. I think the general argument and I'm sure they'll be happy to have people come here and testify the concern is the lose that foundation funding for the student that doesn't return to the public school I think that's generally what the concern is which again I could argue if they probably want to get to get anyway for someone that was in a crisis situation really talk about to enter the two kids you scatter around the state of Arkansas two hundred fifty kids the impact the most of the school districts the rounding errors. To most of the school districts if at all an impact there isn't a private school remotely close to the public school the odds of the you know having any impact or about nine. And again even for your larger schools minute you're talking in a drop in the bucket to interview the kids scattered across the state of Arkansas that have a need they're trying to be fulfilled. I might add that it is far as the foundation funding per student let's just say it's seven thousand dollars an individual district would lose that money but only after the the next year that that money would still come in the next year but on the other hand the state would not be paying that on the other side so it's in essence of reggaeton as far as the total state funding is concerned so if a student in a public school now. Is there for. Half a year do that does the school get half the foundation money to to get the whole thing. I would have to service the department on that it's not in arrears so they would already have the funding it but I think Senator Kikkan names that question probably better than I thought and I do know that when that student lease that same money goes to the school for that next year after the student has left so they're getting money for a student that's not going to that school yes for the next year because that's the way the funding cycle is funded but department can confirm that. Per a report sent Lundstrum good question I'm so at a how many kids are in school and state of Arkansas right now I have estimated four hundred eighty thousand or so so we have four hundred eighty thousand kids in the school and in Arkansas right now and we're worried about public schools and public school and we're worried about the competition coming out from two hundred fifty kids yes. That's what we're arguing over yes. I'm confused. Thank you ma'am any other questions. Secretary Q. you like come into force please I'm sorry Senator Dismang compared represent bag anything else you wanna add for. Secretary please come up. Johnny Kidd part of education unicredit homes under body better for thank you have a president can you share some allotment on some of the questions been asking what questions we ask well let me try and then I'll I'll I'll if I don't answer questions I'm here so please ask away we'll first if if thank you Mr chairman if I may let me just say so I you can know for sure the position of the Department we have reviewed Senate bill six eighty and we find it to is a reasonable responsible approach providing additional educational choices for low income families in Arkansas with the aggregate tax credit being limited to two million dollars annually the bill does not create an impediment to our constitutional duty as a state fund public schools as a matter of public policy Senate bill six eighty is consistent with the state's longstanding approach to providing public funded vouchers for children attending private pre K. centers and public funded scholarships for students attending private colleges and universities. The number of of the we have fourteen are represent Lundstrum that are I don't that's the total number but that's the number that I have that have received state funded scholarships of sometime sometime students getting those get state funded scholarships. And keep in mind this is money that goes to the institutions that the student's typically don't get that money in hand it's it's it's certified data that when the student enrolls and that money gets sent from division of higher education two to the institutions that's about seventy million dollars a year is is that amount that that covers a lottery and non lottery state funds okay so we have. You said fourteen fifteen fourteen. Four forty private civil action and we have how much in tax dollars going to those schools it's it's about seventy million dollars in fiscal year twenty that went to and I will say tax dollars because some of its lottery the bulk of its lottery but it is public funds that is public funds of seventy million dollars in public funds going to private schools right now in the state of Arkansas that's correct and nobody has a problem with that. well I can ensure that well I mean I don't know I don't imagine anybody else would would care if that went to we have wonderful private colleges in Arkansas. We we do and you know just think of some of the larger ones that we have that a lot of students go to watch tell Baptist over and I'll bring the numbers over the last five years just in anticipation of these questions or last five fiscal years Ouachita Baptist discussed about fifteen million Harding is about fourteen million Hendrix at about fifteen million so you know each year there is a considerable sum that goes and form scholarships okay so seventy million in private and tax dollars goes to private schools and we're worried about two million going to the public schools. Of my tax dollars are all of our tax dollars. Well it's it's the tax credit as I understand it again This get indefinitely stuff but tax credit of those taxpayers that. Right next to the to the scholarship granting organizations yes okay Okay I'll come back thank you and I and referred to Mister chair I there I know there was another question about ATM I can't member asked if the third quarter ATM average daily membership is how we fund schools and it is for the prior year third quarter average daily membership average daily membership is ongoing calculation you know we we check first quarter second quarter third quarter so it's it's not a the straight up student to student because there's movement of students in and out of the school district on an ongoing basis throughout the school year but that third quarter average daily membership is what we base funding on so this year's third quarter average daily membership will determine the the per pupil the foundation funding that districts will receive a for the twenty one twenty two school year thank you yes president will. Mr Casey Secretary key I thought shows position was neutral on this we're not opposed to it I'm the state what state are you neutral we are not opposed. That how you how you will but that is position we have is that we are not opposed opposed to yes Sir were you opposed to the other bill that we defeated we were not opposed but it's revenue was existing rule on that it was neutral yes Sir the impact was different because that was a twenty nine page bill that required the department to do a number of other things that are not included in this bill okay follows yes Sir is your how how many additional people are what will the cost be your department on this bill will calls we will be able to absorb it within our operations so you're saying you are you already of the R. two million dollars on a bill of education of the how much excess money deal have over there. Well that was one of the that was one million I believe to to make sure that the records correct on that the the earlier bill was one million but that is money that is already allocated in the. In our trying to think. What will become category a the our our base level funding okay. How well how many people what was going to be the cost of your department to implement this. Well as I said I'm we believe we can absorb it within our operations it will because there are very few what I'm asking I'm asking what is your costs going to be to implement this absorb the cost in your agency. I can't give you a dollar figure because we do have a look at that you don't know what this bill is going to cost your average we have looked at it because it what's it going to cost you. If it's absorbed within the US so what I'm asking six Mr secretary I'm asking you what is the cost to the taxpayers of this state they're not worried about what you can absorb I'm worried about what is the calls to your agency. Would be glad to calculate that bring it back to you yes. But you're emitting it will be of additional calls no Sir it's not an additional costs that's why I said we can all orbit within our. Operation you got if you got a if you're going to spend a million dollars is just seven over there right now. Then you you can tell me what is going cost on this bill you should be able to. Well this is our operations is a different to appropriation then the public school fund which is what we're discussing this morning. If this is got a two million dollar cap on this piece of legislation. What will you tell this committee today that you will oppose an increase to four million or six million or a million. No Sir I can't say that. So chooses a progression no Sir you're asking me to predict the future nice I'm not in a position to do that well let me repeat that Mister chairman. Is it known historically as though historically been own grants and programs like this that it's a progression five. Of the only one that I release the only one I could speak to succeed scholarship and that has increased as the number of students that qualifies increased of the governor and General Assembly have allocated more funding for that program. One more for you Sir. Okay would you will you agree that there is a definite difference between public education and higher education. The. Well I know there is there is Asian but is their knowledge of of the of the man and a different dimension a different type of student that you're reaching out to. President will I'm not sure I mean there is a different it's it's higher education is K. twelve I mean it's it's postsecondary verses elementary and secondary education. The characteristics of students I'm not sure exactly what you're asking so I'm just if there is a difference who you are agreeing that there is a difference in the dimension of what public education is designed for and while higher education is designed for. Sure the designs are are different yes how can you say there's fourteen private schools. Yes that's records that we have already had. Higher education that are that are private schools like Washita was starting in and the Arkansas back Ouachita Baptist yesterday okay what about the. What about the fact that. In. We don't have enough private schools to take four hundred eighty thousand students to. The no we don't so is it also true that we have to take all students. In public schools and public schools everyone comes to our door yes okay let me ask you this are you familiar with the questionnaires then all the private schools have. No I'm not. Do for me with the fact that they will not take they don't take all comers. All students. I I will take your word for that but that's we don't oversee private schools so I'm a poor you don't over city of. And this does not require you to oversee does it no Sir does not so they're gonna be out there taking tax money and we're not going to have an accountability. Point of order Mr chairman of liver badgering the witness here thank you Jonathan is on point here ma'am go over summer wouldn't. So what what is your question representative was out of the question is relative to the tax dollars there's no one is going to be accountable for. I believe that the legislation requires the audit to take place there is a level of certainty or just have all it will be paid for by somebody else if an audit is performed according to the regular standards of auditing it shouldn't matter who pays for. Thank you Mr chairman prism her. Yes couple just quick questions. Are all of our kids getting what they need to the public school system today. Can I tell you that all four hundred eighty thousand for school children state of Arkansas are getting what they need I can't tell you that but I can tell you that the schools to work every day to try to make sure that happens I appreciate that I'm married to retired public school teacher and. All my in laws and sister laws are therefore was schooled educators and I appreciate how hard work. In your opinion do you believe that their kids that might benefit from this option. Yes representative I believe there are in my opinion I thank you Sir. Click members questions. Thank secretary. Paul you wanna go in table seven and if it has to add to this thank you is a question about tax credits will go. Thank you Mr chair members of the committee Paul Goehring department finance administration members any questions for the FAM tax credits. Thanks bye a question while going to a member who was. Politician good thank you thank you Mr all right. Russian Bragg rescinded Dismang wanted anything before we go to the form against. All right uh we have to speak against signed up as a migrant and is in the room. At Mike Hernandez said executive director of the Arkansas association for educational ministry or Sin we're here today I'm here today to speak against this bill you know. We envision public education is being a partnership between you know three entities the parent the public school district in the state and you know. The state's obligation is providing funds as well as oversight to that process public education and when we start to. Well we've already started in terms of of you know having public education that's available to after the X. exceed scholarship and other types of programs and and we understand that we know that that is continuing to grow with this bill specifically at the concerns related to there are no Major oversight type things in this it's it's where we're we're saying that we're going to provide the funds as a state but at the same time there is void this thing of requiring the school to be accredited you know this bodies passed several laws throughout the session and lord knows I'm I'm open we're towards the end of it But I'm hoping that this body is done that based on the fact that you believe that that's the right thing to do for kids to ensure that they have an adequate education and so when we have this set of laws and regulations for public education to extend that venture out further into a private education endeavor where those aren't there it does raise a lot of concerns because it basically what it says to me is that the set of rules are important for the set of kids in this oversights important but for this other group of kids we just base it on you know whatever the the parent satisfaction is for that we know we heard today that you know poor students are the property of publication of public at public school districts and I agree with that they're not but according to state laws are in place they are their responsibility and and we don't take that lightly thank you thank you you take a question Sir yes Sir person to a committee. Mr Hernandez Arkansas public schools adequately funded and if not provide examples. So as president baby Hugh NO I believe that through the adequacy process that we are adequately funded as determined by this body. Thank you thank you thank you thank you Sir. All right to speak for. Is Mister Ross Is Your and room. Please recognize yourself Sir. Thank you rass vice president of policy a scholarships. Mr chairman of the committee there's not a lot that can cover that wasn't already mentioned about the and the policies portion of the testimony here and I know we've all heard the arguments for and against bills like this I would like to take a couple minutes just to give you a perspective from ace so this is a nonprofit scholarship granting organization that currently serves about five hundred students in the state of Arkansas who attended about thirty nine private schools most of the students are from minority backgrounds and it's been our job that are privileged to be connected directly with those families on a daily basis we get to hear their stories of success we get to know what's working for them and what's not we also carry the responsibility of hearing from them when this bill does not get through and we have to come to them again after a long road and this is of next step a very long road to tell them that once again there's no help coming so not only has this been a long discussion this section been a long discussion for the past several years to be honest with you we've already had this into many letters to our families telling them that they're going to have to wait another cycle another year another two years however long it may be for the help that they need. We're getting to a place where we would like to not send any more of those letters were frankly we wouldn't want to tell anybody else that we can help them for another year another two years and we're also going to have to anybody else in this letter or an email or a text asking is please not to forget about them and not to leave them because it's just so hard to get educational opportunity done in Arkansas this is the kind of things we hear every day so that's you to remember that what we're talking about less than one tenth of one percent of all of the students enrolled in Arkansas that's really not the number that we should be thinking about we should be thinking about the fact that this is two hundred and fifty kids real kids with real stories and real families and real need. Who may not get what they need once again this year that's a decision that you all have to make the day I hope you be thinking about those kids when you cast your vote I hope to be willing to do the right thing thank you you have to take questions and questions distortion these thank thank you Mr chairman so Sir in states that have implemented a program like this or even programs that may go further at full blown vouchers has it devastated public schools are can you talk to how it's affected public schools and and funding and and I guess the number of students enrolled in a lot to get a sense of you know what that looks like. Yes Sir so these programs are not new they're not even particularly sexy at this point they've been around for the better part of a quarter century longer depending on how you want to count it I don't think that I can name a single state with the school choice program where there are not more kids in public schools today than ever before and consequently more money flowing into the public schools than ever before there is no example of a school choice program even the largest like one in Florida the service a hundred thousand kids that two hundred and fifty devastating public education or having any sort of negative impact on the system itself if anything it slows the rate of growth the public schools have trouble keeping up with the largest programs so though that hasn't happened anywhere there is no good example to pick up and throw out there but I can give you many many stories of what happens to the kids who don't get access to the opportunities that they need and find themselves stuck in bad situations. You get personal use thank you Sir. President will. Mr Ross. As a not been studies in the Indiana Louisiana Ohio or Washington DC the said the voter programs did not make. That much difference if any difference in what they were afforded. Children are afforded. This should be happy to tackle that one there have been studies that found negative results for students in school choice programs in those states those are a small subset of the overall research has been conducted on this bill to us as well as As or those studies correct did they not find that. Those studies are outweighed by studies and many others. Zacks Ross S. Q. those studies find that the voucher program where laws that benefit you now that we're talking about vouchers and you brought them up. Is that not affect. With respect representative I don't recall bringing up vouchers but those studies do in fact find that in those particular programs I would argue those programs don't look much like the one that you're considering today. Mr chairman of witnesses no answer to my question I ask him did these funds that they were an attic with or not that they didn't benefit that much from the students there are studies that find small academic changes no academic changes and negative academic exchanges but that does not take into account what's actually going on and if I may representative sometimes we get into sticky moral questions with this where we worry about whether a student is doing slightly better slightly worse in math or reading we forget to take into account that student may have shifted schools to get away from an unsafe situation away from harassment a waste away from bullying they have different priorities families make choices for different reasons are you follow the yes Sir are you telling me there's no building and goes on in private schools no Sir I'm not saying sometimes children need for the offense you didn't answer my question. All right it are you telling us that building goes on in private schools. What does not exist in private school no Sir that's not what I said. What did you Sir. I believe that in any school students could find himself or herself in a situation where she needs a new path in a new option that can be is true of a private schools it can be a public school which is further evidence that we ought to expand the menu of options to make sure they have access to as many as possible. So you're saying. If we extend Belcher's they'll be able to go to a private school or one of the bill. No Sir that's not what I'm saying person one if you don't care service okay that's only to go to his or her sister welcome person body. At miss crossing a question of the five hundred students that you served would you say that the program you administer successful for those students and can you share a couple of those examples. Very so we track carefully all the data from our programs we have programs in eight states including Arkansas as I mentioned the Arkansas program is relatively new so we don't have quite as much data here but in general our students outperformed by a very wide margin the public school peers on both standardized assessments and in terms of the metrics that you would care about so graduation rates their level of civic involvement their level of social cohesion inside the family we track all of that and I'd be happy to share the details of that would be helpful to the committee follows yes Sir so would you say that those students overall are more successful and in the environment of their choice rather than the environment of their zip code. Yes Sir I would absolutely say that. Russian lesson. Thank you chair I'm. A petition works and just every field it doesn't not working education to. It does yes ma'am the fact there is a pretty large body of research studying how competition affects public schools going back to an earlier question and the fact of the matter is that most research does find that private school choice in the presence of other options in general can help and synovitis local public schools to do a better job because they would like to hang on to the students thank you welcome thank you Sir. Thank you. Okay to speak against and members and the people in the audience with about six more these to go so um this try to get to the point in the world we're not or start belabor the point I think about coming out of this was going on here so. speaking against Izard the bill a Korean room yes Sir. Please recognize Chester. Thank you Mr Dale query Director of Arkansas real education association we are here obviously on behalf of public schools we do not disagree that there are students in public schools that struggle our concern is that when a parent goes to that school that their issues are not adequately addressed and we would obviously we would like for those issues to be addressed addressed at the local level and a local school be responsive to the needs of those kids We talk about poor kids and this scholarship is for poor kids I looked up today on the internet about the tuition at private schools and here in Little Rock I think there are about I don't know maybe twenty or thirty private schools and they range from two thousand dollars to maybes seventeen thousand or something like that per year and you throw so be acco in there and got a raise that up a little bit also but the point is at eighty percent for a elementary kid and ninety percent for a high school kid that comes to about half of the average of a tuition in Little Rock there are some less of course there are some more so when we're talking averages and we're talking poor kids the poor kids in our school districts cannot afford to take advantage of this program could this program help kids I'm not going to disagree with that I am going to say that by working with the local school district and providing the needs for those kids the research shows that when public schools and families and teachers and principals and community all work together that works best for the kids. So Are up I also have a question about the establishment clause I understand that public money goes to private colleges I don't understand how that works I know spring court has addressed public schools and private money and our public money going to private schools and so on and so forth I know the court has been involved in that sense eighteen seventy nine so I'm not an attorney I'm not a constitutional lawyer but I just have a question about and I don't know the difference between public school and private colleges. No private colleges have entrance exams and there have qualifications of getting into school whereas public school we take them all. And we're glad to take them all to we want a mall and we're glad to compete on a on of a level playing field That's it Mr thank you Sir appreciate to spawn. All right uh we have nobody else signed up to speak for. These when you come in the table please get to your point please we got several more these go so Mr Dan Jordan are you in a room. Thank you Mr chairman and members There's several things that that we would share with many others have already been mentioned obviously agree and a wrecker organization agrees with the the the people that are smoking opposition I just wanna reference to things about kids which is what this bill is about it's an education bill and this bill doesn't protect students with disabilities is there there's nothing in the bill that requires the state scholarship organization or private school to agree not to discriminate based on any category. I including disabilities and we believe that all students should receive equal protection for potential discrimination that's the first point the second point out that I would share is this bill doesn't include any language that prohibits private schools from charging a scholarship receiving student either tuition and fees above the amount that would be required and paid by the scholarship and are concerned is that being the case and the last of restrictions that if you were students for whom this scholarship is for would actually be able to take advantage of it because the difference in the scholarship amount in the amount is referenced earlier the differences in amounts for the tuition fees at the at the very schools just in this county alone there's a difference and we all know that parents and poverty will not be able to afford any additional funding to send their children to school and for those two points I'll leave it at that to be short and brief we are in a position of the bill thank you Sir president. Doing down the list is there a. Laverne Sam's NO one the center at the center. Since you don't care recognize yourself. For the record. My name's learns them some from Marvell Arkansas. Good afternoon members of this committee I am the vine Sam's of the concerned citizens of Marvell Marvell Arkansas I am here to please and ask you to oppose that is S. B. six eighty. Private school vouchers leave out public schools that serve the vast majority of Arkansas to students without the resources they need that just like the the proposal use tax dollars to fund races all white. Segregated schools that under my community and says that is I'm not I'm a proven to improve education it makes no sense to give the special interest groups who supports about use a special tax breaks that no other worthy nonprofit receives this is a proposal to waste two million on the discriminatory policies that could be far more. Effectively used by people who needs who who needs is far more. I probably schools are public schools need all of the resources they can get from programs we know we'll get results my community. I didn't have a summer school program for almost three years. Before the pandemic hit we don't have the the resources we need to educate our children who are overwhelmingly low income and the lack we and many other communities are straining to keep a head above water if these public tax dollars are going to be given to any school it should be a public institution with the most. Laudable children we are building a generation of children that will be out future. Why not give all our children the chance to play on an equal playing field having to play catch up because schools were undefined it is why most of our children are left behind ask yourself this question. If you had to continue to fight for just a tenth of what proved these children have would you be sitting where I am sitting now. I am a black woman who list where there are still segregated races private economic academics that don't want black children why is the requirements to follow the Civil Rights Act in the American disability act let out of this bill. Any school that receives public dollars tax dollars should have to follow basic laws against discrimination that alone tells me this is the bill for a segregated schools in Arkansas question why would Arkansas favor unproven unaccountable segregated private school vouchers that nonprofit all of the non profit above all the other nonprofit donate to private schools already get the same twenty percent deductions of the nonprofits get. Why would you single out this one special interest group for a hundred percent tax deductions. I mean if we are going to hand out to millions of a hundred percent tax break why we choose private school vouchers over cancer treatment for children homeless shelters or even food banks even sticking with education. Why favor them over preschool pre K. after school and summer school tutoring teacher training or adequately funding people education and thousands of other more effective in interventions that would be far more effective for for more students so with that I would like to thank you for your time and ask you to oppose Senate bill six eight thank you thank you ma'am thanks for coming what. Call it in a room. Thank you Mr thank you committee I tell you what As you know I can be lengthy on this I'm going to try to make it short if you vote no okay I just wanna make a hit a few points real quick everyone every parent in this state has choices you have choices the public school that you live in all the public schools that are around you that you can school choice to you have charter school choices and you have fordul public school for anybody in this state that is free it's all free it's all held accountable in the State of Arkansas our parents do have choices there are two choices that have no accountability on it and that are paid choices for parents and that's home school or private school you've already heard me say all of that and you can say what you want but this is about your bill the issues are the same as they before I'm not going to go into great detail but it takes state taxpayer money moves it to the for profit private schools research shows in every state that has passed similar legislation to this that educational outcomes have decreased you just heard that. Research is conclusive on this educational outcomes for that state when this is implemented it takes ten to twelve years to fully show that all educational outcomes for the public schools have decreased because of Alger type programs read in in in public schools we're taught to five or follow the data which is why I'm surprised that you know this hasn't really been looked at by our state agencies research also shows that disc creates disadvantages for minority and students with disabilities the schools are not required to implement rights which I mean we're saying that rises the end all be all it's going to teach every kid to read why would we not require private schools who take this money do the or computer science which were saying is a necessary skill in putting in as a graduation requirement. There is no research to show that private schools are better in any form or fashion or provide better services in any way in the state of Arkansas. If I was a private school however I would use this for athletic recruitment if I'm sitting at PA or Harding academy then I want to take this voucher bill and I'm going to go find the kids that I need and I'm going to sign them up get the state to start paying for them to come to my school so I can use it for athletic recruitment this would be one of the greatest utilize tools if I am running a private school for athletic recruitment that's ever been were created there is no accountability on the schools the department just said they're not over they're not going to hold them accountability there's no way through al four ranking for parents to know what's actually going on in those private schools there's no state audit. So. My question is I guess or or my point is is why would we want to tax fund something that we say public schools must do we hold accountable we grind them into the ground with regulation after regulation after regulation but we're not going to hold private schools to the same accountability that you've heard me say all that and these are the last few little things that I want to mention one is that if you look at the impact statement the impact statements as they have been able to it'll take a hundred thousand dollars a hundred thousand dollars for positions it also says that there is going to be a contract with the independent research company to collect data that is not that they didn't have a fiscal impact on the statement so I don't know how much we're going paid to independent company to do that let's just say it's another hundred thousand if you total that up for every hundred thousand dollars that we pay for the D. F. and IT positions that's four hundred dollars of taxpayer money that's going to each student that we put in this program if you up to a hundred thousand dollars at the independent research company that's eight hundred dollars per student they were paying in taxpayer money for every kid that's in this voucher program that's before you get to the two million dollars that we're doling out to private schools. and I just want to make a point we always talk about kids who leave the program who it's better for but my question to you is this what do you leave behind because in a small rule school one or two kids means the difference between me having that extra teacher why can split those classes and get those kids better education and not being able to find it one or two kids can change that within ever great that's how it happens in in rule Arkansas maybe not in the big schools but in rule Arkansas it does so made the same appeal to you that I made to you on the House floor before there is a way to do this that will be great for all students this bill specifically targets public school students to go to private school why are home schoolers not included in this why are we not giving them choice as well there is a better way to do this that that that impacts the edge the choices in education for all Arkansas students not just two hundred and fifty which is limited to the scope of this bill we should unite behind great legislation that helps all students not divisive legislation that we voted down in two thousand fifteen two thousand nineteen two thousand seventeen earlier this year. Folks at and we all know that this is a divisive subject right so don't we owe it to our constituents in the constituents of the State of Arkansas to craft a piece of legislation that is great for all students that includes all students that helps public school private school home school do we not owe it to him to do that and the unified behind that piece of legislation to roll it out for our all our Kansans. That's my appeal to you because if you vote this down I can bring that piece of legislation this next go around we have the idea we have the solution to this that will be innovative more so than any other state and we don't need to follow in the past mistakes of every other state that is shown research shown that has taint these things we owe it to our constituents to do that and finally I'll leave you with the best reason to vote no on this if you do you won't have to listen to me give a long speech on the house floor tomorrow thank you Committee. Thank you we have one more Mr Fleming are you in a room. Please recognize yourself now. Thank you Mr chair Carol Fleming I am a speech language pathologist in the little rock school district currently serving as president of the Arkansas education association. As a speech language pathologist I have learned to read body language I can certainly see you all or tired this as been a long bill to listen to and to hear the debate actually had even begun debate you're only hearing testimony right now so I'm gonna try to wrap this up in a pretty little bow for you. We proudly represent thousands of educators across our state we represent the voice of those educators we've been doing it for over a hundred and fifty years and we have members in each one of your districts I think it's important for you to understand as you've heard our position has been always will be and is still today public funds for public schools. Public education is so central to our state that a free public education is enshrined in our state constitution that is the K. twelve const that is the twenty K. twelve education since there's been a lot of talk today about K. twelve versus higher education we have to provide a free public education for our students you all took that oath to uphold that constitution when we divert public tax dollars to private schools we lose our ability to ensure that those students are receiving the support and educational opportunities that they deserve as a special educator I know that for a fact as a parent of a special needs individual I know that for a fact that you are not guaranteed to have those specialized supports in a private school but yet in a public school we welcome all we educate all we treat all and we support all. About your programs and this tax credit is a voucher program. That means that your private schools they will have these expenses they are unaccountable you've already heard from the secretary and then also representative tallit has also addressed it desi does not provide oversight for our private schools there is no accountability there is no standards for education or transparency. There is no anti discrimination language in Senate bill six eighty and that is very concerning for us because that means that this bill does not have requirements for classroom teacher qualifications. Public school educators have worked every day of an extremely challenging school year to support the students of Arkansas all students of Arkansas you have heard that this tax credit is for two hundred and fifty students from across the state of Arkansas and that that really is just a small number of students throughout the state but I want you to consider that those two hundred and fifty students are not going to be coming from the majority of your districts there are not private schools in every single district in the state of Arkansas and those are the districts that we're talking about so consider the students that are in your district that will have money diverted from our general revenue to support this program. Additionally I want to say that we cannot afford to fund two different education systems one private and one public on the taxpayer's dime additionally we cannot to have low that is brought to us because of someone's backstory and personal story that needs to be put into place we need to make laws that are going to impact and support all of our students now is the time for us to invest in all of our public schools in all of our children and not divert public funds into private schools I ask for you to vote no on SB six eighty thank you. Thank you ma'am. Service manual close rebuilder. That's going to say I thought it was good that there was a little bit gap between representative and me coming to close. And I think there was a jab. About me doing this but but for personal reasons. Or my personal experiences which would been told in confidence. If we're not here. Doing things based on our personal experiences that we think have a better impact for the rest the state then we shouldn't be here. And representative. I think you just trying to explain to everyone on this committee that you know better. You know better about had a parent because your school administrator. That's not the case. Representing Mayberry. You want someone to tell you how to raise your child or what's best in every path no we don't. But that's what we were just told. That we know best that we know better. On a personal level. When you leave here today. The odds are that this vote is not going to impact you in anyway. You can sit here and do nothing can vote no you cannot vote. Representative to my rider probably congratulate you patch on the back to you did a great job you get some emails contract your emails and texts thanks for the help. You may feel like we've won some games that you've done something great. You might even get invited to share the box at the new twenty six million dollar arena. But like I said at the end of the day. It's not gonna matter much to you it's not gonna have a direct impact on your life. However. And I hate that they weren't able to testify. However if you vote yes. Your vote will mean everything to two hundred fifty two hundred fifty families this bill sixty impact. Your vote will help a family make a decision that will potentially for ever impact the outcome of that child's life. You'll probably never be thanked. You're not going to get some congratulatory email or some Pat on the back. Because in reality to them this is in the game. We can sit here and we can pretend that we know better. That the representative to my right knows better. That the folks to my right no better that everyone that sent you the email and send to the text that they know better. But they don't and we don't the parents do. I ask you today to vote yes to make a difference. This bill is not the end of public education. We can call the camel's nose or any content or whatever we want to do. However. It is the beginning with the two hundred and fifty families that seeks to impact. Again I appreciate your time I know we had a lengthy debate and I'd ask that you vote yes. Thank you Sir Mr bag everything on that now we're close thank you thank you all right members her testimony we have a motion on the table. I have a motion represent you for do pass do we have any debate. Yes representative group. I just like to add that I have some personal experience that he talked about I have a son that is learning disabled handyman private school fortunately I was able to afford that. At a very eighteen in the first grade they came to me and said he could be better served in public school because they had what they call that a P.. And so I took their their advice to conduct of the school put him in there and I found some great help there and I found a lot of challenges to their it I. P. he got put into resource class and was with the label and make fun of and he struggled. He is grow mature adults today any struggles to make a living. Unfortunately I had a grandchild that due to an accident and a brain injury also with learning disabled. Because of my experience with my son. I took her back to that same private school and said don't talk to me about public school she needs a good environment if you need to be left in I hope you'll find it here. Their granddaughter is twenty three years old she struggled all the way through school very hard she graduated college she is working in a public school and supporting herself I really struggled with this bill when we headed in the House I really care about the job that I'm doing here and then I'm representing the constituents properly I received although a phone call from the superintendent because I thought I didn't know enough about this bill on that one I voted present. After that I went and set up meetings with my superintendents and would talk to them I shared my story in my thoughts. And I will say one AM superintendents told me Richard I understand whichever way you vote. So today I'm voting yes for that bill because the thing that matters most to me is not the money we've already heard and we know we're going to we're going to fund public school we've already heard at the secretary of education say that he doesn't oppose it. So really what is that about what to meet today it's about that child. And so I'm going to vote yes and I would encourage you to thank you thanks Sir Richard body. You know and at at some point we're going to get this right I thank everyone in the room in the state on both sides we strive for that day. the I'm a product of public education and it's sitting here because of the of the quality education that I received. I guess my problems when we get into this as I hear the public school side and are of the private school side and I hear about students and the choice and an opportunity. And then I hear the public school side and it's always about money and funding. Which is why I posed the question our public schools adequately funded in Arkansas and the answer that I received was yes I don't think that anyone in this room wants to take funding away from from public education and they want to provide whatever is necessary to turn out a good product because it is essential for the future of this state. I look at those two model students and choice money and funding. And I try to decide what leads to the better outcome. I also thought about a quote Henry Ford competition whose motive is merely to compete to drive some other fellow out never carries very far but the competitor to be feared as one who never bothers about you. They focus on making their business better all the time and I ask you to sit and think about that think about which side that applies to. Representative to let. You made a very good point that we should all take to heart it's time for educators on both sides to come together private public and home school and find the best option for our students. We sat here for a couple hours talking about two hundred and fifty students out of four hundred eighty thousand well actually more than that because we're not even talk about the home schooled at the private Gosh. It's two million dollars. Break that down is eight thousand students it's not taking anything away from the public school system I heard the argument public funds for public education. Madam I wanted to ask the question where did those public funds come from. Thank about that they came from the private citizens and private businesses in the state. And those funds were for all of our children so I'm going to vote yes on this bill and ask you to think about these points and let's let's get together on this and let's solve this this problem this issue thank you. Thank you Muriel debate. President Garner. I just want to say one thing and I agree with representative Tollette that we need to get together and and work on some issues to make sure that we're making sure that all of our children in Arkansas are taking care of. But we see that voucher programs do not work we know what works we know that preschool and pre preschool and after school and summer school programs we know what works for all of these kids not just the two hundred that we're talking about we know what works but we dump every community problem at the door of the classroom and then we do not give the schools resources to take care of those issues. I too have a public school advocate have been all my life my family were all educators. And I get choice but we have choices in the public system we need to make those choices better we need to have to me it makes more much more sense to have a program where we give tax credits to those who donate to programs that we know work like pre K. like after school again summer school those kinds of things are the things that will work for all of the students and especially those that are at property level that don't have the opportunities to go to a private school that don't have transportation that don't have parents to understand the process to get them in all of those kinds of things or can't afford clothes or school or or books or whatever it is that they need for those things. I am absolutely all for every child to get what they need but I think we know what they need we've just got to rethink the way we we educate at that we pay for education and that we share the resources that we have with those who don't have enough and so for that I've got to vote no and I appreciate your efforts and I would be glad to work with you on some other ideas but I have to vote no on this one thank you. Hello. Thanks Mr thanks members of the committee I just come out come and get perspective on the thought that this bill would you notified of that this could potentially lead to the demise of something else and I just want courage you guys to just try to we have legislation in front of us vote on the bill in front of us I remember having conversations with folks hate crime legislation there's a similar concern of if we pass this what will happen next was something else be added to the in the day it was awesome to see people just focus on the bill in front of them and I would just encourage you guys to focus on the bill that's in front of you today. Thank you any other. When a call roll. Representative Milligan yea yea. Representative before. J.. Representative Beatty yea J.. Representa McElroy. May. Representing the groom. Okay. Representive fox. Yea. Representative garner. No. Representative Mayberry. Yeah a. Representable in. No no. Representative Warren. No no. Represent Lynch. Yes. Representative McCollum yes yes. Represented by. No. Resent Lundstrum. Yes. Representative McNair. No. Representative vis yes okay. Representative Hodges. Ninety. Representative Jane. Thank. Representa Fortner. Representa Fortner. The. Turbo shares your bill passed. Thank you Mr chairman committee members. Thank you. All right members as fun. The. President Reeves you want to go. I'm sorry I'm sorry Richmond eleven you want to go. If you don't care he's got a meeting he's got to get to so we're kind of court order he's going to Senate bill two forty four. Recognised assessor. Thank you Mr chair representive eleven District forty three. What thank you committee members under current law instructional materials such as textbooks are items in our school systems are tax exempt the purpose of this bill is to amend the definition of instructional materials to include technology items such as iPads and Chromebooks electronic devices that are used by students schools continue moved further away from textbooks and as we've seen during the pandemic electronic devices for our students have become a must in our school systems the distance learning I don't believe that that trend is going to go away this is agreed upon bill by all parties involved Senator Hammer not met extensively with the FNA of fiscal division of bill are in department head on this bill all parties or in support you in front of you I believe there's an action amended fiscal impact statement be happy to answer any questions about that or take any other questions regarding the bill thank you members also this is agreed upon bill with a twenty five million dollar cat you have any questions yes Richmond Vaught. Motion property a. Paul you want adding value good all good okay close rebuilder close appreciate a motion to pass I have a motion for resumption at which Motion to pass motion do pass in debate. All in favor say aye opposed registry pastor bill favors chair the committee. All right senator garner you know. Members also this is another great upon bill within a twenty five million dollar cap this Program both ends senator garner recognizable yes Sir I'm a state senator Trent garner from the twenty seven south Arkansas. McCollum your. It's good bill. It is a good bill it is a good school bill actually so we've but years ago the General Assembly had led by Speaker Shepherd and many other men and women decide to do a sales tax holiday for clothing pencils necessary equipment to go back to school that's been a huge success for people across the state if we learned anything as last year during the pandemic electronics assault purchase is important as pencils and paper what this bill do extend that to a very qualified amount of software electronic equipment other things that kids need to go back to school when go to zoom that's a new reality we face it there's another pandemic outbreak and we have to go to remote learning or parents or schools decide to use that resource from here on out this will give them a necessary and very needed a tax break during that holiday revenue impacts by one point nine five million one point three to the state the recipe from the other things read upon bill and I'll take any questions or representative have anything that. Thank you any questions members. Good bill appreciate you can bring to this any debate I'm sorry anybody I speak for bill gas bill the most for the bill. The motion there's an option like a motion. There's a lot to make a motion to pass any debate all in favor say aye. Posed resolution passed bill I'm all sweating I may be so nervous until. It will be ready for next time on. I just bring school about to realtors. All right to the regenerator unit room. Okay we'll pass over that Robin how do you wanna go do. Reserve center Dave Wallace and bill. You have. Germany has is situated just recognize yourself. Thank you Mr chair us there than Monte Hodges District fifty five Mister chair Dave Rinehart with Nucor steel and five Arkansas thank you Sir money resume I'll just go ahead Sir yes bring the the Senate bill five sixty six this will address a problem that one of our steel companies had due to covid. and I hope I hope this committee's altogether worn out after that about your bill and that you guys that are easy only in twenty seventeen the State sunset invest invest our program allowing four years to complete approved projects that same year both new court meals filed and were approved for their final major investment under invest our. The Investar the best be the private these projects were on schedule to be completed before invest our funds that later this year in June thirtieth twenty twenty one but because of covid Nucor fro the project until they knew the the card the economic impact of the pandemic. This bill provides twenty four additional months to finish these projects like other businesses new quad core with negative negatively impacted by the pandemic doing twenty twenty and this bill is a way to assist them in finishing additional investment here in the state. No credit will be claimed until work is completed and not before fiscal year twenty twenty four in addition before credits earned on any work done doing the extension can be use ADC must find a positive benefit to the state equal or greater than the value of the tax credit. Finally no more than seven hundred fifty thousand dollars in credits can be claimed in any given fiscal year starting in fiscal year twenty twenty four. This is a unique situation because these are new projects they are projects that were approved in twenty seventeen it is important that the state of Arkansas honors the commitment it made to new corn these approved projects there is a zero fiscal impact to general revenue in fiscal year twenty twenty two in fiscal year twenty twenty three. This is a pot this is positive for the state this company have paid roughly six fifty seven million dollars in sales and use taxes twenty seventeen the same year these projects were approved. You know the banker you know we often times have to grant extension for customers but say for instance if someone bill they can a bill in the home at the construction loan for them there may be a commit whether they call the delay in the project and so they may have a year to construct this home but three months of the year four months out of the year that the weather may have been bad to come contractor couldn't get to the project to to completed so I look at this project similar to that COVID came in it interrupted the the the project and so this will extended a little longer so they can finish the project out and so with that I have Dave Rinehart here with me if you guys have any questions that will make any additional comments it was run are everything that Sir I have a prepared statement but it's similar to what representative Hodges spoke to because good move on your part Sir. All right everybody I speak against a bill for the bill. Rivers region Beatty like a motion sir. Motion to pass the motion to pass members we have any debate all in favor say aye. Those graduates are you pastor bill resolution for our thanks to thank me to. All right members of I'm hearing that we have one more bill coming down from the Senate to concur on Thursday so I was hoping maybe day be our last meeting but is like when I have one more come Thursday so that created. Okay we have one more bill come down Thursday I'm for this big bill nothing too major but I'm hearing as agreed upon bill as well so let me one more time in before we adjourn represented the Lane Jean going to the RSA force one more time so anybody wants to hang around list are as saying feel free to hang around and will knock it out of him I have anything to add talk about. Sinking by a rugged all right this means during.