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Government transparency group sues Arkansas AG over rejection of proposed amendment – Arkansas Advocate

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2 years ago

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Government transparency group sues Arkansas AG over rejection of proposed amendment – Arkansas Advocate


Arkansas government transparency advocates sued Attorney General Tim Griffin on Tuesday, claiming his repeated rejection of a proposed amendment to the state Constitution is a misuse of his powers.

The nonpartisan Arkansas Citizens for Transparency (ACT) has been trying since November to gain Griffin’s approval of language for two proposed ballot measures: an initiated act to alter the state Freedom of Information Act and a constitutional amendment that would create the right to government transparency and restrict the Legislature’s ability to limit it.

Griffin has until Wednesday to approve or reject the third iteration of the proposed amendment and until Thursday to approve or reject the third iteration of the proposed act.

ACT’s complaint to the Arkansas Supreme Court alleges that Griffin’s refusal to certify previous versions of the Arkansas Government Transparency Amendment was based on personal disapproval and an attempt to prevent the group from having enough time to gather signatures in support of the measures. Proposed amendments require 90,704 signatures from registered voters by July 5 to qualify for the November ballot.

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“The power to initiate an amendment is specifically reserved to the people of this state,” ACT wrote in the complaint. “The Attorney General is using his statutory duty to review and approve a ballot title to prevent the people from proposing the text of the amendment they want, denying approval of a popular name and a ballot title unless the text of the proposed amendment is written as directed by him, and using the ballot title process to prevent the petitioner from collecting signatures on the petition.”

The first two amendment proposals said the state Legislature “shall not make a law that diminishes public access to government” without the approval of the people of Arkansas. The third proposal did not include this clause or a definition of the phrase “diminishes public access to government” in response to one of Griffin’s continuing concerns.

It is not the Attorney General’s right to effectively decide the fate of this measure by denying approval of a popular name and ballot title.

– Arkansas Citizens for Transparency, CV-24-40

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Griffin rejected the first draft of the amendment Dec. 11, saying it lacked clarity in its use of specific terms, including “government transparency,” which he claimed had “partisan coloring” and “seems more designed to persuade than inform” potential voters.

ACT submitted a new draft, which included four potential ballot titles, on Dec. 20 with a definition of government transparency as “the government’s obligation to share information with citizens.”

Earlier this month, Griffin rejected the second draft and wrote in his opinion that a definition was not enough because the existing Arkansas Freedom of Information Act does not use the term “government transparency.”

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“The Attorney General again refused to approve and certify any of the proposed popular names and ballot titles submitted by the Petitioner and failed to substitute and certify a more suitable and correct ballot title and popular name,” ACT’s complaint states. “Instead, he issued a condescending and improper opinion chastising the Petitioner for not following his previous opinion in not writing the text of the measure as he wanted it written and not as the Petitioner wanted.”

David Couch, one of the five attorneys on ACT’s seven-member drafting committee, said after the second rejection that a lawsuit was “imminent” and that Griffin’s decisions violated the people’s constitutional rights.

“I am confident in our review and analysis of ballot submissions and look forward to the Arkansas Supreme Court’s review in this case,” Griffin said in a statement through a spokesperson.

ACT lawsuit CV-24-40

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Reasons for rejection

The Arkansas AG’s office had long reviewed ballot titles and popular names until the General Assembly, with support of then-Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, shifted ballot title certification responsibility to the State Board of Election Commissioners in 2019. 

Early last year, Act 194 of 2023 shifted this power back to the attorney general’s office. 

The attorney general may reject a ballot title and popular name if they “would be misleading or designed in such manner that a vote “FOR” the issue would be a vote against the matter or viewpoint that the voter believes himself or herself casting a vote for, or, conversely, that a vote “AGAINST” the issue would be a vote for a viewpoint that the voter is against,” according to Act 194.

This was not the case regarding ACT’s first two submissions of the proposed amendment, the complaint states.

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“Because he did not find the ballot title was designed in a misleading manner, he is required to either approve and certify the ballot title submitted or to substitute and certify a ballot title,” the complaint states.

Griffin cited the “lack of the full text” of the amendment as reasons to reject both proposals. He clarified in his second rejection that this meant an “attempt to incorporate key provisions of the FOIA into the constitution by referencing the FOIA’s key terms” without specifically referencing the law or defining those terms. He also wrote that the proposed amendment did not clarify the impact it would have on state statutes.

ACT wrote in the complaint that these reasons did not merit a rejection of the ballot title and popular name.

“The Attorney General’s rejection of the ballot title and popular name demonstrates that he has either a complete lack of understanding of his role in the initiative process or he is intentionally thwarting the effort of the petitioner to get this amendment approved for the ballot so that the voters of the state can decide its merits,” the complaint states. “It is not the Attorney General’s right to effectively decide the fate of this measure by denying approval of a popular name and ballot title.”

State law allows petitioners to appeal to the Supreme Court if they believe a measure has been unfairly rejected. ACT’s complaint asks the court to “compel the Attorney General to approve or rewrite the popular name and ballot title for each measure.”

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Arkansas

How Texas Longhorns Position Groups Graded Out vs. Arkansas

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9 hours ago

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November 23, 2025

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How Texas Longhorns Position Groups Graded Out vs. Arkansas


The Texas Longhorns desperately needed a much better performance this week than they put together a week ago in their loss against Georgia. And the Longhorns got exactly what they needed after a dominant blowout 52-37 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks, which was the first time Texas scored 50 points in a game since 2019.

Texas won’t have the chance to linger and wait around when it comes to its opponent next weekend, with a battle against bitter rival the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies. The Lone Star Showdown returns to Austin for the first time since the rivalries’ renewal, with the undefeated Aggies looking to punch their ticket to the SEC championship game and the Longhorns trying to salvage any chance at the postseason.

Taking a closer look at the Longhorns after their comfortable win against the Razorbacks, here are this week’s position group grades.

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) throws a pass during the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. / Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Anytime you can be the first player ever to do something in Texas program history, you know it was a good day, as Arch Manning had a career day against the Razorbacks.

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Manning finished the game 18 of 30 passing for a career high 389 yards, four touchdowns, an impressive 91.7 quarterback rating, a rushing touchdown, and a receiving touchdown, becoming the first player in Longhorns history to ever pass, run, and catch a touchdown in a single game.

Manning looked comfortable in the pocket and confident under duress finding deep shots throughout the day, the quarterback is finally playing the way people expected and at the perfect time.

It’s been a constant struggle to find any sort of rhythm and reliable running game that the Longhorns could depend on.

While the Longhorns did get a push on a few carries with leading running back Quintrevion Wisner finishing the game with 67 yards on 15 carries, the Razorbacks running defense had been one of the worst in the SEC, and the Longhorns were not able to take advantage of that fact.

Texas Longhorns wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr

Texas Longhorns wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr (0) reacts after making a reception for a touchdown during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. / Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

After last week’s drop fest in Athens, the Longhorns’ pass catchers shone against the Arkansas secondary, with all of their main receivers having big days. Wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. had his best game as a Longhorn with his three catches for 74 yards, all of which were for touchdowns. Wide receiver Parker Livingstone was a deep threat, averaging 52 yards per reception with two receptions for 104 yards and a passing touchdown on the trick play.

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Receivers Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley also made themselves present, both totaling 81 receiving yards, with Wingo having six receptions and Mosley recording four. Even tight end Jack Endries got involved with two receptions for 49 yards.

The Longhorns’ offensive line has been finding a rhythm throughout the back half of the season, even while giving up three sacks last week in Athens. The protection held up, and on Saturday against the Razorbacks, the unit did more than enough to help out the offense.

For just the third time this season, the Longhorns’ offensive line kept Manning clean by not allowing a single sack throughout the matchup, and in terms of run blocking, the unit cleaned up better than it has, allowing just two tackles-for-loss.

Saturday was not the best performance out of the Longhorns’ defense, giving up a total of 512 yards of offense to the Razorbacks, 324 of the yards through the air and 188 on the ground.

While the Texas defense was able to slow down the Razorbacks’ offense in the second half before running up the score and the Longhorns brought in the backups, the first half was rough. The game started with a long 40-yard rip by the Arkansas running back on the first play from scrimmage. The Texas defense allowed 105 rushing yards just in the first quarter, the first time that happened all season. The first half ended with Arkansas totaling 253 yards of total offense, 157 of those on the ground.

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However, there were bright spots; the Longhorns were able to continue creating turnovers, with an interception by Jelani McDonald that was cashed into points by the offense, and then a sack-fumble from Colin Simmons turned into a fumble return for a touchdown by Liona Lefau.

After what was a disastrous showing of special teams play a week ago, it was back to normal for the Longhorns’ special teams unit.

Kicker Mason Shipley was perfect, converting all of his kicks: one 44-yard field goal and then all seven of his extra points. Punter Jack Bouwmeester continued being a weapon with his three punts netting 109 yards and two of which were downed inside the opposing team’s 20-yard line. And return man Ryan Niblett had just one opportunity, returning a kickoff for 19 yards.

While no game-changing plays came on the third phase of the game, an outing with no mistakes on special teams will be very much welcomed after last week’s game.



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No. 10 Texas looks to rebound against Arkansas after tough loss to Georgia

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1 day ago

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November 22, 2025

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No. 10 Texas looks to rebound against Arkansas after tough loss to Georgia


Arkansas (2-8) at No. 10 Texas (7-3), Nov. 22 at 3:30 p.m. EST.

How to watch: ABC

Key stats

Texas Offense

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Overall: 370.7 yards per game (80th in FBS)

Passing: 246.6 yards per game (50th)

Rushing: 124.1 yards per game (103rd)

Scoring: 27.6 points per game (68th)

Texas Defense

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Overall: 318.3 yards per game (23rd in FBS)

Passing: 235.1 yards per game (92nd)

Rushing: 83.2 yards per game (6th)

Scoring: 18.3 points per game (15th)

Arkansas Offense

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Overall: 470.0 yards per game (13th in FBS)

Passing: 264.6 yards per game (33rd)

Rushing: 205.4 yards per game (18th)

Scoring: 34.1 points per game (25th)

Arkansas Defense

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Overall: 426.5 yards per game (123rd in FBS)

Passing: 245.3 yards per game (108th)

Rushing: 181.2 yards per game (115th)

Scoring: 32.3 points per game (121st)

Texas ranks 25th in FBS in defensive third down percentage, allowing opponents to convert on 33.8% of third downs.

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Arkansas is 129th in the FBS with a -10 turnover margin, compared to Texas’ 12th-ranked +8 margin.

Texas ranks 119th in the FBS with 65.3 penalty yards per game.

Arkansas ranks 114th in FBS in red zone defense, allowing opponents to score on % of trips.

Team leaders

Texas

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Passing: Arch Manning, 2,374 yards, 19 TDs, 7 INTs, 62.7 completion percentage

Rushing: Quintrevion Wisner, 375 yards on 97 carries, 3 TDs

Receiving: Ryan Wingo, 655 yards on 40 catches, 6 TDs

Arkansas

Passing: Taylen Green, 2,537 yards, 19 TDs, 10 INTs, 62.1 completion percentage

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Rushing: Mike Washington, 913 yards on 140 carries, 7 TDs

Receiving: O’Mega Blake, 678 yards on 51 catches, 4 TDs

Last game

Texas fell to Georgia 35-10 on Saturday, Nov. 15. Manning led Texas with 251 yards on 27-of-43 passing (62.8%) for one touchdown and one interception. Wisner had 37 rushing yards on nine carries, adding two receptions for 10 yards. DeAndre Moore Jr. recorded 75 yards on five catches.

Arkansas lost 23-22 to LSU on Saturday, Nov. 15. Green passed for 165 yards on 11-of-19 attempts (57.9%) with no touchdowns and two interceptions. He also carried the ball 17 times for 70 yards and one rushing touchdown. Washington had 85 rushing yards on 13 carries and one touchdown, adding one reception for six yards. Raylen Sharpe put up 65 yards on four catches.

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Next game

Texas hosts No. 3 Texas A&M on Nov. 28. Arkansas hosts Missouri on Nov. 29.



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#21 Arkansas Cruises Past Jackson State

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2 days ago

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November 22, 2025

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#21 Arkansas Cruises Past Jackson State


FAYETTEVILLE – Malique Ewin scored 21 points, making 8-of-9 from the field – including his first career 3-pointer – and 4-of-4 from the line, while Karter Knox posted his second double-double of the season, with 17 points and 10 rebounds, to lead the 21st-ranked Razorbacks to a 115-61 victory over Jackson State Friday night at Bud Walton Arena.

Arkansas also got outstanding performances from D.J. Wagner (16 points on 6-of-6 shooting with seven assists) and Billy Richmond III (14 points with three highlight-reel dunks in the first half. Meleek Thomas added 13 points while Darius Acuff Jr. and Isaia Sealy each scored 10 points.

Arkansas put the game out of reach with a 24-0 run that spanned the end of the first half into the start of the second. The Hogs also had a 22-6 run midway through the second half to lead 89-33 with 9:50 left.

The Razorbacks shot 63.9% from the field for the game – 74.2% in the second half – thanks to a season-high 16 dunks. (Arkansas entered the game with 24 dunks in the first five games combined.)

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Ewin had five of the 16 dunks and the senior made his first career 3-pointer. (He is now 1-of-2 from deep for his career.) Richmond and Knox each added three dunks.

Tamarion Hoover led Jackson State with 19 points, making 4-of-9 from 3-point range.

Up next, Arkansas will travel to Chicago to face #5 Duke for the CBS Thanksgiving Classic on Thursday (Nov. 27). Tipoff at the United Center is set for 7 pm (CT), and the game will be televised on CBS.

FIRST HALF: ARK: 47 – JSU: 19

  • Arkansas went on a 14-2 run to race out to a 22-9 lead. Jackson State was 1-of-9 from the field over the stretch.
  • After Jackson State made a 3-pointer to cut their deficit to 12 (31-19), Arkansas closed the half on a 16-0 run to lead 47-19. The run started before the Tigers’ triple and was a 20-3 run over the final 6:43.
  • Arkansas shot 53% from the field while holding Jackson State to 21% shooting.
  • Jackson State had nine turnovers thanks to seven Arkansas steals.
  • Billy Richmond III led Arkansas with 10 points, including three dunks.
  • The last time Arkansas held an opponent to fewer than 20 points in the first half was UMES last season (11/26/24) with 15.

SECOND HALF: ARK: 68 – JSU: 42

  • Arkansas opened the second half on an 18-4 run, including an 8-0 spurt at the start of the frame.
  • From the 15-minute mark to the 9:29 mark, Arkansas out-scored the Tigers 22-6.
  • Arkansas had zero turnovers in the second half with 14 assists. Arkansas forced 11 second-half turnovers.
  • Ewin scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half. He was 7-of-8 from the field.
  • Arkansas scored 68 points in the second half. The last time it scored at least 60 in a half was getting 60 in the first half versus Maryland-Eastern Shore last season (11/26/24).

NOTES:

  • Arkansas’ starting lineup was Darius Acuff Jr., D.J. Wagner, Karter Knox, Trevon Brazile and Nick Pringle. It was the first time for this starting lineup and the fourth starting lineup overall.
  • JSU’s Dorian McMillian scored the game’s first points, a layup at 18:23. Nick Pringle scored Arkansas’s first points with two free throws at 18:05.
  • Arkansas’s first subs were Meleek Thomas and Billy Richmond III.
  • Arkansas is 13-0 all-time versus Jackson State.
  • Arkansas improves to 142-6 all-time when scoring at least 100 points. Coach Calipari is 48-0 all-time when scoring at least 100 points.
  • Coach Cal is now 18 wins shy of 900 as head coach of a Division I program.
  • Arkansas entered the game 8th in the NCAA in fastbreak points (23.6 ppg). The Hogs had 34 fastbreak points, compared to four by the Tigers. The 34 fastbreak points is the most in a game since the stat has been tracked (2011-12) with the previous high being 32 vs Southern this year and UCA in 2021. (HogStats.com)

For more­­ information on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on X, Instagram and Facebook.

 

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