Hutchinson seeks input on tax, trauma-center proposals
Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2009
BENTON COUNTY - Having a trauma center is a very desirable goal. But state Rep. Donna Hutchinson, R-Bella Vista, wants input from her constituents about how the center should be paid for, she said.
"Everyone's talking about a tobacco tax to raise money for the trauma-units system. I'd love to have a trauma system around the state, and I definitely would like to have the medical school have a branch up here in northwest Arkansas. But my concern is the way we're going about getting the money," Hutchinson said Friday.
A veteran state representative, Hutchinson will be representing people who live in House District 98 in the upcoming session of the Arkansas Legislature. The session will begin at noon Monday.
Finding a way to pay for a trauma center has preoccupied lawmakers and others for a long time, and so far, all plans have raised objections from some quarters, the state representative said.
"Two years ago when this (trauma unit) was brought up, ... they talked about raising taxes through traffic violations. You know, I can see the link between speeding and a trauma unit. And they were also thinking of doing it on liquor. And I can see the link between alcoholic beverages and the trauma unit because a lot of accidents are caused by people driving while intoxicated. So, I don't like taxes, but I can at least see a link there. But there are some powerful forces - the (Arkansas) Municipal League and everything - that were going to block those types of taxes," Hutchinson said.
In the face of opposition, the search was on for a small group to tax, the state representative said.
"Basically, they just went out and said, where is a small group of people that can't mount a strong political force, and we'll tax them. That's basically what they did," Hutchinson said.
She's no fan of smoking but doesn't think smokers should be singled out to pay for a trauma center, she said.
"I think tobacco use is a nasty, dirty habit, and I think everyone should quit. But, I mean, we're getting to the point that it's almost harassment. ... I'm all for trauma centers. I'm all for the branch of the (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences) up here. But I just have philosophical problems with taxing a group of people who really don't have a direct connection. And there are not enough of them to, maybe, launch a defense," Hutchinson said.
She still supports another cut in the state sales tax that Gov. Mike Beebe has promised to try to get through the Legislature, Hutchinson said. (An earlier cut was made in 2007.) But it's ironic that the tax revenue that would be taken out of the state's coffers if the sales-tax cut is enacted is about the same amount as the trauma center would cost, she said.
"I'm all for cutting taxes, but the amount of taxes (the governor is) going to cut with the sales tax is the amount that would pay for all of this," Hutchinson said.
"If you don't want to tax liquor or speeding tickets, which definitely have a link, then maybe we should just raise taxes because everyone will be using the trauma unit, probably. So we all ought to pay for it and just put it in the budget. That's what concerns me," Hutchinson said. "And, we just can't keep doing this, looking for groups it's politically correct to tax, or ... (that) can bring in enough money but ... aren't a large enough group to be a political influence. We could say we want to build bridges, so let's tax everyone who has a two-car garage," Hutchinson said. "That's just not the way to raise taxes."
She would like to hear from her House District 98 constituents about what she ought to do, she said.
"I would like to know what the people in District 98 would like to do. They can call the House of Representatives ... (message center) or send me an e-mail because I'm going to be in Little Rock now, Hutchinson said.
The House message center's phone number is (501) 682-6211, or e-mail hutchinsond@arkleg.state. ar.us.
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