Governor Tucker's 1995 Proposal: A New Constitution, Why?

Governor Jim Guy Tucker proposed a new constitution in 1995 to address the limitations of the existing constitution, which was seen as an inflexible document from another era. He called for a Constitutional Convention to prepare Arkansas for the 21st century, aiming to resolve frustrating issues and authorizing the General Assembly to offer amendments. Despite his efforts, voters rejected the proposal for a new constitution in December 1995, showcasing the challenges faced by Governor Tucker in implementing constitutional change during his tenure.

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Economic condition

Governor Jim Guy Tucker's administration focused on several legislative initiatives. In December 1992, shortly after assuming office, Tucker called a special session of the Arkansas legislature to address a Medicaid funding shortfall. The session was successful, with bills passed to increase taxes on cigarettes, soft drinks, and certain luxury items, thereby funding Medicaid. During the 1933 legislative session, Tucker signed bills that impacted criminal justice, education, economic development, civil rights, the environment, child support, and election reform.

In 1993, Tucker created the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission through Act 1216. He also signed the Arkansas Civil Rights Act of 1993 into law, outlawing discrimination based on race, gender, religion, physical or mental disability, and national origin. In 1994, Tucker called another special session of the legislature, resulting in 31 new laws being signed, including laws affecting juvenile offenders.

In 1995, Tucker's State of the State address highlighted the state's positive economic condition, with the lowest unemployment rate in sixteen years and more Arkansans working than ever before. He proposed legislative action on various issues, including financial matters, and discussed the need for responsible management of state monies.

Governor Tucker's Task Force for a New Constitution convened in May 1995, outlining several constitution articles for revision at the Constitutional Convention of 1996. However, in December 1995, voters rejected calling the convention by an 80% to 20% margin. Despite this setback, Tucker persisted in his efforts for change, requesting the General Assembly to call a Constitutional Convention to prepare Arkansas for the 21st century. He proposed a convention of 48 delegates, with 20 members from each house selected from the four congressional districts and eight appointed by the Governor. Tucker hoped the convention would address frustrating issues for the state's residents while remaining undivisive. He also authorized an election before March 5, 1996, on the convention's proposed new constitution.

Legislative action

Governor Jim Guy Tucker proposed a new constitution in 1995 because he believed that the current constitution was outdated and hindered the state's ability to address important issues such as school funding, economic development, and the structure of the judicial system. In his address to the General Assembly on January 17, 1995, Tucker emphasised the need for legislative action and requested their suggestions and those of the citizens on various issues. He highlighted the state's sound financial condition, including the lowest unemployment rate in sixteen years, and discussed the possibility of fully funding all categories of appropriations in the Revenue Stabilization Act.

Tucker's administration had previously achieved legislative success, such as addressing a Medicaid shortfall by increasing taxes on certain items and signing bills that reformed the criminal justice system, education, economic development, civil rights, environment, child support, and election reform. However, he acknowledged that there were areas where change was needed. He proposed a Constitutional Convention to prepare Arkansas for the 21st century, suggesting a convention of 48 delegates selected from the General Assembly's membership. He requested that the convention meet before August 29, 1995, and that an election be authorised before March 5, 1996, to vote on the proposed new constitution.

Tucker's proposal for a new constitution was met with resistance. In December 1995, voters rejected the idea of calling a constitutional convention by a significant margin. Despite this setback, Tucker persisted in his legislative efforts. He continued to emphasise the importance of citizen engagement and encouraged the submission of proposals and suggestions.

Overall, Governor Tucker's proposal for a new constitution in 1995 was driven by his desire to modernise the state's governing document and address the limitations imposed by the existing constitution on critical issues facing Arkansas. He sought legislative action and citizen engagement to bring about positive change and prepare the state for the future.

Constitutional Convention

In 1995, Governor Jim Guy Tucker of Arkansas proposed a new constitution to address the state's inflexible governing document, which controlled school funding, economic development, the structure of the judicial system, and the ability of the General Assembly to offer amendments. Tucker's proposal called for a Constitutional Convention to prepare Arkansas for the 21st century, with 48 delegates selected from the General Assembly's membership. He suggested that the convention meet before August 29, 1995, and that an election be authorized before March 5, 1996, to vote on the proposed new constitution.

Governor Tucker's call for a new constitution came after a period of legislative success. During his tenure, he addressed issues such as Medicaid funding, criminal justice reform, education reform, and civil rights advancements. However, despite these achievements, Tucker's administration also faced challenges, including the Whitewater investigation, which resulted in his conviction for conspiracy and fraud.

Tucker's proposal for a new constitution was ultimately rejected by voters in December 1995, with 80% voting against calling the convention. This was followed by another defeat for a Tucker-led initiative in January 1996. Despite these setbacks, one of Tucker's administration's successes was the creation of the "Capital-for-a-Day" program, which brought state government representatives, including Tucker and his wife, to towns across Arkansas.

Governor Tucker's proposal for a Constitutional Convention reflected his recognition of the need for change and his commitment to involving citizens in the legislative process. While the proposal did not come to fruition, it highlighted the desire to modernize and adapt the state's governing document to better serve the people of Arkansas.

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Voter rejection

Governor Jim Guy Tucker proposed a new constitution in 1995, calling for a convention to be held before August 29 of that year. Tucker's request came after a series of legislative successes during his tenure as governor, including reforms in criminal justice, education, economic development, civil rights, and election reform.

However, despite these successes, Tucker's proposal for a new constitution was met with strong opposition from voters. In December 1995, voters rejected the call for a constitutional convention by an overwhelming margin of 80% to 20%. This was followed by another defeat for Tucker in January 1996, when voters rejected a $3.5 billion highway construction project by a significant margin of 86% to 14%.

Tucker's proposal for a new constitution aimed to address the frustrations caused by an outdated and inflexible document that controlled crucial aspects such as school funding, economic development, and the structure of the judicial system. The existing constitution, burdened by numerous amendments and revisions, had become cumbersome and challenging to navigate. Tucker argued that it was time for a change and requested the General Assembly to call a Constitutional Convention to prepare Arkansas for the 21st century.

Despite Tucker's efforts, the voters' rejection of the proposed constitutional convention and the subsequent defeat of the highway construction project highlighted a significant shift in public sentiment. While the reasons for the voters' rejection are not explicitly stated, it is possible that they were satisfied with the existing constitution or preferred a more gradual approach to change.

It is important to note that Tucker's proposal for a new constitution came during a challenging period for him politically. In 1995, the Whitewater investigation, led by Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr, was ongoing, and Tucker was facing legal troubles of his own. Despite winning the 1994 general election with 60% of the vote, the following two years were less successful for Tucker, culminating in his conviction for conspiracy and fraud in May 1996.

Task Force for a New Constitution

In 1995, Governor Jim Guy Tucker of Arkansas proposed a new constitution. This proposal came after a successful two-year period for Tucker, in which he accomplished several legislative initiatives. Notably, Tucker's administration passed bills that reformed the criminal justice system, education, economic development, civil rights, environment, child support, and election reform.

In May 1995, Tucker's Task Force for a New Constitution convened. The task force outlined several constitution articles to revise at the Constitutional Convention of 1996. Tucker requested that the convention comprise 48 delegates, with 20 members from each house selected from the four congressional districts and eight appointed members chosen by the governor.

In his address, Tucker emphasised the need for change, stating that many important areas, such as school funding, economic development, and the structure of the judicial system, were controlled by an outdated and inflexible document. He acknowledged that while there had been attempts to amend this document over the years, it had become encrusted with layers of amendments, making it difficult to navigate.

Tucker asked the General Assembly to call a Constitutional Convention to prepare Arkansas for the 21st century. He hoped that the convention would focus on resolving issues that frustrated the people but were not overly divisive. Additionally, Tucker wanted to authorise the General Assembly to offer further individual amendments or articles of amendment over a period of 4 to 5 years. These measures could then be voted on by the people in regular or special elections.

Despite Tucker's efforts, voters rejected the call for a Constitutional Convention in December 1995 by an 80% to 20% margin.

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