RES NO 10-07-2000 CITY OF VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS
RESOLUTION NO. /0 1 -2000
Resolution Opposing the Passage of Proposed Amendment 4
WHEREAS the Secretary of State has certified to the November 7 ballot an initiated proposed
constitutional amendment (Amendment 4) to remove the sales and use tax on used goods, to
require a vote on all increases in taxes at a regularly scheduled statewide election, to relax the
procedural requirements for filing class action suits, to remove the bar voluntary payment makes
against the subsequent recovery of taxes, to remove the defense of sovereign immunity; and
WHEREAS Amendment 4 will reduce general revenues $164.3 million and
WHEREAS public education would lose $96.4 million, an amount that could not be absorbed
without increasing class size, postponing building maintenance, eliminating special programs
such as band, music, art and not buying computers, or eliminating support services such as bus
transportation; and
WHEREAS higher education would lose $27.5 million resulting in lost scholarship opportunities
or increased tuition for students; and
WHEREAS cities and counties would lose $20 million which could force cuts or scale backs in
local services such as senior citizens centers, 911 systems, police and fire protection; and
WHEREAS the first opportunity to replace the lost revenue could not occur until a regularly
scheduled statewide election in November 2002; and
WHEREAS requiring that all new or increased taxes, fees, licenses be approved by the voters
will tie the hands of the Governor and legislature, and might make it impossible for the state to
raise the money it needs to keep government operating effectively for its citizens; and
WHEREAS requiring that voter approval of such taxes occur at a regularly scheduled statewide
election could limit the ability of the State to respond to emergencies and throw the entire state
into crisis; and
WHEREAS by creating a new three -year statute of limitations during which taxpayers can
recover disputed taxes, local and state governments could be involved in illegal exaction and
class action lawsuits continuously and be required to pay attorneys fees from taxpayer funds; and
WHEREAS the passage of Amendment 4 would do long term damage to the quality of life for
every Arkansan;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Council of Van Buren, Arkaneas
opposes Initiated Amendment 4 and urges the citizens of Van Buren; ::Arkansas to vote
against this amendment in the November 7, 2000 election.
0 PASSED AND APPROVED THIS:: 16TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2000
CITY CLERK TREASURER OR