Town hall meeting focuses on river and education concerns

JASPER — Arkansas Sen. Bryan King (R) district 28 held a town hall meeting at the Jasper School Tuesday night, June 11, and opened the discussion on the topics of gravel mining and state budget legislation. When it came to opening the floor to the audience, questions and comments focused more on the status of the Buffalo National River and the LEARNS Act.
Pubic concerns heightened last year when the Runway Group of Bentonville released the detailed results of a poll it commissioned to gauge people's interest in changing the Buffalo National River's designation from that of a national river to a national park reserve. A public meeting was called at the Jasper School last October attended by over 1,000 people at the school and online. Runway representatives declined to attend the meeting, but afterwards the holding company, owned by Steuart and Tom Walton, stepped back from the proposal. Runway makes investments in real estate, outdoor initiatives and hospitality. It recently purchased the Horseshoe Canyon Ranch near Jasper and the Buffalo National River.
At about that same time, Bruce Westerman (R) Arkansas fourth district, was co-sponsoring the bipartisan Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act , or the EXPLORE Act.
This wide-reaching piece of legislation was being promoted as a way of expanding access to America's public lands and waters for sportsmen and women.
Effects would include:
• Modernize technology to improve visitor experiences, like increasing broadband connectivity and creating digital passes.
• Streamline the permitting process and reduce fees for small businesses that depend on public land access.
• Protect rock climbing in iconic places and create new long-distance bike trails.
• Restore campgrounds and modernize infrastructure.
Support gateway communities by addressing housing shortages and outdated infrastructure.
• Improve accessibility for military service members, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and kids.
King was asked to comment on the coincidence that the river controversy and news of the EXPLORE Act came about at the same time.
King said Westerman came to Newton County to meet with local officials. The congressman said the legislation is not Buffalo National River specific.
"Even though we have to be aware that it could be or could not be." King added. "A lot of times you don't know what happens until it already happened."
As far as re-designating the river's status King said he felt due diligence was done in looking into that possibility.
In 2020 the New River Gorge National River in West Virginia was redesignated the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. King said it had been talked about and did not appear to be going anywhere. Then, the bill's co-sponsor, Sen. Joe Mansion (D) West Virginia, attached it to the end of a COVID bill and got it through without anything being known.
"That's what happens in D.C., and it's happened in Little Rock," King said. "I raise a lot of questions, and go after things because I want to know on the front end."

He said he is on the lookout for what he calls "keyhole legislation." Special interest groups behind the legislation know what it will do after its passed.
A case in point was the education bill. He said he had many questions about it that should have been answered before its passage. It was railroaded through, he said. "I'm worried about it."
King said he did not support what is now known as the LEARNS Act. One of its aims is to allow public funds to follow students who transfer from public schools to private schools. There is confusion if private schools will be held to the same standards as public schools.
That bill went through in two weeks. It should have taken at least two months, King said.
He said he believes in open and transparent government. There are some things that should be withheld such as school district's security plans.
"It helps keep me honest," he said. He noted that eight of his former colleagues are have or are now serving time in prison.
Last September an attempt was made to close public records. He said he did not support it. It was under the guise of the governor's security. It ended up throwing a blanket over everything else.
He said he thinks some people abuse the Freedom of Information Act by using it because they can as a way of putting an undue strain on public resources.
King said he signed the petition for the Arkansas Government Disclosure Amendment and Act of 2024 to be placed on the general election ballot. There are two separate petitions for this issue, one for the Act and one for the Amendment. Together, they establish and protect the right of the citizens of Arkansas to government transparency. They are heavily associated with the protection of Arkansas’ FOIA — Freedom of Information Act. He urged voters to sign the petitions.
The governor wants to eliminate state income tax. King said he is in favor of that because he believes it's better for the citizens to spend the money as they feel it should be spent rather than the state spending it for them.
The state is not spending money correctly. There is a lot of waste and fraud, he said.
A lot of tax dollars are coming in especially from the federal government. There is a surplus of money, and there are legislators who think it's going to last forever. King admitted he is concerned about that.
There have been budget shortfalls in the past and cuts have had to be made. There have also been bailouts.
There is a fear by some a greater burden will fall on property tax payers. They will have to support larger school millages and cover more of the cost for local services.
King agreed saying law enforcement and department of corrections budgets are not being addressed.
Special interests direct funding and King said he will be vigilant during upcoming budget hearings.
He said it's important to get the system back in balance.