A term-limited state House member says term limits has left the Legislature bereft of institutional memory and with lawmakers ill-equipped to represent their constituents.

Three-term Republican Jim Medley of Fort Smith  told reporters today he’s frustrated by what he has seen from fellow legislators in recent budget hearings.

“I’ve been going to these various committee hearings, and I just don’t see enough questioning of the budget and what we’re doing. It’s like, ‘Roll over and go with the flow,’” he said.

Arkansas’ term-limits law is one of the most restrictive in the country, limiting state senators to two four-year terms and state representatives to three two-year terms. Medley says the frequent turnover hinders the Legislature’s ability to be a watchdog on public spending and a champion of worthwhile programs.

He spoke to reporters after a budget hearing in which lawmakers rejected his proposal to offset federal spending cuts by providing $598,000 in state money for the Arkansas Department of Education’s school-based mental health program.

He expressed regret that a former El Dorado legislator known for his expertise on educational matters over more than 30 years in office was term-limited out of the Legislature two years ago.

“If he were still a legislator, I can guarantee you Jodie Mahony would be standing up for this,” Medley said.

A legislative panel voted today to recommend funding boosts for school transportation and teachers’ insurance.
The House and Senate education committees voted to recommend that the next General Assembly increase the state’s contribution to teachers’ health insurance premiums by $63 million and provide schools with $49 million in “enhanced transportation funding” over the next two years.
The proposed increases are aimed at helping school districts cope with high gas prices and helping teachers cope with rising insurance costs.
The transportation funding would be in addition to the $286 per student that districts already receive for transportation funding and would be distributed according to a new formula developed by the Bureau of Legislative Research. The formula is based on actual miles driven.
Sen. Shane Broadway, D-Bryant, noted that the Legislature’s ability to follow the recommendations will depend on the economy.
“I’m going to say right now, I don’t think that that amount of dollars will be there,” he said.