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Former lawmaker Hoofman named to Highway Commission Friday, Jan 19, 2007 By Rob Moritz Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - A former state senator was named Thursday to the Arkansas Highway Commission. Gov. Mike Beebe named former Sen. Cliff Hoofman of North Little Rock to replace Prissy Hickerson of Texarkana, whose 10-year term expired at the end of 2006. "Cliff Hoofman has dedicated the last 30 years to public service, possesses a deep love for Arkansas and brings an experienced voice to the Highway Commission," Beebe said at a ceremony at the state Capitol. "I have always believed that the roadways of this state are second only to education as far as the responsibility of the governor to the people. Everything else will fall into place," Hoofman said. Hoofman, 63, served 20 years in the state Senate along with Beebe, and before that eight years in the House. He also served two years as the North Little Rock city attorney, and was director of legislative affairs for the state attorney general's office when Beebe held that office the past four years. At Thursday's ceremony, Hoofman said highways with the greatest traffic should have priority in highway funding. He said he supported a $575 highway bond program that voters defeated in a December 2005 special election. Something similar may have to be developed and brought back to voters in the future, he said. "Obviously, if you go back to the voters, you need it to be a different version," he said. Under the 2005 proposal, the Highway Commission would have been given authority to issue bonds at any time for interstate road repair, as long as the total amount of debt at one time did not exceed $575 million. Critics said the proposal would have taken power away from voters and allowed the state to take on near-perpetual debt for road repairs. The Highway Commission in recent months has called for additional money to help fund $19 billion in highway improvement and construction needs. Beebe's budget, released Wednesday, did not include any funding for a new highway program. He has said he is against using state general revenue for road construction. Hoofman would not say directly whether he would lobby Beebe and legislators for additional funding to address statewide highway needs. "I have always known (Beebe) to be a proponent of good roads, so before this session is over I'm sure he will address this issue," Hoofman said. |
