Written constitutional objection read as proposed $2 million appropriation pulled from agenda
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Summary
A written letter from Wendell Griffin arguing that a proposed $2,000,000 appropriation (item 26I11) to two nonprofits would violate the Arkansas Constitution was read into the record; the item was pulled from the committee agenda.
During announcements at a Pulaski County quorum court committee meeting on March 10, Justice Young Baker read a written statement from Wendell Griffin objecting to item 26I11 and urging the sponsors to withdraw it.
Griffin's letter says the proposed ordinance would amend the 2025–26 annual budget to appropriate $2,000,000 from contingency fund 187 to provide ongoing financial support for the Children’s Protection Center and Women’s First (the center against family violence) through 2030. The letter asserts the appropriation would violate Article 12, Section 5 of the Arkansas Constitution, which it quotes as barring a county from appropriating money to a corporation, association, institution or individual.
The letter cites multiple attorney-general opinions and a 1990 state case (City of Jacksonville v. Vin House) to argue that state law forbids local governments from contributing public funds to private nonprofit corporations, regardless of public purpose. It also warns that the ordinance would bind future budgets and could trigger separate lawsuits under Article 16, Section 13.
The chair announced earlier that item 26I11 had been pulled from the agenda; no committee vote on the ordinance occurred at the meeting.
The full quorum court may see a version of the item later if sponsors do not withdraw it.