Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Representative Sandra Rodgers Announces Re-Election For Seat

State Representative Sandra D. Rodgers of Hope has announced her candidacy for her last term to the House District 28 position representing portions of Nevada and Hempstead Counties in the Arkansas General Assembly.

"I want to thank everyone in District 28 for allowing me to serve them in the Arkansas House of Representatives," Rodgers said in a prepared statement. "I believe that the people in our district are the greatest people in the world and through team efforts we have been able to make a very valuable contribution to enrich the lives of every Arkansan."

Rodgers said her experience in the state House of Representatives would be an asset in her continued advocacy for the people of House District 28 and for the state.

"We tackled some tough issues last session, such as the highway program," she said. "The House took a leading role in developing a comprehensive program that not only generated revenue for interstate repairs, but also will directly benefit city and county road projects.

"Electric deregulation was a major issue," she continued. "Arkansas became the 18th state to deregulate at least part of the industry.

The electric industry in Arkansas currently is composed of three tiers: the generation, or production of electricity; the transmission of electricity; and the distribution, or final delivery. Arkansas deregulated only the generation. The other two tiers will continue to be regulated by the Public Service Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. It took weeks of debate before the bill was finalized which builds in consumer safeguards.

The legislation put special emphasis on reforming the property tax system so that it is more fair and better suited to the needs of citizens. The cornerstone of the legislation is House Joint Resolution 015, which is a proposed Constitutional Amendment that will be on the ballot in November. Among its provisions:

Provide taxpayers with a tax reduction of at least $300 on property taxes due on the primary residential property. That is equivalent to a tax exemption on the first $35,000 to $40,000 of a home's value, depending on location.

Set a cap of 5% for annual increases in property taxes on a home following reappraisals.

Set a cap of 10% on annual increases in property taxes for other property following reappraisals.

Freeze property values for Arkansans who are disabled or who are age 65 and older so that their property taxes would no longer be subject to increases.

The amendment, if approved by voters, would result in property tax relief of about $180 million a year.

Rodgers cited the following accomplishments for District 28 approved by the Arkansas General Assembly during its 1999 regular session.

A $1,000,000 appropriation for the Prescott Library and Education Center.

A $50,000 appropriation for the Nevada County Fair Association.

A $2 million appropriation for a Distance Learning Center at the University of Arkansas Community College in Hope.

A $500,000 appropriation for the President Clinton birthplace home to enable it to become a national park.

A $206,000 appropriation for southwest Arkansas water systems.

A $4.5 million appropriation for the statewide network infrastructure.

A $400,000 appropriation for county fair improvement grants.

Rodgers said she would continue to work hard on developing state laws to promote law and order, develop the state's economy, expand educational opportunities and improve health and human services programs.

"We face some challenging decisions in the next two years, including how to receive and spend the tobacco settlement money. By working together, I will give weighted consideration to the many issues to help provide, amend or improve the laws of this great state," she said. "Because of term limits, my class will be the leaders in the House the next session. If re-elected to a final term, I promise to continue to work hard and be a strong voice for the people of District 28."

As a member of the General Assembly, Rep. Rodgers chairs the Legislative and Military Affairs subcommittee of the House Committee on Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs Committee. She also serves on the Education Committee, Joint Budget Committee, Energy Committee, ALC Peer subcommittee, and ALC Game and Fish Funding subcommittee.