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Editorial: Shane Broadway A Good Choice

Shane Broadway has been a rising star on the Arkansas political scene for years, and we see no reason that his star shouldn’t rise a little higher as he now runs for lieutenant governor.

Broadway is a lifelong resident of Bryant, graduating high school there in 1990. He attended Arkansas State University, where — no surprise to anyone now — he was elected president of the student body.

In 1995, he was volunteering during the legislative session when he met Debbie Tableriou. The two would be married in the rotunda of the State Capitol the next year. Two days later, he filed to run for the state Legislature, and he’s been a fixture at the Capitol ever since.

Broadway has served three terms in the state House of Representatives, from 1997 through 2002. In his last term, he was elected speaker of the House, making him the youngest ever to serve in that position in the state.

After serving the maximum number of years possible in the House, Broadway ran successfully for state Senate in 2002 and in 2006.

Broadway has been instrumental in Arkansas’ efforts to encourage economic development, increase jobs and stay on task in its improvements in education. Other than the two years when he was speaker of the House, he served on the Education Committee every term.

As a senator, Broadway served as vice chairman of the Joint Energy Committee, and he now serves as a member of the Senate Education Committee, the Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee, the Joint Budget Committee and the Legislative Council. At one time, he also was chairman of the Southern Legislative Conference, a group of lawmakers from 15 southern states with the goal of encouraging cooperation among its members.

Broadway is very active in his community, serving on numerous boards, from Saline County Ducks Unlimited to the Bryant Boys and Girls Club to the CARTI Foundation, to name just a few.

Currently, he works as director of client development for InSight Communications of Bryant and is also employed by the Saline County Development Cooperation.

Broadway has shown that he has a thorough knowledge of Arkansas and has put much of his emphasis into the key areas of education and economic growth. Based on that, he’s been a very successful lawmaker, and we feel certain that he will take his experience in the Legislature with him to become a talented lieutenant governor who will complement the efforts of the governor’s office.

As you go to the polls, we ask that you cast a ballot for Arkansas’ future and vote for Shane Broadway.

Shane is endorsed by even more respected Arkansas news outlets:

The Arkansas Times

SHANE BROADWAY for lieutenant governor. Broadway has been a competent and forward-looking state senator, and unlike his opponent, he understands that the lieutenant governor has nothing to do with federally mandated health care.

The City Wire, Fort Smith

The City Wire endorses State Sen. Shane Broadway. We base the endorsement on what Broadway has proven he can do — a political decision to stick with the bird in the hand.

Darr is a small business owner and makes a good case for good governance, but we know Broadway was an effective Speaker of the House and has proven to be a fan of pro-growth/business policies in the Arkansas Senate.

Broadway was a key partner with Gov. Mike Beebe in fighting for and winning a 3% reduction in the sales tax on groceries. Broadway also supported a reduction in sales tax on utilities for manufacturers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, October 22, 2010

Broadway Soars Up in Polls, Leads Near Election Day

More and Better Jobs message trumps opponents support of 38%
in new sales taxes, privatizing Social Security

BRYANT, ARKANSAS—A new Arkansas News Service/Stephens Media poll shows Shane Broadway leading his Lieutenant Governor opponent. The poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling shows Broadway ahead 39% to 37%.

For more than five weeks, Broadway has been all over the state on his More and Better Jobs Tour talking with community and business leaders, workers and educators about how to create and retain jobs in our communities.

“This is great news, a sign of the support we’ve seen on the campaign trail. But the only poll I care about is on Election Day,” Broadway said from the road to his next More and Better Jobs Tour stop. “Arkansans want a Lieutenant Governor with a detailed plan to help business and industry grow here in Arkansas and to get people to work. They want someone who’s done it already, and I have.”

Broadway’s opponent, Mark Darr, sent his campaign tripping over his own words after reaffirming his support1,2,3 for a back breaking 38% worth of new state and national sales taxes on the “goods and services” that Arkansans buy, including every single pizza, television, shotgun, automobile, or bag of groceries.

After being called out on his support for these new taxes, Darr sent his campaign manager out to retract his words, saying Darr “misspoke.” Darr’s words, however, speak for themselves.

Darr’s campaign has also “misspoke” about Shane Broadway’s record in a new television ad. The truth is, Broadway has worked closely with Governor Mike Beebe to cut more than $500 million in taxes—on everything from groceries to income taxes to diesel fuel—and kept our state’s budget balanced. As an economic developer and small businessman, Broadway worked with Hascall Steel in Saline County to save jobs that would have been lost and helped bring together SNTech and ElectroCraft Arkansas to create up to 200 new jobs all in the private sector.

Mark Darr has also reaffirmed his support for privatizing Social Security, a risky plan to put many American’s retirement up to the whims of the stock market.4

“Mark Darr has done a lot of ‘misspeaking’ during this election,” said Broadway. “First trying to cover up his support for 38% in new sales taxes that would cripple Arkansas’s small businesses and put a huge burden on Arkansas families and then misleading Arkansans about my record of cutting taxes and helping to create and save jobs. Arkansans are seeing right through Mark Darr’s ‘misspeak.’”

A lifelong resident of Arkansas, Broadway is married to the former Debbie Tableriou and lives in Bryant where the couple attends First Baptist Church. Broadway has served in the Arkansas House of Representatives and state Senate. He is Director of Client Development for InSight Communications of Bryant and is also employed by the Saline County Development Corporation. Broadway is a graduate of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.

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[1] Mark Darr Interview on KARN’s Dave Elswick’s Show, January 28, 2010

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=530785245773

[2] Broadway Files for Halter’s Job, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Mike Wickline, March 04, 2010, Arkansas section. Pg. 9 and 16

[3] Broadway, Darr spar on school funds, tax, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Mike Wickline, October 13, 2010, Arkansas section, Pg. 9

[4] President Participates in Conversation on Social Security in Arkansas, White House Press Releases and Documents, February 4, 2005 http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/02/20050204-7.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Darr Campaign Tripping Over Own Words
Trys to cover up support for new 38 percent sales tax on Arkansas families
and small businesses

BRYANT, ARKANSAS—Mark Darr’s campaign is tripping over itself trying to cover up his support for a new 38 percent sales tax on everything Arkansans buy including every single pizza, television, shotgun, automobile, or bag of groceries.

According to Mike Wickline in the Wednesday, October 13, 2010 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, only minutes after Mark Darr reaffirmed his support for a new 15 percent state sales tax and 23 percent national sales tax—a whopping 38 percent tax hike—on the “goods and services that you buy,” Darr’s campaign manager said his boss had “misspoke.”

“What people need to be afraid of is Mark Darr’s support of 38 percent in new taxes on everything we buy,” said Shane Broadway, candidate for Lieutenant Governor. “Mark Darr is saying one thing, but his campaign manager is saying another. I’m going to listen to the man who wants to be Lieutenant Governor who said he supports both a new state and national sales tax that would put a huge burden on Arkansas families and would cripple small businesses here in the state.”

“I haven’t signed on to any national group’s pledge, I’ll let my record do the talking,” Broadway continued. “While in the General Assembly I’ve been part of cutting $500 million in taxes, on groceries, diesel fuel, utilities for manufacturers, income taxes, homestead property tax credits and the list goes on.”

During the debate on Tuesday, Shane Broadway highlighted his strong track record as a businessman, economic developer and public servant. He’s worked with business, industry, educators, entrepreneurs and working Arkansans to grow and create hundreds of jobs in our state. Broadway is the only candidate in the race who has put forth a detailed plan to help bring More and Better Jobs to Arkansas. Broadway said jobs, economic development and improving education for all of Arkansas will continue to be his focus as Lieutenant Governor.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Darr Doubles Down on Taxing Hard Working Arkansans

Announces support for some 38 percent in new sales taxes and idea to gamble away Social Security in the stock market

CONWAY, ARKANSAS—Lieutenant Governor candidate Mark Darr reasserted his support of a staggering 38 percent in new sales taxes on everything Arkansans buy including every single pizza, television, shotgun, automobile, or bag of groceries.

When asked about his support for a new 15 percent state sales tax and 23 percent national sales tax, which together would add up to some 38 percent in new taxes, Darr stuck with his earlier position that it was a good idea.

“It’s hard to believe that any small business owner would support 38 percent sales tax,” said Shane Broadway, candidate for Lieutenant Governor. “Hard working Arkansans don’t need a bigger burden on their wallets during these tough economic times, they need tax relief. Small businesses along Arkansas’s border would be shut down by the loss of customers to other states if Mark Darr has his way.”

Broadway continued, “I’m on the side of Arkansas families and small businesses. I’ve voted to cut taxes by more than $500 million on everything from groceries to diesel fuel to income taxes. As a businessman and economic developer, I’ve worked with business, industry, educators, entrepreneurs and working Arkansas to grow and create hundreds of jobs in our state. They deserve a strong voice as their Lieutenant Governor, someone who knows how to cut taxes and create jobs, and I’m that guy. I can do it, because I’ve done it.”

Darr also seconded his support of a plan to give Wall Street control of our Social Security trust fund, risking American’s retirements on the whims of the stock market.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Broadway Takes on Opponent’s Ill Conceived Views in Debate

Broadway to focus on job creation and improving education
Darr supports ‘brand new sales tax’ and privatizing social security

CONWAY, ARKANSAS – Arkansas Lieutenant Governor candidate Shane Broadway planned to put forth a strong plan for bringing more and better jobs to Arkansas during the AETN-sponsored debate Tuesday.

Broadway also said he would take Mark Darr to task for supporting the concept of a “brand new sales tax on everything” and risking Social Security in the stock market. Mark Darr has spent most of this campaign focused on issues beyond the reach of the Lieutenant Governor’s office, but in doing so he fails to talk about his support of privatizing Social Security, which would be harmful to Arkansas seniors.

Broadway issued a press release before the debate and planned to touch on many of the points in his release during the debate.

Highlighting his detailed More and Better Jobs for Arkansas plan as well as his distinguished record of bringing together a bipartisan group of legislators and education advocates to improve Arkansas’s public school system, Broadway said he was the best candidate in the race.

“All my life, I’ve understood the value of a good education, a good job and some old fashioned hard work,” Broadway said. “I am the worker Arkansas needs right now to keep our economy on track, create jobs and be fiscally responsible.”

Broadway pointed out that his opponent supports the concept of a radical plan that would saddle the middle class with more taxes and hurt small business growth called a “fair tax.”

In an interview on KARN[1], Mark Darr announced his support for a gigantic new sales tax on everything Arkansas families and businesses buy, and he reaffirmed his support in a story in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette[2].

Broadway noted Darr’s plan would result in either a 23% national sales tax or a 15% state sales tax on every single pizza, television, shotgun, automobile, or bag of groceries purchased by consumers.

Darr also advocated a plan to risk our Social Security by betting it on the whims of Wall Street[3].
Shane Broadway said he is the true fiscal conservative in the race. He has gone to bat for Arkansas families and businesses, cutting taxes by more than $500 million, including slashing the tax on groceries, utilities for manufacturers, diesel fuel for farmers and income taxes.

As a small businessman with Insight Communication and an economic developer with the Saline County Economic Development Corporation, Broadway has worked closely with small businesses and industry, local community and education leaders and entrepreneurs to grow their business, attract new jobs and retain existing jobs for hard working Arkansans across the state. He’s been a part of success stories like saving jobs at Hascall Steel in Saline County and the partnership of SNTech and ElectorCraft Arkansas in White County that is expected to create up to 200 new jobs.

“I know how to help businesses create jobs, because I’ve done it,” Broadway said. “As Lieutenant Governor, I’ll continue to bring together industry, entrepreneurs, educators and elected officials to attract new, good-paying jobs to Arkansas so our children and grandchildren can stay here in Arkansas.”

“If your truck breaks down, you take it to a guy who fixes trucks. If your roof leaks, you find a guy who knows how to fix a roof. I’m the guy in the race for Lieutenant Governor who knows how to create jobs,” said Broadway.

In the State Senate, Broadway was instrumental in bringing together educators and legislators from both parties to hammer out the details of education reform. He worked to ensure that Arkansas students would receive a high-quality education no matter where they went to school and simultaneously found a solution to get our state out of an expensive lawsuit.

“I am a true son of Arkansas,” said Broadway in conclusion. “I am the true fiscal conservative in this race who has cut taxes and knows how to create jobs, and I respectfully ask for your vote.”

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[1] Mark Darr Interview on KARN’s Dave Elswick’s Show, January 28, 2010

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=530785245773

[2] Broadway Files for Halter’s Job, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Mike Wickline, March 04, 2010, Arkansas section. Pg. 9 and 16

[3] President Participates in Conversation on Social Security in Arkansas, White House Press Releases and Documents, February 4, 2005 http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/02/20050204-7.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 11, 2010

Shane Broadway Endorsed by National Rifle Association
NRA lauds Broadway’s commitment to protecting the rights of
law-abiding firearm owners and sportsmen

BRYANT, ARKANSAS – Shane Broadway received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association in his bid for Arkansas Lieutenant Governor.

“Your exemplary record of past service in the Arkansas State Legislature clearly illustrates your commitment to protecting the rights of law-abiding firearm owners and sportsmen,” The NRA’s Arkansas State Liaison, Anthony Roulette, said. “Based upon your proven record and firm pledge to continue to serve as an advocate for Arkansas’ law-abiding gun owners you have earned an A rating from the NRA-PVF.”

“I’m proud to receive the endorsement of the National Rifle Association and many hunters and sportsmen across Arkansas,” said Broadway. “I grew up in a family of hunters and fishermen just like so many Arkansans, and I’ve always been a strong supporter of our Second Amendment rights. I co-sponsored and support Issue 1, guaranteeing Arkansans the right to hunt, fish and trap wildlife and as Lieutenant Governor I will continue to advocate for legislation important to Arkansas gun owners, hunters and fishers.”

A lifelong resident of Arkansas, Broadway is married to the former Debbie Tableriou and lives in Bryant where the couple attends First Baptist Church. Broadway has served in the Arkansas House of Representatives and state Senate. He is Director of Client Development for InSight Communications of Bryant and is also employed by the Saline County Development Corporation. Broadway is a graduate of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.

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Story Date: Friday, October 8, 2010
Broadway focuses on job growth

By George Jared

JONESBORO — Job development, economic growth and education will be state Sen. Shane BROADWAY’s focus if he’s elected lieutenant governor in the November general election — even if it has little to do with the job he seeks.

Over the last five years Arkansas’ education and economy have improved more than during any other stretch of the state’s history, despite a national recession, said BROADWAY, D-Bryant. If he and Gov. Mike Beebe are elected, BROADWAY said he’ll work closely with the governor to create jobs.

“I want to be part of the next step,” BROADWAY said during an interview at The Sun offices Friday.

BROADWAY blasted his Republican opponent, Mark Darr of Rogers, who plans to file a private lawsuit to overturn the recently passed federal health-care overhaul. The lieutenant governor cannot sue on behalf of the state, and BROADWAY thinks Darr’s reported plan to file a private lawsuit with grassroots efforts is a bad one.

“He should have run for Congress,” BROADWAY said.

He later added, “There’s things about the bill I don’t like. … You’ve got to go about it through the democratic process. … I don’t think filing a lawsuit is the way to go.”

The lieutenant governor has two constitutional obligations — to become governor when the sitting governor is incapacitated or out of state and oversee the Arkansas Senate. BROADWAY said he plans to spend a great deal of his time expanding the Arkansas Works program, started by Beebe. Arkansas Works coordinates education, training and economic development in Arkansas’ communities, according to a press release.

Touring Arkansas

BROADWAY has been touring the state the last several weeks promoting his own “More and Better Jobs Plan.” One project BROADWAY said he’s been working on is an entrepreneur training program at the state’s 2-year colleges.

The program would show prospective business owners how to develop business and marketing plans, he said.

Darr has also said he’ll work to get rid of the state’s $150 annual corporate franchise tax.

“That’s an unnecessary tax,” Darr said, according to a story by the Arkansas News Bureau. “That’s $11 million that could be put back into the private sector.”

Legislation increasing the tax was passed with BROADWAY’s support in 2004.

“If you repeal it without replacing it, you’ll end up in court,” BROADWAY said.

The tax is part of the state’s funding solution, used to reform the state’s education system after a ruling by the Arkansas Supreme Court.

A consultant with the Saline County Economic Development Corporation for the last five years, BROADWAY said the nonprofit has saved or created up to 150 high-paying jobs during his tenure, including some in Searcy. Promoting small business growth is vital to Arkansas’ economic fortunes, he said.

Continue work

BROADWAY said he’ll continue to work with the corporation on already developed projects not in competition with other counties and cities in the state if he’s elected.

An Arkansas State University graduate, BROADWAY was elected to the Arkansas Legislature in 1996 and served one term as the state House speaker. He has served in the state Senate since being first elected in 2002.

BROADWAY and Darr are vying to replace current Lt. Gov. Bill Halter, who unsuccessfully challenged U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln in the Democratic primary.

The candidates are slated to debate each other Tuesday in Conway.

HOW WE SEE IT Shane Broadway For Lt. Governor

We endorse Shane Broadway for lieutenant governor because whoever holds that office must stand ready to be governor.

Broadway’s more than ready.

What impresses us about Broadway isn’t the length and variety of his legislative and leadership experience, even thoughthat includes a term as Speaker of the House. It’s the sheer weight of it all. As a state senator from Bryant, Broadway did much of the heavy lifting of education reform. He took on the jobs and issues nobody else did.

Broadway, a Democrat, was vital in assuring that state school funding remained based on a perstudent formula, not parceled out by district. This matters a great deal to this region – the growing part of the state.

Broadway’s role was beyond vital – it was pivotal – in setting up the state’s school facility funding system. While others, including Rogers’ own Sen. David Bisbee, were instrumental, it was Broadway who led a dedicated and bipartisan group of lawmakers through the hammering out of the details. It was Broadway who provided the leadership to convince our Legislature to set aside a half a billion dollars for future facility needs.

Five hundred million dollars could have bought plenty of pork. Thanks largely to Broadway, it will keep students warm and dry while fixing leaks, mending cracks and helping to pay for necessary expansion in growing districts.

These are the kinds of things government is really for, something too many lawmakers forget.

Broadway put the focus on the most necessary brick and mortar needs and kept it there.

That takes leadership.

All this shows that Broadway has won the respect of his peers – Republican and Democrat.

Assuming the governor remains in good health and good legal standing, the office of lieutenant governor is largely ceremonial. He presides over the state Senate. The office only gets what the holder brings to it. Broadway would bring respect and the ability to weigh in on vital, complicated questions.

The lieutenant governor cannot make people listen to him or take his advice. Broadway, however, isn’t likely to be ignored. His view is one lawmakers should listen to, especially in this age of term limits.

Broadway’s opponent, Mark Darr, is a fine man and a good businessman. He’s from our region.

However, he’s running for an office that can be easily ignored. In fact, it has been ignored, sometimes pointedly so.

The current office holder, Bill Halter, created the state scholarship lottery. He was able to go beyond his official role and get it on the ballot through voter signatures. As soon as it passed, though, legislators quickly informed him and the press that Halter’s opinions on how the lottery scholarships should be managed didn’t matter to them any more than those of any other constituent.

Darr touts an ambitious program of cutting spending, creating jobs and demanding accountability. We doubt he’ll get the chance to do any of that while serving in an office that largely amounts to Senate master of ceremonies. The only chance he’d have is if he became governor. The odds for that are long, and we’re concerned about whether he would be ready for the governor’s role if it did fall to him.

We’ve no doubt that many Arkansans are frustrated at the direction the country is going and that Arkansas is being swept along with it.

However, there’s a Republican tide rolling in congressional races here and elsewhere. We see no need to try and make a largely symbolic statement in an office that’s only a heartbeat away from governor’s office.