Well, sure, the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce will lead the effort to oppose the Sheffield Nelson-led initiative to move the gas severance tax in Arkansas to a level charged in neighboring states.

Nelson, whose ballot title and name for the proposed initiated act were certified by the attorney general’s office earlier this year, said Monday that the chamber’s opposition shows “they have been bought and paid for (by the natural gas industry).”

“It is regrettable that the Arkansas State Chamber and Associated Industries of Arkansas have chosen to line up with the multi-billion dollar natural gas companies on the severance tax issue,” he said.

He noted that the business association recently announced support for proposed temporary half-cent sales tax increase to finance a $1.8 billion bond issue to build a statewide four-lane system connecting all parts of the state.