Special Session Coming

I just left the press conference of Governor Beebe's announcement that the legislature will convene in special session beginning on March 31st. The session will take up the Governor's proposal to raise the severance tax on natural gas to 5%. The current rate of .3% represents the lowest rate in the country. As most know, the required vote needed to pass the tax is a 3/4 majority in both houses. The Governor believes he has that, with 80 votes in the House, and 30 from the Senate. The tax proceeds will be dedicated to highway infrastructure, and though this won't take care of all highway needs, it is certainly a step in the right direction. Because of the relative comparison to other states' severance tax rates, and the true need for our highways, I made it known to the Governor many weeks ago of my support. 3-4 days should be all that is needed to pass this legislation and a couple of other items, including the age to marry, and this extraordinary session will be history.