Arkansas House Report: Raises, firearms and healthcare in the mix
by January 24, 2011 8:31 am 56 views
Editor’s note: Rep. Leslee Milam-Post, D-Ozark, provided the following commentary on the previous week of the 88th Arkansas General Assembly.
Though it was a short week, with observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday on Monday and old man winter on Friday, the legislative session has swung into full gear at the State Capitol.
In committee action this week, a bill that would have allowed non-licensed practitioners to perform certain equine medical procedures (a necessary grinding down of horses teeth so they can eat easier) failed in the House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee, after much debate.
On Wednesday, members of the Joint Budget Committee voted to remove from appropriations a bill that funds all three branches of government and a provision that would have given judges and prosecutors a cost-of-living raise that reduces the $36 million funding bill by $475,000.
I found myself with mixed emotions on this one. Of course, I am thrilled to find cuts in our state budget. However, our judges and prosecutors certainly earn their keep and have not received a raise in a very long time, as other state employees have. The full House will vote on the measure Monday.
What to watch for this upcoming week:
• HB1051 The Defense Carry Restoration Act of Open Firearms. I anticipate this being a hot topic in committee and even more so if it makes it to the floor.
• Also, we should prepare ourselves for our own state debate over healthcare. My colleague Rep. David Meeks has crafted HB1053 the “Freedom of Choice in Healthcare for All Arkansans Act.” Well, Representatives Meeks, try telling that to the 836,000 (non-elderly) Arkansans that have NO healthcare. What choice do they get?
In closing, I was so pleased and happy to be a co-sponsor of Rep. Tracy Penartz’s House Resolution to honor the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Marshals Service Museum that is planned to be built in Fort Smith. The Resolution passed unanimously!
You can now watch most committees and House proceedings via live stream at the Arkansas House website.
As always, please contact me at with questions or concerns at [email protected]