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More than $1.3 Million Raised in Court-Related Ballot Issue Campaigns
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More than $1.39 million has been raised by ballot issue campaigns on opposing sides
of SJR8 on next year's ballot.
According to financial reports filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission, supporters have raised $516,000 while opponents have raised $874,315.
SJR8 does not officially have a ballot number assigned to it yet, but it's popular
name is: An Amendment Concerning Civil Lawsuits and the Powers of the General Assembly and
Supreme Court to Adopt Court Rules.
The 2018 ballot measure seeks to establish a dollar limit for financial damages awarded in certain types of lawsuits,
shift authority from the state supreme court to the legislature in setting court rules
and procedures, and limit how much attorneys are paid in medical injury lawsuits. Supporters of these types of laws often use the phrase "tort reform" when talking
about them.
Six ballot issue groups (three in favor and three against) indicated they were raising
funds to spend in the campaign, according to filings with the Arkansas Ethics Commission.
Some of those groups found themselves on opposing sides in 2014 involving a similar
constitutional amendment (Issue 4) that was removed from the ballot just before Election Day. More than $1.7 million
was raised by opposing sides of Issue 4.
Get Engaged. Get Informed.
The Public Policy Center has published nonpartisan fact sheets on Arkansas' statewide ballot issues since 2004. We welcome your questions at publicpolicycenter@uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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