Issue One: The Bumpy Road Ahead

On November 6^th Arkansas voters will cast their ballot on Issue One, a half-cent sales taxes for state highways and roads.

The Highway and Transportation Department says is money is sorely needed to open up congested thoroughfares statewide.

But Americans for Prosperity in Arkansas say if roads are a priority, legislators need to take it from the money already paid by taxpayers.

Anthony Metcalf doesn't have a very high opinion of Arkansas roads. You see, Metcalf has a shiny new Mazda3, and he'd like to keep it that way.

Asked his opinion about Arkansas roads, Metcalf said, "Not good. There's potholes everywhere. It's not good... Every road you drive down, you'll see an extra pothole in it."

Many others agreed at a Shell station in Little Rock (gasoline, groceries and medicine would all be exempt from the tax).

"Some of the roads are in bad condition," said Gloria Jones. "I think the extra tax for the roads is okay, I really do, because our highways need to be in good condition for traveling and safety."

That's what Scott Benett wants to hear. The state highway director was at the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce in Little Rock Tuesday for the release of a report on the state's top 40 transportation projects, all of which basically depend on the passage of Issue One.

"The people are the ones who are going to have to pay the additional taxes," Bennett said. "The people are the ones that are going to be driving on these roads. The people are the ones who are going to be benefiting from these improvements. I think it's really important for the people to vote on whether they want they highways or not."

Bennett says the ballot measure will raise $1.3 billion for state highways and another $700 million for cities and counties, creating 40-thousand jobs and a permanent city street fund.

Americans for Prosperity in Arkansas says the state's cut of 70 cents of every dollar taxed is too much, especially for a tax that would be renewed after its 10-year expiration.

The group also says Arkansas already has the 6th highest tax rate in the country, and the highway department should focus on maintaining the roads the state already has.

Metcalf says he's okay with the tax.

"If it's going to improve the roads, then yeah," Metcalf said.