Arkansas chief justice recuses from lawsuit limits, casino measure cases

wireready_09-13-2018-20-08-02_04298_arkansassupremecourt

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) _ The Arkansas Supreme Court’s chief justice has removed
himself from hearing a challenge to a ballot measure that would limit damages
awarded in lawsuits and give the Legislature control over state court rules.Chief Justice Dan Kemp on Thursday recused himself from the state’s appeal of a
lower court ruling blocking officials from counting any votes on the proposed constitutional amendment in the November election.

A Pulaski County judge last week ruled the proposal unconstitutionally combines
disparate proposals into one measure.

Kemp game no reason for recusal in a one-sentence letter filed with the court,
but the chief justice has spoken out previously against the measure.

Separately, Kemp also recused himself from one of two cases challenging a casino legalization ballot measure.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson will have to name a special justices for the cases.

WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI