Ring that Bell

Editor,

I recently received a flyer from Harlan Breaux, incumbent candidate for Arkansas House (District 97). He claimed that he was “making healthcare accessible and affordable.” He also said he was “creating job opportunities and lowering taxes.” Like the flyer he mailed in 2016, none of this had the ring of truth.

I searched the Arkansas Legislature from the last 4 sessions.  I could not find that Breaux had sponsored or co-sponsored any bills to make healthcare accessible or affordable in any way.  Perhaps, in these days of Coronavirus and astronomical medical bills, he thinks this sounds good to voters. But there is no evidence in the legislative record.

Neither could I find proposed legislation to “create job opportunities” or “lowering taxes.” Actually, he voted to increase the gasoline tax that we all pay when we fill up the tank. He did vote to lower the tax rate for Arkansans earning more than $80,000… but not for the average Arkansan.

I found that he had voted for legislation to require DACA students to pay out-of-state tuition. How strange. Many of these DACA students (students who know no other home than the United States) are studying to become nurses, teachers, and other medical professionals. Arkansas has a severe shortage of bilingual professionals.  Why would the legislature actively hinder their education? That makes no sense, unless you don’t want these students to succeed.

I also found that he voted for legislation that would turn our local law enforcement offices into ICE agents. Isn’t that the opposite of community policing that we so desperately need? Again, strange.

I did find that Breaux received $27,000 in campaign donations in 2018 (where did that money go?) including $1,000 from our homegrown oligarch Koch Industries, one of the top polluters of America’s air, water, and climate. 

You do have a choice in this election! Go with a proven winner, Suzie Bell, a candidate with a proven history of serving Carroll County residents. 

Margy Thompson