| Updated: 3/17 10:14 am |
Published: 3/17 10:10 am |
LITTLE ROCK, AR - An online poll designed to gauge the public's interest in seeing a football game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and Arkansas State Red Wolves closed with a narrow victory for folks wanting to see the gridiron showdown. The poll was created by a lawmaker hoping to mandate the one-time game via legislation.
Those wanting to see the game took 51.8 percent of the vote while those against the contest earned 48.2 percent of the vote.
The poll also asked users which local charity should benefit from the profits of the game. Arkansas Children's Hospital overwhelmingly took that vote earning 71 percent.
The poll closed at midnight early Sunday.
The sponsor of the bill, Andy Mayberry (R-Hensley), wants the game to be held at War Memorial and at least $250,000 would be donated to charity. However, that's unlikely to happen.
House Speaker Davy Carter moved the bill late last week from Education to the Rules committee, one he has a lot of influence over, it's not going to matter.
"I just think that's the appropriate committee for the bill to be in...I'm not in favor of mandating legislation for a ballgame," Carter said.
"This is the legislative process and things like that happen," Mayberry replied.
When asked about the likelihood of the committee advancing the bill, Carter replied, "I would say it's pretty unlikely."
