Texarkana legislator concerned about water fluoridation in his town

Arkansas Rep. Steve Harrelson, D-Texarkana, said he voted for a bill mandating the use of fluoridation in cities with water systems that serve 5,000 or more customers believing Texarkana would not be affected. "Before the bill was presented, I was assured by the Health Department that the state legislature didn't have jurisdiction over Texarkana" because the water facilities serving the Arkansas side are located in Texarkana, Texas, he said. Harrelson said the health department has continued to assure him of that. However, when he asked the bill's sponsor, Rep. Tommy Roebuck, D-Arkadelphia, about Texarkana, he was told it was not clear how Texarkana would be affected. But, "just to be on the safe side," Harrelson said he was going to offer up an amendment that would exempt Texarkana from being required to use fluoridation in their water system. He said he voted for the bill because he is in favor of promoting the public's health. The bill will next go before the Senate's Public Health Committee.