Boy Howdy.. Arkansas is bucking Huckabee

[SoCalDem]

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AR_XGR_VIRTUAL_SCHOOL_AROL-?SITE=ARMOU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Feb 6, 4:07 PM EST

Senate and House override Huckabee veto of'virtual schools' measure

By JAMES JEFFERSON
Associated Press Writer

LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- Gov. Mike Huckabee vetoed a portion of a school funding bill Friday in action that restores money to Internet-based "virtual schools." The Senate voted quickly to override, and the House followed just hours later with its own vote to override the veto.

Huckabee's objection was to a portion of SB79 that restricted charter school money to those that held sessions in a traditional classroom setting.

The override succeeded on a 27-5 vote in the Senate, while the vote was 59-30 to override in the House. Fifty-one votes are needed for an override.



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Feb 6, 9:07 PM EST

Legislature recesses after Senate approves largest tax increase in Arkansas history

By JAMES JEFFERSON
Associated Press Writer

LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- After the Senate gave final approval to the largest tax increase in Arkansas history Friday, the Legislature recessed a record-long special session that produced the most sweeping changes in public education in a generation.

Sales taxes will go up nearly a penny March 1 after the Senate voted 23-12 on a tax increase expected to net $370 million annually, and businesses will have to pay higher franchise taxes for their Arkansas operations.

Legislators left the Capitol after 61 days uncertain whether new taxes, tough new school accountability measures and the first legislative consolidation of Arkansas public schools would be enough to satisfy a state Supreme Court that declared the system unconstitutional.

The House and Senate voted to recess until March 4, declaring their major work complete. Legislators will return then to deal with any errors that may have been found in legislation completed since the Dec. 8 start of their special session.

To fuel a new $2.7 billion school funding formula, the House on Thursday and the Senate on Friday passed a 7/8-cent state sales tax increase and expanded the sales tax to some business services not previously taxed, raising $377 million. The Legislature also raised corporate franchise taxes by $8 million.

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