LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) _ An Arkansas judge has rejected an initial request to
disqualify a ballot measure placing limits on damages awarded in civil
lawsuits and give the Legislature control of state court rules.
Pulaski County Circuit Judge Mackie Pierce on Tuesday rejected the motion for a
preliminary injunction to prevent the state from counting any votes cast for the
proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot. Pierce said a former
judge challenging the measure failed to show he would suffer irreparable harm
without the injunction issued.
Pierce did not rule on the merits of the lawsuit, which is still pending in his
court. The suit claims the proposal violates the constitutional separation of
powers between legislative and judicial branches, and unconstitutionally
combines disparate measures into one amendment.
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