Lynch at Large

I sure do. For one thing, it means that I have to publish another press release. Pritt pumps those out harder and faster than a Mitch Mustain Hail Mary! This time Pritt is against the college bond issue and, darn it, I know damn good and well he got the idea from my program.

The interview that started all the trouble is posted on lyncho.com and the guests are Glen Hooks and David Carruth. There is a letter down the blog a bit on this same subject, so Pritt is not the only one raising questions.

To me, there is a fundamental issue as to whether we take all spending decisions away from our elected officials. I thought it was OK on the highway bond issue, but that may be the exception.

Here is Prrit's latest press release.

FOR IMMIEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Drew@DrewPritt.com

Drew Pritt, an activist who ran as a Democrat for Lt. Governor, has announced he has organized a grassroots effort to defeat the proposed Referred Question # 1, popularly called the Higher Education Bond. While Pritt says he knowingly is facing an uphill battle, he does note the voters defeated the Bond Proposal once before, and if they know the facts this time around they may defeat it once more.

"The Higher Education Bond is written with the best of intentions but the fact is that a good portion of the money generated by this bond is used to pay existing debt. The State of Arkansas is basically writing one hot check to cover another hot check. If the State of Arkansas was a person they would be told what they are doing is illegal," said Pritt.

The Higher Education bond question that is on the upcomming ballot is exactly like the road bond and other bonds issued before with no overseeing by the public. Its like a hybrid of an unfunded mandate. The only cap is a $250 million one along with a restriction that bonds cannot be issued if the total payments in one year reach $24 million including principal and interest. The State Legislature has no say in whether the
bonds are issued, only the Governor. In my opinion we would be turning control of our tax dollars over to the bureaucrats who we don't elect and who don't have to answer to the voters, only the Governor, if they do choose to answer to someone.

Pritt says one effort to test the strength of his anti-bond statement is an effort to defeat a proposed resolution of support for the Higher Education Bond in the UALR Student Government Association in tomorrow's session. Pritt, who is a Junior at UALR, serves as a Senator Member at Large.

"Once again the people of Arkansas will be losing their vote and their say in the process," said Pritt. "We will not be able to hold the bond holders accountable. The voters defeated this along with the Road Bond in December. Though this is a grassroots effort, I am hopeful that democracy can be maintained, and the voters of Arkansas do not mistakenly vote their rights away this coming Tuesday."

Pritt says he has started to feel a groundswell in this effort, which largely has been via internet, face to face, and telephone communications.

"Everyone is focused on the Governor's race and the personalities," said Pritt. "However, the track record has been good lately. We voted this measure, the Road Bond, and here in Little Rock the proposed Jail Bond down at the ballot box. I would love to cap off 2006 with a shut out of 4-4. But we'll just have to wait and see."

Pritt says he realizes the polls have largely driven this issue. However, Pritt says he is hopeful that voters will take the time to compare the issue with the reasoning to vote it down.

Also, Pritt is using a website at http://www.ArkansasVoteNo.com/ to rally opposition against the Higher Education Bond.

Pritt says there will also be a press conference and potential rally at the State Capitol on Monday, the day before the election, to encourage Arkansans to Vote No on Referred Question # 1, the Higher Education Bond.

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