#54 Clarke Tucker, AR state senator and attorney, 10-6-23, Part 2: OTOH episode 54

In part 2 of our interview with Clarke Tucker, Glen & April hear Clarke's account of recent work in the 2023 legislative session, including being able to get some long-sought measures in criminal justice reform included in a bill that became law. He describes its benefit in reducing recidivism and yet notes the many ways that some of that recent legislation is likely to prove counterproductive, failing to actually make Arkansans safer. He worries about the strong divisiveness between the parties in Arkansas and the country. Clarke provides an in-depth explanation of the factors that are contributing to or even worsening the current high level of tribalism and polarization, along with how certain democratic reforms that he feels would help reduce this problem. This conviction has led him to regularly file legislation that  would help reduce this division by changing the primary system, but he has not yet been able to get enough support for its passage.  However, he sees some hope for more bipartisan work recently in a couple of key areas, where persons across the political spectrum have been collaborating to support measures that would improve education in Arkansas and would strengthen and protect government transparency. He concludes with a humorous story of an experience he had while going door to door to garner support for his re-election.