Real Deal Democrats’ Legislative Priorities
Real Deal Democrats prioritize 12 key legislative issues. If all major reforms are enacted in all 12 areas, then Arkansans will enjoy a much higher quality of life and greater prosperity.
Legislators are rewarded in their RDD Grades when sponsoring each of these necessary reforms.
Democracy
Ballot Initiatives
Arkansas’s state motto is Regnat Populus (The People Rule). Enshrined in our State Constitution is the right of the People to petition and put a law on the ballot for all Arkansans to vote on. Direct democracy at its finest.
Unfortunately, this right has been under attack for more than a decade. The first wave of attacks was started by a Democratic legislator at the demand of a corporation in return for stacks of campaign cash. The second wave has been even more brutal, led by Republican politicians opposed to the minimum wage, marijuana legalization, and other progressive measures.
Real Deal Democrats sponsor legislation that restores this ballot initiative right and oppose any legislation which harms this right.
Campaign Finance Reform
Corporate spending on elections is bad for American democracy. These contributions are essentially bribes, and we all know that they influence our elections in bad ways.
Unfortunately, Democrats are also susceptible to the negative influence of corporate campaign contributions, and that is why corporate money in our politics must be banned.
Arkansas Democrats successfully added Amendment 94 to the State Constitution with the goal of limiting corporate influence on Arkansas politics.
In this proud tradition, Real Deal Democrats sponsor legislation that holds politicians financially responsible to the People and not to corporate special interests.
Education
Repeal LEARNS
Republicans are destroying our public schools and giving tax dollars away to unaccountable private and religious schools. This move to hand over our schools to corporations is severely damaging education in Arkansas.
Real Deal Democrats sponsor legislation that will repeal this bankrupting voucher program and significantly increase funding to Arkansas public schools.
Teacher Pay and Safe Schools
Teachers need to be treated on the same level of honor in society that doctors enjoy - and that means paying them. Every Arkansas teacher should make at least $100,000 a year.
Simultaneously, classrooms should be environments where teachers are respected and can educate students. Parents are sometimes hesitant to send their children to public schools because public schools are perceived as places that allow violence and mayhem to disrupt classrooms regularly. This must change, and kids who are regularly violent or disruptive cannot stay in school.
Real Deal Democrats sponsor legislation that raises teacher pay and makes our classrooms safe and stable places to learn.
Environment
Ecotourism
Arkansas is literally the Natural State, and we can and should make ecotourism a foundational pillar of our economy and way of life. Our models ought to be Colorado, Montana, and other places with natural beauty.
This approach will protect the environment, create jobs, improve the health of Arkansans, and give us a sense of shared purpose.
Real Deal Democrats sponsor bills that create ecotourism jobs, provide education and training in this area, reintroduce animals like bison to Arkansas, and keep pollution at a minimum.
Health CarE
Expand Arkansas Medicaid
Everyone hates private insurance! Companies like United Healthcare charge Arkansans every month and every doctor visit, and these same companies routinely deny coverage when you and your family need it the most.
At the state level, Arkansas can expand Medicaid eligibility to all citizens and cover all necessary and routine health care procedures and appointments. This would significantly reduce health care costs for Arkansans while simultaneously expanding coverage. Just think about it - you would not have to worry about how to pay for doctors when you are sick!
Real Deal Democrats sponsor legislation that expands what Medicaid covers and who can be covered. Ultimately, all Arkansans should be eligible to have all their health care covered by Medicaid or Medicare.
Housing
Renters’ Rights
One-third of Arkansans do not own a house and rent instead. This constituency is huge and demands better representation.
Steps must be taken to lower rent, guarantee a livable and safe apartment/house/mobile home, and prevent the rise of slumlords.
Real Deal Democrats sponsor bills that implement rent control, guarantee habitability, remove criminal penalties associated with missing rent, and stop out-of-state companies from buying up all our land.
Work
Minimum Wage
Every hour of your work for an employer ought to be compensated fairly, and every worker deserves a living wage. For every hour you work, you should be paid at least $20. Add that up over a year, and every worker should make at least $40 grand.
Real Deal Democrats sponsor bills that raise the minimum wage.
Paid Leave
Arkansas is getting beat by other countries and other states when it comes to paid leave. Every worker deserves paid leave to take care of loved ones, welcome a child into their family, and to have a little time off to enjoy their lives and the great sites our country has to offer.
Real Deal Democrats sponsor bills that guarantee paid family, sick, annual, parental, and bereavement leave for every worker.
Progressive Income Tax
Income inequality is the defining issue of our time. A handful of individuals have hoarded nearly all the wealth produced by workers in our state and in our country. One necessary method to remedy this problem is a progressive income tax. We need to tax the rich, redistribute that wealth to all, and pay for essential services like schools and hospitals.
Real Deal Democrats sponsor bills that raise taxes on the rich and implement a progressive income tax.
Sharing Profits
A company’s profits are generated by all employees, and all employees deserve to share in the rewards. For decades now, bosses have underpaid workers and hoarded the money created by their shared labor. Other countries have taken steps to address this problem by tying CEO pay to worker pay. No boss should make more than ten times what his or her lowest-paid worker makes.
Real Deal Democrats sponsor bills that link CEO pay to worker pay thus ensuring that all employees in a company get a piece of the pie.
Fun
Razorbacks
Regardless of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, or any other identity, all Arkansans share one thing in common: a love of the Razorbacks! Every child should be able to attend Razorback games for free, and every game should be affordable to attend for every Arkansan.
Real Deal Democrats sponsor bills that boost the Razorbacks and guarantee that all Arkansans get to share in the joy and fun generated by those Hogs!