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Leadership class learns the ropes at state Capitol Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008 By Rob Moritz Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The state Senate on Tuesday endorsed Sen. Kim Hendren's bill requiring drivers to use "hand free" cell phones. Well, sort of. The issue was debated in the Senate chamber, but it was Sen. Bill Pritchard, R-Elkins, not Hendren, R-Gravette, who presented the bill. And it was not the Senate that voted for the measure, but the Leadership Springdale class. The class of 25 spent Monday and Tuesday in Little Rock learning about state government and how laws are made. The group toured the Clinton Presidential Library, met House Parliamentarian Tim Massanelli and got photographed with Gov. Mike Beebe before debating two bills on the Senate floor Tuesday. Along with passing the "hands free" cell phone bill on a voice vote, the group also endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment that would replace biennial legislative sessions with annual sessions. Last year, the real Legislature referred the proposal to this year's November general election ballot. "This has been a very unique opportunity," said Rev. Jesse Gonzalez of the Presbytery of Arkansas. He was the only member of the leadership class who actually went to the well of the Senate to speak in favor of one of the proposals. Gonzalez said he supported the annual sessions amendment because the economy fluctuates and lawmakers should have the opportunity to review the state budget every year rather than every other year. Gary Webb with the Rogers Group, who asked questions during debate over the "hands free" cell phone bill, said it was his first visit to the state Capitol. "It has been very interesting," he said. "I've loved it." Along with considering the measure on the Senate floor, the class debated the two proposals Tuesday during a mock committee meeting. "It's been very informative, seeing all the idiosyncrasy ... of how this all works," said Sean Thornton of Simmons First Bank of NWA. Senate President Pro Tem Jack Critcher, D-Batesville, presided over Tuesday's session. He also gave the class a brief lesson on how the Senate works and the process lawmakers must follow on the Senate floor. Department of Correction officials, including Prison Director Larry Norris, later briefed the class on the state prison system. Alice Church, senior vice president of the Springdale Chamber of Commerce, said the leadership class takes a trip to Little Rock every year, but this was the first time members got to participate in a mock Senate meeting. |
