1755RESOLUTION NO. x.755
A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE PASSAGE OF
PASSAGE AMENDMENT 3
WHEREAS, the Secretary of State has certified to the November 5 ballot an initial
proposed constitutional amendment (Amendment 3) to remove the sales tax on food and
medicine; and,
WHEREAS, Amendment 3 will reduce general revenues by $435 million; and,
WHEREAS, public education would lose $117.6 million, an amount that could not be
absorbed without increasing class size, postponing building maintenance, eliminating special
programs such as band, music, art and not buying computers, or eliminating support services such
as bus transportation; and,
WHEREAS, higher education would lose $13.6 million resulting in lost scholarship
opportunities or increased tuition for students; and,
WHEREAS, cities and counties would lose revenue which would force cuts or scale
backs in local services such as senior citizens centers, 91 l systems, police and fire protection; and,
WHEREAS, all new, additional or increased taxes not exempting food and medicine
shall be void, but taxes on food and medicine established before the effective date of this
amendment will continue to be collected until July 3, ?003; and,
WHEREAS, prescription medicines are already exempt from taxation and this
amendment would apply to over the counter medicines which include such items as pills, creams,
salves and ointments; and,
WHEREAS, Medicaid would lose $42 million a year with the loss of the 1994 soda pop
tax and also the $ l?6 million in federal matching funds; and,
l
WHEREAS, the passage of Amendment 3 would do long term damage to the quality of
life for every Arkansan;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS, THAT:
The City Council of West Memphis, Arkansas opposes Initiated Amendment 3,
and urges the citizens of West Memphis, Arkansas to vote against this amendment in the
November 5, 2002 election.
ADOPTED this ~ 1 `' day of October, 2002.
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William H. Johnson, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Phillip Para, City Clerk
SPONSOR:
CITY CLERKS OFFICE
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