Traumatized
Lobbyists for cities and counties are so desperate they're coming to see even the columnist. On Friday, a noble bill, HB1575, flew out of the House by 95-to-zip. It would compile a pot of money for hospitals around the state, and in Memphis, to improve their trauma treatment facilities. Arkansas is the only state without what's known as Level 1 trauma care. It's an outrage. Supporting this measure are UAMS, Children's Hospital and the Hospital Association, a stout lineup. In the face of all that, the Association of Arkansas Counties and the Municipal League are really up against it in arguing not against improved trauma care, of course, but the method of funding. You see, the bill calls for earmarking $25 in court fines for traffic violations and $50 for DWIs. One would naturally expect that these fines would be supplemental to those already existing. But the county and city people say that's completely up to municipal and district judges, who can't be counted on simply to pass through the costs by increasing their fines, since some consider fines to be high enough already. The effect will be that some local jurisdictions will lose existing revenue, city and county people say. Surely there's a better way, say the city and county people. Attention turns to the Senate.