2012 Arkansas Issue 1

none February 2026 September 2023 Amendment 91 Arkansas Arkansas Constitutional Amendment 91 597,215 428,745 1,025,960 210px County resultsFor: #47729e 70%–80% 1px #AAAAAA solid #7d9cbb 60%–70% 1px #AAAAAA solid #b6c8d9 50%–60% 1px #AAAAAA solidAgainst: #DEDEBD 50%–60% 1px #AAAAAA solid Arkansas Constitutional Amendment 91 (known as Issue 1 prior to passage) amended the Constitution of Arkansas to raise sales tax in Arkansas from 6.0% to 6.5% for 10 years to pay for improvements to the Arkansas Highway System. It was referred by the Arkansas General Assembly to voters (legislative referral), and approved by voters during the November 6, 2012 election. History Arkansas operated the state highway system debt-free from 1972 until 1999, when voters authorized $575 million in GARVEE bonds for Interstate highway rehabilitation (later known as the Interstate Rehabilitation Program). Arkansas voters reauthorized the IRP in 2011 at the same amount to continue rehabilitating Interstate highway pavements.Report from Roundtable Discussion on GARVEE Bonds https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ipd/finance/resources/federal_debt/2017_garvee_roundtable_report.aspx Federal Highway Administration Center for Innovative Finance Support Washington DC July 4, 2020 Issue 1 sought to allow issuance of $1.3 billion of four-lane highway construction and improvement bonds, with a sales tax increase used as the revenue stream to pay off the bonds in ten years. The sales tax increase would end once the bonds were paid off. The annual Arkansas Poll indicated support in October, with 53 percent in favor and 42 percent opposed.Moritz Rob Poll: Arkansas Voters Prefer Romney; State Ballot Measures Close Fort Smith Times Record Fort Smith, AR October 25, 2012 NewsBank https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/14221F63319AD658 July 4, 2020 Support The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) and Arkansas State Highway Commission strongly supported Issue 1. Arkansas House of Representatives and State Highway Commission member Robert S. Moore Jr. Arkansas State Chamber of CommerceGoodman Josh After Tax Hike, Arkansas Plans Highway Building Boom Stateline.org Washington, DC November 26, 2012 NewsBank https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/142D4023EEE42E50 July 4, 2020 Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas Mark Darr Former Governor of Arkansas Mike BeebeWood Ron Tax Touted For Projects - Beebe Says Voters Need to Take Lead The Northwest Arkansas Times Fayetteville October 28, 2012 1 NewsBank https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/1423453EE59D49A8 July 4, 2020 Frank Scott Jr.Moritz Rob Beebe Names Former Staffer To Arkansas Highway Commission Southwest Times Record Fort Smith, AR October 18, 2013 NewsBank https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/149807E39637E590 July 4, 2020 Move Arkansas Forward (major contributors included Walmart's Political Action Committee, Jim Walton, Tyson Foods, and SWEPCO) Thompson Doug Region's Biggest Political Donors Gave To GOP - Road Issue Drew Major Support, Contribution Records Show Benton County Daily Record October 27, 2013 1 NewsBank https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/149B3405199CFDD8 July 4, 2020 Northwest Arkansas Council U.S. Senator John Boozman Opposition Americans for Prosperity, Arkansas chapter Washington County Tea Party Results Arkansas Proposed Issue 1 (2012)https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/uploads/elections/Initiatives_and_Amendments_1938-2018_1.pdf Initiatives and Amendments, 1938-2018 Arkansas Secretary of State Little Rock 2018 July 4, 2020 597215 428745 The tax went into effect on July 1, 2013. Tax Break, Tax Hikes Go Into Effect Monday In Arkansas Southwest Times Record Fort Smith, AR June 30, 2013 NewsBank https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/1473FEE025836C90 July 4, 2020 Stephens Inc. issued the bonds for the state. AHTD Director Scott Bennett later testified to the United States House Transportation Subcommittee on Highways and Transit regarding Issue 1's success.Moritz Rob Arkansas Highway Director To Brief U.S. House Panel On Road Funds Southwest Times Record Fort Smith September 16, 2013 NewsBank https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/148DB450324F5178 July 4, 2020 See also Holford bonds External links Issue 1 Ballot Issue Fact Sheet University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Research and Extension Public Policy Center References Category:2012 Arkansas elections Arkansas Category:Arkansas ballot measures Category:Road transportation in Arkansas Category:Transportation ballot measures in the United States Category:Amendments to the Constitution of Arkansas