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Trauma system will be priority in session, Wills says Saturday, May 3, 2008 By Rob Moritz Arkansas News Bureau NORTH LITTLE ROCK - Funding a statewide trauma system that could cost $25 million will be a priority during the 2007 legislative session despite what is expected to be a tight budget cycle, the next House speaker said Friday. Speaker-elect Robbie Wills, D-Conway, also said a former North Little Rock legislator who is seeking a return to the Legislature after resigning over allegations of fondling a teenage girl would be treated no differently than other lawmakers if he is re-elected to the House. Wills said the state Department of Finance and Administration's recent announcement of $107 million in budget cuts due to a slowing economy was evidence that the Legislature may be in a belt-tightening mode next year, though state officials are "cautiously optimistic" economic conditions will improve. Health care is sure to get plenty of discussion next session, Wills said, particularly creation and funding of new trauma system. Arkansas one of just three states without a statewide trauma center and the only state without a Level 1 trauma center. The nearest Level 1 facility is in Memphis, Tenn. Having a trauma system is very important, Wills said, "so people who suffer a catastrophic traumatic injury are brought to an appropriate level of care quicker, which not only save lives but also helps reduce the long term effects of those injuries." Lawmakers supported the idea of a statewide trauma system during the 2007 session but failed to find a way to pay the $25 million cost. The House favored increasing some court fees. The Senate supported adding a fee to auto insurance premiums. The session ended before lawmakers could come to an agreement. Wills said Friday does not expect either funding proposal to be considered next year. He said he and other lawmakers are trying to come up with a revenue source that is fair to everyone. "There's still an agreement on the need, and we're still exploring ways to fund it," he said. Questioned after the luncheon, Wills said he would receive former House member Dwayne Dobbins as he would any other lawmaker if Dobbins is re-elected this year. Dobbins, a Democrat, vacated his seat in 2005 as part of a plea agreement on a harassment charge involving a teenage girl. On the last day of candidate filing in March, Dobbins filed to run for his old seat, which his wife, Sharon, won in a special election after his resignation. Sharon Dobbins did not seek re-election this year, and no other candidate of either party filed for the position. "My obligation as speaker is to serve with whatever representative is sent (to the House) by each district," Wills said Friday. "If someone is duly elected, legally elected, then it's my obligation to work with him." Bill Gwatney, chairman of the state Democratic Party, criticized Dobbins' decision to run again, and urged him to withdraw his candidacy. Gwatney also has said the relationship between Dobbins and the state party, if Dobbins were elected to the House, would be "frosty." |
