KUAR Features
(2009-07-01)
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Wilkins
State police say there won't be any grace period for violators, and Wilkins says that makes sense.
Wilkins: There's a sense in which there's already been a grace period, because it's been a secondary law for a number of years, so people are already aware they should be wearing their belts, but hopefully now more will wear their seatbelts.
The other change in effect today was also sponsored by Wilkins. It cuts the state's Martin Luther King Commission from twenty-six members to thirteen. Governor Mike Beebe has called squabbling among the current commissioners "an embarrassment." Beebe says he hasn't yet made any decision about who among his appointees may stay and who may go.
Beebe has also said he'll keep executive director DuShun Scarborough on, although the new measure gives Beebe the power to replace him. Senator Hank Wilkins says that's a good decision.
Wilkins
Governor Beebe himself is probably most proud of the tax cuts going into effect today. It may not add up to much on your receipt, but the tax on groceries goes from three cents to two cents today. That was central to Beebe's agenda for the legislature this year.
Beebe
Grocery stores like Kroger's say they aren't expecting any major effects on spending because of the tax cut. Elizabeth Barak, with Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, says the grocery tax is regressive.
Barak
Another new law raises the possible fine for misdemeanors from five dollars to twenty. The aim is to provide more money to cities and counties for overcrowded jails. In all, forty-two new measures go into effect today - just a handful of all the laws passed this year. The rest of them will have to wait until July 31st to take effect. © Copyright 2009, UALR Public Radio
