LITTLE ROCK (AP) - Arkansas lawmakers
have rejected an effort to change the way certain committees vote on
matters over Republican concerns that it was aimed at implementing parts
of the federal health care law before next year's session.
The revisions failed to win
the two-thirds vote needed before the Arkansas Legislative Council on
Friday. The proposal would have allowed subcommittees to approve items
based on a majority of the members present rather than the majority of
the panel's members.
Supporters of the change
said it was aimed at avoiding issues stalling in lower committees when
lawmakers don't attend meetings. Republican lawmakers questioned why the
council would change its rules just a few months away from the new
legislative session. Republicans are aiming for a takeover of the
majority-Democrat Legislature in the November election.
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