Senator goes against majority

— When a majority of Arkansas voters approve or disapprove a ballot proposal, the results become law.

Right?

Not necessarily.

State Sen. Bob Ballinger of Hindsville – and/or those who influence him – apparently does not like it that a solid majority of Arkansas voters in November approved a ballot proposal to raise the state’s minimum wage.

Ballinger is reported to have a proposal of his own, Senate Bill 115, which would exempt anyone under the age of 18 from the state’s minimum wage, as well as anyone employed at a school, preschool, college, nonprofit organization or business with fewer than 50 employees.

We’re not so certain ourselves that hiking the state’s minimum wage to $9.25 this month and to $11 in 2021 was the economically prudent thing to do.

But the majority of our fellow Arkansas citizens did think it was and so voted.

We accept that.

That’s how our democracy works.

Unless state lawmakers decide to undo the democratic process.

As reported by the Arkansas Democrat- Gazette, employers and workers covered by Ballinger’s proposed legislation, Senate Bill 115, would be exempt from that increase, as well as from the previous $8.50 minimum wage approved by voters in 2014.

The Arkansas Constitution requires a two-thirds vote of the Senate and House to amend any part of an initiate act.

We urge members of both bodies to think long and hard before going against the wishes of a majority of their constituents.

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