Conduit News

In an interview with Conduit News, Fayetteville attorney Anita Schnee and voter and taxpayer Cecillee Duncan raised concerns about appointed boards, borrowing without constitutional limits, and a legislative process they say outpaced the study behind it.

With early voting weeks away and Election Day set for Nov. 3, two critics of Issue 3 say Arkansans are being asked to change their Constitution before anyone has settled how the change would work.

Issue 3 began in the 2025 legislative session as SJR15. It would allow economic development districts governed by appointed boards with the power to levy taxes and assessments and to borrow without constitutional limits, according to Cecillee Duncan, a voter, taxpayer, and senior health guide. [00:32:38]

The law meant to carry it out is still unsettled. That proposed enabling legislation was referred for interim study the day after SJR15 passed, she said.

“So what we’re being asked to do is essentially decide whether we should amend our constitution prior to the enabling legislation being studied,” Duncan said. [00:01:47]

Read more: www.conduitnews.com

Rep. Ryan Rose (R-Van Buren) is knocking on doors and making calls as he faces a Libertarian challenger in November for House District 48. 

Rose told Conduit News the top concern he hears from voters is affordability, especially gas, diesel, and the price of goods. While much of that is driven by federal and global forces, Rose said the state can still "reduce your tax burden in Arkansas and limit spending."

To that end, Rose plans to refile legislation eliminating sales tax on used vehicles priced at $10,000 or less and wants to begin phasing out sales tax on labor, starting with cleaning services. He also floated ending property taxes on paid-off primary residences and freezing rates at the time of purchase, and said he supports renewing a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying.

Rose said he regrets his vote for SB307, the Generating Arkansas Jobs Act, saying lawmakers "kind of got sold a bill of goods" and that he expects reform efforts next session. "This is one I have 100% buyer's remorse on," he said. 

He also reaffirmed his opposition to Issue 3, criticizing it for letting "unelected people pick winners and losers."

Rose, who said education freedom is one of the reasons he ran for office, pointed to signs LEARNS is working. He noted that more schools improved than declined in the latest letter grades, crediting competition with driving better outcomes, and said there is "not rampant fraud" in the program. He also cited University of Arkansas researcher Dr. Patrick Wolf, whose upcoming report on education freedom accounts Rose expects will show how well the program is working. On cost, Rose said the accounts are a good deal for taxpayers, running about $7,000 per student compared with roughly $15,600 in average per-pupil public school funding.

In closing, Rose said constituents across the state who need help with child welfare issues can reach his office through ryanroseforarkansas.com.

Foundational Interview:   
“How many times do you have to win to win against the Governor?”   

Conduit interviews on April 13, 2026, Abtin Mehdizadegan, Special Counsel to the State Board of Corrections (Nov 2023 - Jan, 2026), giving the listeners an inside look from his perspective of the background happenings on how Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and her state agencies and boards  “rule over the people,”  using shocking examples such as denying payment for his services to his client (the Board) by the Governor’s actors, in spite of and contrary to a Court Ruling ordering payment, and the Governor’s hand-appointed Board voting to change an Arkansas Supreme Court finding that limits her power-all being implemented by the Attorney General.  

Rep. Brit McKenzie (R – Rogers) joined Conduit to share his Impression of Session. McKenzie reviewed significant bills, including property rights protections, lobbying reforms, education policies, and term limit transparency.

Representative David Ray (R - Maumelle) joined Conduit to share his Impression of the Session. 

Ray reflected on its outcomes and discussed key bills he championed. The session, described as a "roller coaster," saw successes in Conservative policy but also setbacks, particularly with tax-related legislation. Ray highlighted efforts to advance economic competitiveness, address illegal immigration, and counter foreign influence while expressing disappointment over stalled tax relief measures.

Searcy County Election Commissioners Decertified Amid Paper Ballot Controversy

On June 11, 2025, the Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners decertified three Searcy County election commissioners, including Lauri Gross, banning them from serving for 14 years. The decision, stemming from a $100 equipment lease, has sparked debate over the county’s adoption of hand-counted paper ballots and perceived state overreach. Gross detailed the county’s journey and the intense scrutiny faced since 2023, and the broader implications following the board’s decision.

Conduit has reached out to the Arkansas State Board of Election for additional details and we will provide those once they are available. We have also requested a copy of the recorded meeting from June 11, 2025.

Key Points and Topics

• Background on Paper Ballot Adoption (01:26–05:52)
  In 2023, Searcy County became the first in Arkansas to adopt hand-counted paper ballots after bipartisan resolutions from local Democratic and Republican committees. A quorum court resolution passed 6-2 in August 2023, driven by calls for auditable elections. Gross, a new commissioner, researched costs, finding paper ballots 20% cheaper than machine-based voting.
• Opposition and Scrutiny (07:39–10:45)
  From the outset, Searcy County faced significant opposition, Gross says including from the Arkansas Association of Counties and state officials warning of financial ruin. Despite cost savings, the county was accused of risking bankruptcy by adopting paper ballots.
• Primary Election and Audit Issues (06:14–07:03, 11:11–13:07)
  The March 2024 primary, Searcy’s first hand-counted election, missed eight votes in an audit, fueling state criticism that hand counts are inaccurate. Commissioners faced a 2.5-hour “interrogation” by the Joint Performance Review Committee in June 2024, with intense focus on costs and errors.
  • Watch that committee meeting here: JPR June 27 Meeting
• General Election Success (29:50–32:27)
  The November 2024 general election achieved 100% accuracy in a state audit, validating the county’s hand-count process. Commissioners refined procedures after the primary, feeling vindicated despite ongoing state pressure.
• Decertification Over Lease Agreement (16:26–21:22, 39:31–43:06)
  The decertification centered on a $100 camera lease for ballot-counting transparency, used in both the primary and general elections. Initially unchallenged, the lease was later deemed a donation, violating state law. Gross argued it was a standard lease, documented in meeting minutes, and the state’s objection seemed inconsistent.
• State Board’s Actions and Alleged Overreach (35:01–48:04, 52:21–55:05)
  The state board issued subpoenas during a complex school board election, demanding extensive paperwork and poll worker details. 
• At the June 11 meeting, commissioners were denied the chance to speak, and Gross was ordered to leave after attempting to clarify inaccuracies. The board’s 14-year decertification was criticized as disproportionate, based on “innuendo” rather than evidence.
• Broader Implications for Paper Ballots (49:03–57:46)
  Gross speculated that Searcy County was targeted to deter other counties from adopting paper ballots, noting bipartisan support and endorsements from figures like President Trump and Governor Sanders. She warned that the state’s actions could discourage community service in elections, leaving Searcy County struggling to replace commissioners.