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Lieutenant governor candidates propose economic plans for Delta Friday, Jan 27, 2006 By Aaron Sadler Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Seven lieutenant governor hopefuls outlined their plans for reviving the economy in eastern Arkansas on Thursday, with all saying the effort takes cooperation from leaders across the state. The impoverished Delta region needs help from both political parties and from officials in all parts of the state, the candidates said at a forum sponsored by the Mississippi Delta Grassroots Caucus. While the four Democrats and three Republicans had differing ideas on how to mend the ailing Delta economy, they agreed better public education will lead to higher-paying jobs. State Sen. Jim Holt and Rep. Doug Matayo, both of Springdale, and former U.S. Attorney Chuck Banks of Little Rock are seeking the Republican nomination for the position being vacated by term-limited Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller. Former Rep. Mike Hathorn of Huntsville, political consultant Drew Pritt of Warren, Rep. Jay Martin of North Little Rock and Sen. Tim Wooldridge of Paragould are the announced Democratic candidates. Party primaries are May 23. The candidates championed their ability to be ambassadors for economic development, but Banks said voters will judge them based on their suitability for the governorship. The lieutenant governor presides over the state Senate and is a position that traditionally has been ceremonially. The state's last two governors, Jim Guy Tucker and Mike Huckabee, were lieutenant governors who assumed the chief executive post after a governor's resignation. Banks said voters should ask: "Does that man have the judgment and experience to be the next governor, if called upon." The candidate forum was held on the first day of a two-day conference of the grassroots caucus. Gubernatorial candidates are scheduled to speak to the caucus' meeting today. Thursday, Hathorn said he is encouraged by the work of four community colleges in the Delta that work with high schools to train students for the work force. He said other higher education institutions should learn from that cooperative effort and work together, too. "We don't live in a vacuum," Hathorn said. "What's good for northwest Arkansas; what's good for the Delta; it's good for each other." Banks, who was raised in Mississippi County, said Delta farmers could utilize as fertilizer the waste produced at northwest Arkansas chicken farms. He, like Holt, said economic fortunes have changed for the better in the region recently, with the construction of a Hino Motors parts plant in Marion and other automobile parts manufacturers in other eastern Arkansas cities. Still, Holt said agriculture tariffs are too low and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is sending too many jobs across the border. Holt opposes the 12-year-old federal act. "I've had people say, 'Jim, if things are not changed, I'm going to have to move,'" Holt said. Despite "significant challenges" in the Delta, Martin said the state should provide incentives to attract high-quality teachers to the region. The House majority leader said he supports additional money for teleconferencing capabilities so that faculty at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock can assist doctors and rural hospitals in the Delta. Wooldridge, a medical foundation executive, said he supports more rural health programs and a plan to address the state's nursing shortage with more nurses from the Delta. "In doing so, we will have a fundamental change in the health of the people of the Delta," he said. Wooldridge advocated providing government loans and tax incentives to entrepreneurs who wish to invest in businesses in the region. Matayo favors tax incentives, plus additional help to businesses that will expand high-speed Internet access into rural areas. Matayo touted his work as Huckabee's House floor leader. He said a possible Huckabee presidency would be a huge boost for the Delta. But improving the region is not a partisan issue, he added. "We've got to put the Rs and Ds aside after the election's over, folks," he said. Pritt said all six other candidates have had the opportunity to work in government service, but failed. He characterized himself as state Capitol outsider and Delta resident who knows its problems firsthand. "We've been hearing the same promises over and over and over again," Pritt said. "... You've had your shot, gentleman. You've had your chance." |
