In a rare show of bipartisan unity, the chairs of Miller County’s two major parties have signed a joint endorsement urging Arkansas voters to support Issue 3 on the November ballot. The measure would amend the state constitution to allow cities, counties and cooperative areas to establish economic‑development districts and to use locally approved financing tools for qualifying projects.
Why Issue 3 matters to Texarkana, Arkansas
Texarkana straddles the Texas‑Arkansas state line, sharing a workforce, regional highway network and even the Texarkana Regional Airport. Residents on both sides shop, work and attend school across the border. Yet the Arkansas side lacks the same suite of economic‑development incentives that Texas municipalities enjoy, such as tax abatements, enterprise‑zone programs and voter‑approved development corporations funded by local sales taxes.
Texas has been using these tools since the late 1980s. Chapter 380 of the Texas Local Government Code, enacted in 1989, permits municipalities to offer loans, grants and tax incentives to attract private investment. The state’s Development Corporation Act, dating to 1979, further expands financing options. Aerial photographs comparing Texarkana in 1989 with today show markedly different growth patterns, a visual reminder that policy tools can shape development outcomes.
Economic competition across the state line
In 2025, Texarkana, Texas reported 42 business‑development activities that could bring up to $220 million in investment and create roughly 700 jobs at full capacity. While not every incentive guarantees a project, the data illustrate that economic competition is real and that local governments use a variety of tools to attract businesses.
Arkansas currently offers no comparable local sales‑tax rebates or abatements. The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service notes that Arkansas is among the states lacking these mechanisms, putting Texarkana, Arkansas at a disadvantage when competing for the same investors.
What Issue 3 would change
Issue 3 would create a constitutional framework allowing the General Assembly to authorize localities to form economic‑development districts and to adopt financing mechanisms—such as tax increment reinvestment zones or voter‑approved sales‑tax projects—subject to local approval. The measure does not mandate that every project receive an incentive; rather, it gives local leaders the discretion to decide which investments align with community priorities.
Proponents argue that this flexibility could help improve infrastructure, support entrepreneurs, revitalize commercial corridors and make neighborhoods more attractive for investment. For families in Miller County, that could mean more job opportunities, better schools and a stronger tax base to fund essential services.
Bipartisan endorsement reflects community priorities
Both party chairs emphasize that the issue transcends partisan labels. “This is not a Republican or Democratic question—it’s an Arkansas question,” they wrote. Their joint statement underscores a shared commitment to the future of Miller County and the broader Texarkana region.
The endorsement also highlights that local leaders on both sides of State Line Avenue recognize the importance of having comparable tools to compete for private investment. While Arkansas does not need to become a replica of Texarkana, Texas, having the ability to offer targeted incentives could level the playing field.
What voters need to know
Issue 3 will appear on the November 2026 ballot. Voters will be asked whether to amend the state constitution to permit the creation of economic‑development districts and related financing mechanisms. The measure requires a simple majority to pass.
Local officials plan to hold informational sessions and distribute voter guides to ensure residents understand the potential benefits and limitations of the proposal. As the election approaches, community groups are encouraged to weigh in and share their perspectives.
In a region where families, businesses and faith communities depend on a thriving local economy, the bipartisan call to support Issue 3 reflects a pragmatic approach: give Arkansas municipalities the tools they need to compete, grow and provide for their residents.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
