LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Feb. 6 (UPI) -- The Arkansas Legislature Friday passed the largest tax increase in the state's history to implement school reforms ordered by the state Supreme Court.
The Senate voted 23-12 in favor of the House-passed bill that would increase the state sales tax from 5.1 percent to 6 percent, beginning March 1. The measure would raise an additional at least $360 million a year for schools.
Gov. Mike Huckabee will allow the bill to become law without his signature because he doesn't think the Legislature made enough progress.
"The governor did not support the tax increase or any tax increase because he didn't feel there was significant reform in education," spokesman Jim Harris said.
Huckabee wanted more school consolidation in rural areas than the Legislature was willing to go along with during the record 61-day special session.
In a 2002 ruling, the Arkansas Supreme Court said the school system was inadequate and inequitable, and it ordered the state to fix it by Jan. 1, 2004.
When the state missed the deadline the court named two special masters to monitor the progress and they are expected to review the changes enacted by the Legislature.
