Senate News

Arkansas to Expand Medicaid Services for Pregnant Women

Arkansas has begun the process of expanding Medicaid services so that more pregnant women can qualify for the government health care program.

Legislature Cuts Income Taxes for Millions of Arkansans

The legislature concluded a quick, three-day special session after approving income tax cuts that will save 1.6 million Arkansas taxpayers about $500 million.

Legislature Creates $50 Million Grant Program for School Safety Upgrades

When it meets in special session the legislature will consider a $50 million grant program for school safety measures.

Water Systems Ask for Access to Relief Funding

The joint Senate and House Committees on City, County and Local Affairs met to explore methods of funding of much-needed improvements to water and sewer systems across Arkansas.

Sales Tax Holiday Set for August 6 and 7

Every year the sales tax holiday is the first weekend in August. This year it will be Saturday, August 6, and Sunday, August 7.

Proposed Constitutional Amendments Would Legalize Recreational Marijuana and Block Casino in Pope County

Two interest groups submitted petitions to the Secretary of State seeking to have two proposed constitutional amendments placed on the November general election ballot.

One would legalize marijuana and the other would remove Pope County as a possible site for a gambling casino.

Governor to Call Special Session in August for Income Tax Reductions

The governor announced that he would call the legislature into special session on August 8 to consider income tax cuts that would save Arkansas families and businesses almost $700 million when they take effect.

Arkansas’s Citizen Legislature to Convene 2021 Regular Session

When 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.

Children and Family Services Division Working to Reduce Case Loads

When people call the state hotline to report suspected child abuse or neglect, about 80 percent are assigned to the Division of Children and Family Services. The other 20 percent are considered more serious, and are assigned to the State Police, which has a Division of Crimes Against Children. The Division has 428 family services workers. Their average caseload in March was 23.3, which is down from 25.5 last October. The state’s goal is to bring it below 20.

Statement of Senator Jason Rapert regarding Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade

Statement of Senator Jason Rapert regarding Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade