Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Malone Announces Candidacy For Senate

State Rep. Percy Malone has tossed the gauntlet down for State Senate District 3.

Malone officially announced his candidacy Tuesday, Sept. 7, as he traveled the senate district. The district includes all of Nevada County along with parts of Clark and Ouachita counties.

In making his announcement, Malone spoke of partnerships, saying they have never been more important than they are at this time.

These partnerships, he said, include partnerships between different levels of government; between business and government; between the public and schools; and between government and the citizens.

"All of us treasure our partnerships," he said. "I know I am like most of you in saying the most important partnerships in my life have been those of husband, father and not my partnership with the three greatest grandchildren born in this century.

"But like our family partnerships," he continued, "the partnerships between government bodies, business and schools need constant strengthening."

Malone talked about being a partner with the district in economic growth, educating the young and a partner in crisis, should one develop.

He pointed out the primary election is eight months away, but said the early announcement will give him more time to visit with the people of the district to find out what issues they think are the most important.

"I hope," he said, "as I travel to communities all over the district, voters will join in our partnership and help shape our agenda."

Malone, during his time as a representative, has focused his efforts on getting new and better jobs brought to the region.

He pointed out how bad the unemployment was in Clark County 10 years ago, and how he worked with local business leaders, economic developers and government officials to help bring new jobs to Arkadelphia.

One of the most important issues Malone sees in the race is tax relief. This, he said, is an important economic issue for citizens and business alike.

During the recent legislative session, the General Assembly worked to make the tax system more fair by reforming the property tax system. The reforms, he said, will provide tax relief in the amount of $85 million over the next two years.

Two other issues, he said, to help make Arkansas more attractive to prospective businesses involves improving the state's highways and deregulating the electric utility industry.

These improvements, Malone said, will ensure the existing industries and new prospects can remain competitive in Arkansas.

Malone worked hard to protect the Office of Rural Development, so more rural areas of the state would have access to the resources they need to keep developing their economies.

This kind of partnership between government and communities, he said, is critical to success in the state.

"As your state senator, I would continue to develop and strengthen partnerships to improve economic opportunities for all our citizens," Malone said.

Education requires another kind of partnership, he continued. With the children, educators, parents, government officials and local leaders all being involved.

"I am committed to this partnership as we work to give our schools the tools and environment needed to prepare out children for the challenges of the future."

Malone said the safety of children is of the utmost importance, and everything possible must be done to make sure students are safe when they attend school.

"I very strongly supported legislation to discourage social promotion of students to ensure we remediate them rather than allowing them to advance through the system without the skills necessary to succeed in life," he said. "And I know we have only begun to achieve the standards our schools should have and our children deserve. We still have much more to do."

However, Malone didn't stop at children getting a good high school education. He said as our young people move from high school to college or job training they must have a variety of opportunities available to prepare them to compete in the global economy.

The Southwest Arkansas Learning Center, he said, is a wonderful example of a partnership to provide the skills needed to compete for the jobs of tomorrow.

The joint effort of business leaders, economic developers and educators should make this center a model for offering training throughout the state, he said.

"To give students throughout Arkansas the opportunity to get a college education," Malone continued, "the Academic Challenge Scholarship Program has been expanded to offer greater assistance to Arkansas students."

This scholarship, given annually, he said, amounts to $2,500 for tuition and rewards many of the state's brightest students who otherwise couldn't afford to go to college.

While partnerships are important in economic development and education, he said, they are never more critical than in times of crisis.

One such instance, he said, was the tornadoes of March 1, 1997. This series of twisters ripped through Nevada and Clark counties, leaving a wake of destruction in both, but hitting Clark County the hardest.

The partnerships formed after this disaster, he said, have made the communities better and stronger than they were before.

Because of disasters, the legislature worked to answer needs and address concerns.

Malone said the general assembly provided disaster assistance funds for tornado and flood victims, strengthened the state's preparedness by developing a statewide disaster plan, property tax laws were changed to protect those who suffered damage from natural disasters and changed the school funding formula for districts in disaster areas.

"If you elect me to represent you in the senate," he said, "I pray we will not have to face another crisis together. But if we should, you can be assured I will be your partner and advocate to access available services and, if necessary, to close the gaps existing in those services."

In a little more than a year, he said, the district will elect its first state senator of the new millennium. "I want to build on my experience as a three-term legislator to move South Arkansas forward in the next century."

Malone's day began with the announcement being made in Magnolia and Camden, with a stop in Prescott and concluding in Arkadelphia.

At the end of the 1999 General Assembly, Malone was named one of Arkansas' Top 10 Legislators by a state newspaper.