Court Opinion

ID: 3262149
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-05 16:32:49.500356+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:40:17.417788
License: Public Domain

Mr. Oscar Stilley, Attorney at Law Central Mall Plaza Suite 516 5111 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, AR 72903-2041
Dear Mr. Stilley:
This is in response to your request for certification, pursuant to A.C.A. § 7-9-107 (Repl. 2000), of the following popular name and ballot title for a proposed amendment to the Arkansas Constitution. Your submission in this regard is for relevant purposes identical to the popular names and ballot titles I certified in Ops. Att'y. Gen. 2001-209 and 2000-019, in the last election cycle, after a series of rejections in Ops. Att'y. Gen.99-198; 99-260 and 99-412:
Popular Name
  AN AMENDMENT TO CAP THE SALARIES AND REGULATE THE BENEFITS OF PUBLIC SERVANTS, TO BEGIN THE PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVANT RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS, TO MODIFY PROCEDURES GOVERNING LAWSUITS TO RECOVER ILLEGAL PUBLIC EXPENDITURES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Ballot Title
  AN AMENDMENT TO THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION LIMITING THE SALARIES OF PUBLIC SERVANTS TO $100,000 PER YEAR, AND PROVIDING FRINGE BENEFITS FOR ALL PUBLIC SERVANTS IN THE AMOUNT OF 25% OF DIRECT SALARY; DEFINING "PUBLIC SERVANTS" AS ALL OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS, ITS INSTITUTIONS, AGENCIES, OR SUBDIVISIONS, PAID IN WHOLE OR IN PART FROM STATE OR LOCAL TAXES, FEES, FINES, PENALTIES, TUITION, OR RENTS OF STATE OR LOCAL PROPERTY, BUT NOT PERSONS WHOSE COMPENSATION IS FIXED BY CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE NET SAVINGS TO THE PUBLIC TREASURY, AND/OR A PERCENTAGE OF THE NET PROFITS OF A STATE AGENCY; CAPPING THE SALARY OF PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO WORK LESS THAN 50 WEEKS OF ACTUAL WORK PER YEAR AT $2,000 PER FULL WEEK ACTUALLY WORKED; LIMITING PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS BY THE STATE AND ITS SUBDIVISIONS AT AN AGGREGATE OF $100,000 PER PERSON PER YEAR FROM COMBINED SALARY AND PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT INCOME; AUTHORIZING THE SALARY LIMITATIONS TO BE INCREASED OR DECREASED BY POPULAR VOTE AT REGULARLY SCHEDULED STATEWIDE ELECTIONS; PROVIDING THAT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO LIMIT THE PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL SALARY OR BENEFITS TO PUBLIC SERVANTS, OUT OF CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC DESIGNATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF SALARY ENHANCEMENT (SUBJECT TO ETHICAL CONSTRAINTS), NOR TO PROHIBIT PUBLIC SERVANTS FROM EARNING EXTRA MONEY IN PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYMENT, OUTSIDE THE NORMAL WORKING HOURS OF SAID PUBLIC SERVANT; AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO MAKE REASONABLE LAWS GOVERNING THE PAYMENT OF EXTRA SALARY, OR PRIVATE WORK, TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF STATE GOVERNMENT; DEFINING "FRINGE BENEFITS" AS ALL PUBLIC FUNDS PAID FOR RETIREMENT PLANS OR ACCOUNTS (WHETHER OR NOT MANDATED BY LAW), PAY FOR HOLIDAYS, VACATIONS, OR SICK LEAVE; AND ALL OTHER BENEFITS PROVIDED TO OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC SERVANT, CALCULATED AT THE REASONABLE COST OF PROVIDING THE BENEFIT, BUT EXCLUDING UNPAID LEAVE OR BENEFITS PROVIDED PRIMARILY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE EMPLOYER; REQUIRING FRINGE BENEFITS TO BE PROVIDED "CAFETERIA STYLE" WITH ANY UNUSED FUNDS PAID OVER TO THE PUBLIC SERVANT IN CASH AT THE END OF THE YEAR; PROVIDING THAT FRINGE BENEFITS SHALL NOT COUNT TOWARD THE SALARY CAP ABOVE; REQUIRING ALL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS OF PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO ELECT TO PARTICIPATE IN A RETIREMENT PLAN TO BE MAINTAINED ON AN ACTUARIALLY SOUND BASIS IN SEGREGATED ACCOUNTS MAINTAINED FOR THAT PURPOSE; PROHIBITING THE COMMINGLING OF PUBLIC SERVANT RETIREMENT FUNDS WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT FUNDS; PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF PUBLIC SERVANTS HOLDING RIGHTS IN RETIREMENT PLANS; REQUIRING THE PASSAGE OF LAWS TO MANDATE THE FULL FUNDING OF PUBLIC SERVANT RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS; PRIVATIZING ALL RETIREMENT PLANS FOR STATE OR LOCAL PUBLIC SERVANTS HIRED AFTER JULY 1, 2003, SUCH PLANS TO BE HELD IN PRIVATELY MANAGED RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS CHOSEN BY THE EMPLOYEE FROM ANY LAWFULLY AUTHORIZED PROVIDER; GIVING PUBLIC SERVANTS HIRED BEFORE JULY 1, 2003, THE OPTION OF PARTICIPATING IN THEIR EXISTING PUBLIC RETIREMENT PLAN, OR TRANSFERRING THE VALUE OF THEIR RETIREMENT ACCOUNT TO A PRIVATELY MANAGED RETIREMENT SYSTEM; AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO DEFINE, BY GENERAL LAW, THE "VALUE" OF AFFECTED RETIREMENT PLANS TO BE TRANSFERRED; AUTHORIZING ANY RESIDENT OF ANY CITY, COUNTY, TOWN, OR THE STATE OF ARKANSAS, OR ANY PERSON PAYING ANY PART OF ANY TAX TO SUCH ENTITY, WHETHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, TO MAINTAIN SUIT TO RECOVER BACK ANY ILLEGAL EXPENDITURES OF SUCH CITY, COUNTY, TOWN, OR THE STATE, AS THE CASE MAY BE; SETTING THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON ALL SUCH ACTIONS AT FIVE YEARS; EXPRESSLY INCLUDING THEFT BY PUBLIC SERVANTS AS CONSTITUTING AN ILLEGAL EXACTION; MAKING ALL PERSONS OR ENTITIES WHO RECEIVE UNLAWFUL FINANCIAL OR PERSONAL BENEFIT FROM AN ILLEGAL EXACTION JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY LIABLE FOR REPAYMENT OF THE PORTION MADE TO OR FOR THEIR BENEFIT WHERE TWO OR MORE PERSONS ACTED JOINTLY TO CAUSE THE ILLEGAL EXPENDITURE; ENTITLING THE ATTORNEY REPRESENTING THE TAXPAYERS IN SUCH CASES TO A REASONABLE ATTORNEY'S FEE, NOT LESS THAN 25% OF ANY COMMON FUND RECOVERED AND FURTHERMORE SUFFICIENT TO ENCOURAGE REPUTABLE ATTORNEYS TO TAKE SUCH CASES; ENTITLING THE NAMED PLAINTIFF(S) IN SUCH CASES TO 5% TOTAL OF ANY COMMON FUND RECOVERED; MAKING THE RULES HEREIN CONCERNING LAWSUITS AGAINST ILLEGAL EXPENDITURES EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AND CONTROLLING IN ANY ACTION BROUGHT TO JUDGMENT AFTER THE PASSAGE OF THIS AMENDMENT; EXPANDING ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION ART. 16, § 3, WHICH CURRENTLY DISQUALIFIES ANY STATE OFFICER OR GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEMBER FROM OFFICE-HOLDING FOR FIVE YEARS IF THEY UNLAWFULLY USE OR MAKE A PROFIT FROM PUBLIC MONEYS, TO ALSO INCLUDE STATE EMPLOYEES AND LOCAL OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES, AND TO DISQUALIFY ANY OF THE ABOVE PERSONS FROM PUBLICLY FUNDED OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT FOR FIVE YEARS IF THEY "KNOWINGLY" MAKE UNLAWFUL USE OR PROFIT OF PUBLIC MONEY; REQUIRING LIBERAL CONSTRUCTION IN FAVOR OF THE TAXPAYER, SEVERABILITY, AND GENERAL REPEALER OF CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING THAT THE AMENDMENT SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED OR ENFORCED SO AS TO VIOLATE THE U.S. CONSTITUTION ART. 1, § 10 PROHIBITION OF THE IMPAIRMENT OF THE OBLIGATION OF CONTRACTS; MAKING THE AMENDMENT SELF-EXECUTING AND EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2003, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
The Attorney General is required, pursuant to A.C.A. § 7-9-107, to certify the popular name and ballot title of all proposed initiative and referendum acts or amendments before the petitions are circulated for signature. The law provides that the Attorney General may substitute and certify a more suitable and correct popular name and ballot title, if he can do so, or if the proposed popular name and ballot title are sufficiently misleading, may reject the entire petition.
A.C.A. § 7-9-107 neither requires nor authorizes this office to make legal determinations concerning the merits of the act or amendment, or concerning the likelihood that it will accomplish its stated objective. Consequently, this review has been limited to a determination, pursuant to the guidelines that have been set forth by the Arkansas Supreme Court, discussed below, of whether the proposed popular name and ballot title accurately and impartially summarize the provisions of your proposed amendment or act.
The purpose of my review and certification is to ensure that the popular name and ballot title honestly, intelligibly, and fairly set forth the purpose of the proposed amendment or act. See Arkansas Women's Political Caucus v. Riviere, 282 Ark. 463,466, 677 S.W.2d 846 (1984).
The popular name is primarily a useful legislative device. Pafford v. Hall, 217 Ark. 734, 233 S.W.2d 72 (1950). It need not contain detailed information or include exceptions that might be required of a ballot title, but it must not be misleading or give partisan coloring to the merit of the proposal. Chaney v. Bryant,259 Ark. 294, 532 S.W.2d 741 (1976); Moore v. Hall, 229 Ark. 411,316 S.W.2d 207 (1958). The popular name is to be considered together with the ballot title in determining the ballot title's sufficiency. Id.
The ballot title must include an impartial summary of the proposed amendment or act that will give the voter a fair understanding of the issues presented. Hoban v. Hall,229 Ark. 416, 417, 316 S.W.2d 185 (1958); Becker v. Riviere, 270 Ark. 219,223, 226, 604 S.W.2d 555 (1980). According to the court, if information omitted from the ballot title is an "essential fact which would give the voter serious ground for reflection, it must be disclosed." Bailey v. McCuen, 318 Ark. 277, 285,884 S.W.2d 938 (1994), citing Finn v. McCuen, 303 Ark. 418, 798 S.W.2d 34
(1990); Gaines v. McCuen, 296 Ark. 513, 758 S.W.2d 403 (1988); Hoban v. Hall, supra; and Walton v. McDonald, 192 Ark. 1155,97 S.W.2d 81 (1936). At the same time, however, a ballot title must be brief and concise (see A.C.A. § 7-9-107(b)); otherwise voters could run afoul of A.C.A. § 7-5-522's five-minute limit in voting booths when other voters are waiting in line. Bailey v. McCuen, supra. The ballot title is not required to be perfect, nor is it reasonable to expect the title to cover or anticipate every possible legal argument the proposed measure might evoke. Plugge v. McCuen, 310 Ark. 654, 841 S.W.2d 139 (1992). The title, however, must be free from any misleading tendency, whether by amplification, omission, or fallacy; it must not be tinged with partisan coloring. Id. A ballot title must convey an intelligible idea of the scope and significance of a proposed change in the law. Christian Civic Action Committee v. McCuen, 318 Ark. 241,884 S.W.2d 605 (1994). It has been stated that the ballot title must be: 1) intelligible, 2) honest, and 3) impartial. Becker v. McCuen, 303 Ark. 482, 798 S.W.2d 71 (1990), citing Leigh v. Hall,232 Ark. 558, 339 S.W.2d 104 (1960).
Applying the above precepts and in light of my previous certifications in Ops. Att'y. Gen. 2001-209 and 2000-019, your proposed popular name and ballot title are hereby approved as submitted.
As in my previous certifications, however, I must note the particular hazards attendant to the ballot title of a lengthy and complex proposal such as yours. The ballot title for such a measure must avoid both the danger of being too lengthy and the danger of having serious omissions. More specifically, the title cannot be so lengthy as to cause voters to violate the voting booth time limitations, yet it must not omit any of the proposed measure's important factors. For this reason, I must point out that with any proposed amendment of considerable length and complexity such as yours, the sponsor runs the risk of a challenge and of a finding by the court that the ballot title is unacceptable, either because it is too "complex, detailed, and lengthy," or because it has "serious omissions." See, e.g., Page v. McCuen, 318 Ark. 342, 884 S.W.2d 951 (1994). See also, Walker v. Priest, 342 Ark. 410, 29 S.W.3d 657 (2000). This concern may be increased where the measure covers more than one subject matter area. See e.g., Walker v. Priest, supra, (upholding the "CHART" tobacco settlement act ballot title, but stating that ". . . here again, as was the case in Newton, [Newton v. Hall,196 Ark. 929, 120 S.W.2d 364 (1938)] `we have an amendment which deals only with [a] single question,' Newton, 196 Ark. at 948, which helps confirm our confidence in our voters' ability to understand this ballot title.")
Pursuant to A.C.A. § 7-9-108, instructions to canvassers and signers must precede every petition, informing them of the privileges granted by the Constitution and of the penalties imposed for violations of this act. Enclosed herewith, over the signature of the Attorney General, are instructions that should be incorporated in your petition prior to circulation.
Sincerely,
MARK PRYOR Attorney General
Enclosure