Arkansas Senate District 9: Holland and Pennartz

The race for Arkansas Senate District 9 pits Sen. Bruce Holland, R-Greenwood, against Rep. Tracy Pennartz, D-Fort Smith, in a contest that for Holland, will be about "putting people back to work." While Pennartz also plans to focus on "good-paying jobs," she will prioritize "quality education, lower taxes (individuals and businesses), and healthcare access and availability," as well.

"I believe my values of hard work, integrity, and a sense of honor as well as service to our families and our communities are important to the citizens of Senate District 9," Pennartz said.

Holland, who serves what will become Senate District 9, believes he is the best candidate for the position, "because I am who I represent."

"I am a cattleman, a small businessman, a former factory worker of 14 years, a member of the Farmer’s Cooperative Board of Directors, a life-long resident, a volunteer and a friend to those I serve," Holland said.

These responses were part of a survey conducted by The City Wire in anticipation of the 15 contested state legislative races. Candidates were asked about the top issues in their district, legislative goals for the next term and why each believes they are the right candidate for the position. They were also asked to answer “Yes,” “No,” or “Don’t Know” to a range of issues likely to surface in the 2013-2014 General Assembly.

The candidates' full, unedited responses are below.

• Sen. Bruce Holland
What are the top issues in your district?
The top issue for Senate District 9 is putting people back to work.

What are your legislative goals for your next term if elected?
I will continue efforts to make Arkansas a more business-friendly location for attracting businesses and jobs, particularly in manufacturing. I will work to get the Arkansas River certified to a twelve foot draft. Providing low-cost shipping opportunities from our area to all points reached by navigable waterways could be the most important economic development for our future. I will continue to push for more efficient government. I support legislation requiring drug tests for anyone receiving state benefits. If you have to pass a drug screening to get a job, you should have to pass one to get a state check. I also want stiffer laws against illegal immigrants. Arkansas should not be an illegal immigrant-friendly state. Another important issue for me is to ensure schools can continue to provide school-based mental health services to their students. I believe these programs help dropout rates, improve test scores, reduce drug abuse and ultimately keep underperforming students from winding up in our state prison system.

Why do you think you are the best person to represent your district?
I am the best candidate in this race, because I am who I represent. I am a cattleman, a small businessman, a former factory worker of 14 years, a member of the Farmer’s Cooperative Board of Directors, a life-long resident, a volunteer and a friend to those I serve. I love God, my family and my country. I believe laws made to control access to guns by law-abiding citizens are unconstitutional. I believe in local control of our schools. I respect the Constitution. I am endorsed by Arkansas Right to Life, the NRA, and the National Federation of Independent Businesses, just to name a few. This month, I was honored by the Advance Arkansas Institute for having the Senate’s top fifth voting record for supporting lower taxes, personal liberties and limited government.

YES-NO-DON’T KNOW RESPONSE - Holland
Each candidate was asked to provide a yes, no or don’t know response to the following four questions. Anything other than one of the three responses was not accepted.

If budget conditions allow, would you vote for renewal of the Quick Action Closing Fund?
Yes

Are you for the Nov. 6 ballot item that would raise the Arkansas sales tax rate by a half-cent (0.5%) to fund more than $1.8 billion in Arkansas road improvements during the next 10 years?
No

Would you support tougher ethics laws for Arkansas Legislators?
Yes

Would you support expansion of Arkansas’s Medicaid program using federal dollars as part of the new federal healthcare law?
No

• Rep. Tracy Pennartz
What are the top issues in your district?
Good-Paying Jobs, Quality Education, Lower Taxes (individuals and businesses), and Healthcare Access and Availability.

What are your legislative goals for your next term if elected?
My primary focus will be job creation as well as economic and rural development.

As a legislator, I voted for the people's right to decide whether to tax themselves to improve our state and county highways as well as our city streets and bridges. If passed, the temporary tax would not be collected on gasoline, groceries or medicine. If the people choose to pass Proposed Amendment #1 there could be very positive effects upon economic and rural development such as the creation of approximately 40,000 jobs.

I believe firmly in putting our people first!  IF we are able to extend our current Medicaid program without additional cost to the State for three full years while providing the opportunity to access healthcare services for nearly 250,000 working Arkansans, then I would support such an initiative.

Why do you think you are the best person to represent your district?
Having served almost six years as a State Representative, I believe my proven record of legislative leadership, constituent service, and producing positive results for western Arkansas can continue to be an asset in the Senate. For example, since I took office in 2007, I have been part of cutting taxes in excess of $734,000,000 dollars. Lastly, I believe my values of hard work, integrity, and a sense of honor as well as service to our families and our communities are important to the citizens of Senate District 9.

YES-NO-DON’T KNOW RESPONSE - Pennartz
Each candidate was asked to provide a yes, no or don’t know response to the following four questions. Anything other than one of the three responses was not accepted.

If budget conditions allow, would you vote for renewal of the Quick Action Closing Fund?
Yes

Are you for the Nov. 6 ballot item that would raise the Arkansas sales tax rate by a half-cent (0.5%) to fund more than $1.8 billion in Arkansas road improvements during the next 10 years? (Pennartz was unwilling to provide a "Yes," "No," "Don't Know" answer to this question.)

Would you support tougher ethics laws for Arkansas Legislators?
Yes

Would you support expansion of Arkansas’s Medicaid program using federal dollars as part of the new federal healthcare law? (Pennartz was unwilling to provide a "Yes," "No," "Don't Know" answer to this question.)