The majority-Republican Arkansas House has given the
speaker expanded power to appoint committee members months after Democrats
blocked the GOP from holding a majority on a panel that will take up tax cut proposals.
In November State Representative Nelda Speaks was surprised to learn she couldn’t serve on the committee due to the Democrat blockage.
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The House approved the move by a 75-23 vote on Wednesday as part of a package of rules changes that also would allow representatives to raise money during election-year legislative sessions that focus on the budget.
The change won’t affect the current makeup of House committees. The
committees’ membership had previously been chosen by seniority.
Democrats in November secured a majority on the House Revenue and Taxation Committee despite Republicans expanding their legislative majorities. The Democrats now hold half the seats after one Democrat defected to the GOP.
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