AAC


political rhetoric to being the source of humor and just about everything in between. I have never taken much interest in political correctness and simply try to be as considerate and polite as possible to those that I’m working with and for. Of course I have read or heard a few things that were “politically correct” that were plain and honest and put forth admirably — and I’ve heard those things that were quite amusing, but in general, I have not had much use for what has, in my opinion, become a radical way of not offending people that actually seems offensive in its own right. In reading through a list of “politically correct” terms, I learned a shoplifter is actually a “Cost-of-Living Adjustment Specialist” and being dead is “Actuarially Mature.” Here are a few others: • Dishonest is ethically disoriented; • Homeless is residentially flexible; • Criticism is unjust self-esteem reducer; and • Ignorant is factually unencumbered. Te list of ridiculous politically correct terms is almost end- less and, in my opinion, almost useless. However, I came across one term that was somewhat interesting and one I felt could be useful. So let’s segue into my infrequent positive moment of political correctness. Ever hear of “pressure-prompted”? Tis term is used to be politically correct when de- scribing one who is a pro- crastinator. Don’t laugh. We all sometimes find ourselves pressure-prompted


because


we haven’t done something in a timely manner. I suffer those pangs almost daily try- ing to meet some deadline. Let’s mull over the poten- tial use of that term and what it could mean if it was taken out of its politically correct context. It often seems as though government, at all levels, is content to operate under the status quo until external pressures require change. While government is likely not categorized as a “pro- crastinator,” it certainly is “pressure-prompted.” Look at the 2017 session of the Arkansas General Assembly completed and the 2019 session coming up. No doubt we could say they were “pressure-prompted” to revise a plan to allow thousands of low-income, uninsured Arkansans the use of federal Medicaid funds to purchase private health insurance — the pressure of which they will revisit in 2019. Tey will be pressure-prompted concerning tax reform,


B


SEEMS TO ME...


legislators looking at tax reform are looking toward tax cutting more than tax restructuring.


Why does the state continue to look toward cutting taxes when funding needs are so great? In fact, when just and legal debts of the state are being paid by county government. As of June 30, 2015, a study conducted by Arkansas Legislative Au- dit concluded that Arkansas counties were subsidizing the state circuit court system by at least $41 million per year. No doubt it is more now. And these numbers do not include district court costs, which are also a state court under Amendment 80. Te Arkansas Constitution, Article 16, § 2 says that it is the respon- sibility of the General Assembly to “provide for the payment of all just and legal debts of the State.” Te state should be pres- sure-prompted to pay for its court system. More pressure-prompting: 911 funding. Te function of 911 has become an expected and needed service. It is a public safety service that our constituents need and deserve. It was sold to our counties by the telecommunication companies in the beginning as a service that would pay for itself through user fees. Yet, in most counties it never has. Counties across Arkansas are subsidizing 911 to the tune of $20 to $25 million per year. Te Arkansas legislature holds the keys to 911 struc- ture and funding because it is all established in state law. Te state should feel pressure-prompted to help solve this public safety problem.


eing “politically correct” has become everything from political rhetoric to


being the source of humor and just about everything in between.


Why do we continually look toward cutting revenues when our infrastructure — at both the state and county levels — is crumbling around us? County government can- not keep our courthouses and jails properly maintained because we are spending too much of our general revenues paying for state responsibili- ties. I’m not being overly critical


which they have been studying in the interim. I’m sure our tax structure can stand some restructuring to be more competitive economically with surrounding states. Te problem is most


COUNTY LINES, FALL 2018


of state government for being “pressure-prompted” because counties do the same thing. Tey don’t do things that need to be done until the pressures are so great they don’t have much choice. And, even then some do not have the will to do the right thing. Have you ever been in those meetings when the question is asked, “If this is the right thing to do, why weren’t you pursuing it before the current crisis?” Tat’s a good question. Te real an- swer is not usually given. Te answer normally given is that up until recently we weren’t faced with the pressures that exist right now. We find ourselves in a situation that demands change. Te real answer is that if we were properly doing our jobs we would have planned for what we saw and knew was coming


See “SEIZE” on Page 22 >>> 21


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