In large part because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the state Human Services Department has a backlog of applications for Medicaid.
Weekly UpdatesThe legislature completed a three-day special session in which it passed reductions in state income taxes that will save Arkansas families and businesses almost $500 million a year when they take effect.
Weekly UpdatesThe governor presented a balanced budget proposal to the legislature for next fiscal year. It would authorize about $5.8 billion next year in spending from the state’s general revenue fund, about three percent more than this year.
Weekly UpdatesState agencies have experienced the same problems as many companies with difficulty hiring entry-level employees. Several agencies have contacted the state Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to report a difficulties attracting applicants for available positions. OPM put together a proposal that allows for higher entry-level salaries for all state agencies and presented it to legislators in June.
Weekly UpdatesLegislators and other elected officials are gathering gifts for children in state custody, which they will present during a “Christmas in the Capitol” celebration at noon on December 6 in the Old Supreme Court Room of the State Capitol.
News ReleasesIn the past couple of years Arkansas has made a massive financial commitment to expanding broadband access to all parts of state.
So far $275 million has been approved, and the Legislative Council is set to increase that investment to $400 million when it considers an additional $125 million in broadband proposals at its November meeting.
Weekly UpdatesThe state is helping people who have trouble paying their rent because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Weekly UpdatesIn a settlement of a major lawsuit, pharmaceutical manufacturers who make and market opioids will pay $216 million to Arkansas cities, counties and state government.
Weekly UpdatesBusiness activity was severely affected by the pandemic last year across most areas of the economic spectrum, from the largest corporations to small businesses and individual wage earners. In spite of the challenges created by the pandemic, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission signed incentive agreements for 48 projects that will create or preserve 2,917 jobs in the state. The average wage of those jobs is $22.10 an hour.
Weekly UpdatesStatement from Senator Missy Irvin, chair of the Senate Education Committee:
“I am so pleased to learn that all the parties have come to an agreement that will allow Mr. Nick Smith, Jr. the eligibility to play basketball during his senior year of high school, and I commend his parents for being strong advocates for their son.”
News ReleasesState government will collect more in tax revenue this year than previously estimated, according to a revised forecast by the Department of Finance and Administration.
Weekly UpdatesThe market for workers’ compensation insurance remains competitive in Arkansas, thanks to efforts by the legislature to hold down rates.
Weekly UpdatesIn an extension of this year’s regular session the legislature drew new boundaries for the four Congressional districts in Arkansas, and approved exemptions for workers at companies that require staff to be vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus.
Weekly UpdatesThe legislature reconvened to draw new boundaries for the four Congressional districts in Arkansas, and to consider responses to federal vaccination mandates.
Weekly UpdatesAt the beginning of this year, there were more than 2,000 licensed child care programs in Arkansas. They had slots for 194,000 children.
By mid-April, about half the facilities had closed. Although most have been able to re-open, as of early October at least 20 had closed permanently
Weekly UpdatesEnrollment has dropped at many state-supported colleges and universities because of disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Weekly UpdatesThe legislature is preparing to convene again on September 29, to redraw boundaries of the four Congressional districts in Arkansas.
Weekly UpdatesArkansas legislators continue to support a statewide expansion of broadband service as quickly as possible, especially in areas where there is no Internet at all and in places where the technology is obsolete.
Weekly UpdatesA federal appeals court has ruled in favor of the state Education Department, and against four south Arkansas school districts that want to be exempt from the state school choice law.
Weekly UpdatesThe number of people who live in Arkansas increased by about 95,600 over the past 10 years, a growth rate of 3.3 percent that brought the state’s population to more than three million people.
Weekly UpdatesThe Arkansas Legislative Council approved a funding request of more than $245 million to help hospitals and nursing homes recruit and retain staff, and to cope with extraordinary expenses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The money comes from a massive federal act known as the American Rescue Plan.
Weekly Updates(PDF of Joint Statement) NEWS RELEASE JOINT STATEMENT FROM SENATE PRO TEMPORE HICKEY AND HOUSE SPEAKER SHEPHERD Little Rock, Arkansas (August 13, 2021) – Arkansas Senate Pro Tempore Jimmy Hickey and Arkansas House Speaker Matthew Shepherd released the following statement Friday afternoon regarding McClane, et al v. State of Arkansas, et al : “Today we jointly […]
News ReleasesLegislators gathered at the Capitol in Little Rock to affirm the governor’s declaration of a public health emergency for 60 days.
Weekly UpdatesAct 651 of 2021 mandates that when a physician prescribes opioids, the physician must also prescribe naloxone, a drug that can quickly reverse the effects of an overdose.
Weekly UpdatesThis year computer and electronic equipment will be included in the Arkansas sales tax holiday. Every year the sales tax holiday is the first weekend in August. This year it will be Saturday, August 7, and Sunday, August 8.
Weekly UpdatesIn the regular session of 2021 the legislature approved at least 25 new election laws that will go into effect on July 28. Some of the new laws will affect poll workers, county election commissioners and county clerks’ office. Others will affect voters the next time they cast a ballot.
Weekly UpdatesA bipartisan group of 14 senators have requested that the CARES Act Steering Committee allocate $20 million in federal relief funding for senior citizens centers across Arkansas.
Weekly UpdatesThe state Board of Education has approved another round of plans submitted by Arkansas school districts that want the option of offering online classes in the fall.
At a special meeting, the Board approved 60 applications from school districts and charter schools.
Weekly UpdatesAs the Arkansas tourism industry recovers from the economic impacts of the pandemic, the governor announced the creation of a new Office of Outdoor Recreation. It will be in the state Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, and over the summer the department will hire a director for the office to coordinate and promote stewardship of the outdoors in Arkansas.
Weekly UpdatesThe Legislative Council approved spending $48.5 million in federal relief money to fund a grant program that will help tourism-related businesses adversely affected by the pandemic. The grants will be available to small businesses that hire up to 250 full-time employees.
Weekly UpdatesThe state will commit $17 million to extending a runway at the Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith. The Air Force announced it would locate a new training center for pilots who fly F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon jets.
Weekly UpdatesThe state is on pace to have a record surplus of more than $1 billion, which is a strong indicator that the Arkansas economy is recovering from the negative effects of the pandemic.
Weekly UpdatesState and local governments are preparing to receive a large infusion of federal aid, under the American Rescue Plan of 2021. Schools and universities in Arkansas also are receiving federal funds. The amount of federal funding is unprecedented. State government will get $1.57 billion. The 75 counties in Arkansas will get $586 million. Arkansas cities will get about $425 million. Each city’s allocation will depend on its population. Arkansas schools are set to receive $1.25 billion. Universities and colleges will receive $363 million.
Weekly UpdatesThe state is now offering help to low-income families who have fallen behind on their rent because of financial problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Weekly UpdatesThe Arkansas legislature enacted several new pro-life laws during the 2021 regular session.
Weekly UpdatesThe legislature referred three proposed constitutional amendments to Arkansas voters. In next year’s statewide general election in November, voters will decide whether or not the three amendments are written into the state Constitution.
Weekly UpdatesThe legislature brought the 2021 regular session to a close with a dramatic midnight meeting to approve a Sovereignty Act, which declares new federal laws invalid if they infringe on the right to bear arms.
Weekly UpdatesLawmakers completed work on tax cuts and prioritized spending by state agencies.
Weekly UpdatesThe legislature has enacted numerous reforms to Arkansas election laws. The Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs reviews all proposed legislation that address elections. So far this session, the committee has received 49 bills specifically affecting polling places, absentee ballots, voter fraud and the handling of elections.
Weekly UpdatesArkansas became the first state in the nation to prohibit physicians from performing gender transition procedures on minors, either through surgery or hormone therapy.
Weekly UpdatesThe legislature has approved a broad reform of the laws governing water providers, a measure that sponsors have been working on for the past four years.
Weekly UpdatesThe legislature voted to extend the 2021 session until April 30, and then to recess for an extended period rather than to adjourn.
Weekly UpdatesThe Senate has approved legislation to grant to certified nurse practitioners full and independent practice authority. The nurses would need about three years, or 6,240 hours, of practice under a collaborative agreement with a physician in order to earn the right to practice independently.
Weekly UpdatesThe Senate passed a new version of the Medicaid expansion program, which is one of the most important bills of this year’s session because of the number of people it benefits and the amount of money that it generates in Arkansas.
Weekly UpdatesBoth chambers of the legislature have approved a bill that prohibits abortions, except if necessary to save the mother’s life in a medical emergency.
Weekly UpdatesThe legislature has approved a broad tax relief measure for businesses that were affected by the pandemic.
House Bill 1361 exempts income that people and businesses received through numerous disaster relief programs, such as the popular Paycheck Protection Program.
Weekly UpdatesBusinesses would not be penalized by state regulators for violating Covid-19 restrictions because of the behavior of their customers, under legislation passed by the Arkansas Senate.
Weekly Updateshe deadline for legislators to file proposed constitutional amendments has passed, and the Senate and House Committees on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs will begin narrowing the list that will be placed on the next general election ballot.
Weekly UpdatesThe Senate has voted to exempt last year’s unemployment benefits from state income taxes, to help people who lost their jobs because of the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Weekly UpdatesThe legislature has begun budget hearings, in preparation for the regular session that begins in January.
Weekly UpdatesA Senate committee advanced legislation that protects the rights of people with disabilities who need an organ transplant. Senate Bill 155 also is known as Lila’s Law, after a girl with Down syndrome who in 2018 was denied a potential heart transplant.
Weekly UpdatesThe Senate passed legislation known as the “Stand Your Ground” bill, which would allow someone to use deadly force to defend themselves against an aggressor.
Weekly UpdatesLegislative Black Caucus Choose Officers for 2021-2022
News ReleasesThe 93rd General Assembly convened with a traditional day of swearing in ceremonies for new members, followed by the governor’s speech in a joint session of the legislature. Then lawmakers immediately got down to business.
Weekly UpdatesWhen the Arkansas legislature convenes the 2021 regular session, the first major challenge on the agenda will be ensuring that the public can still safely participate in the democratic process.
Weekly UpdatesWhen the legislature convenes in regular session at noon on Monday, January 11, the individuals in the Senate will bring a wide variety of real-world experience to the task.
Weekly Updates