New Legislators Preparing For January Session

A group of new state legislators said this week they have learned a lot during a weeklong freshmen orientation meeting at the state Capitol in Little Rock.

Reps.-elect Dwight Tosh and Dan Sullivan, both Republicans from Jonesboro, and Rep.-elect Michael John Gray, D-Augusta, have been in Little Rock since Sunday with 37 other new House colleagues, learning the ropes about serving in the state House.

Tosh said the group attended mock committee meetings Tuesday and spent Wednesday learning to present bills on the House floor. They’ve also been schooled on ethics rules and lobbyist practices. On Thursday, the group interacted with members of the media, including Talk Business & Politics‘ Roby Brock.

While hot-button issues like the Private Option and taxes were not discussed, Sullivan said the meetings have given House members an opportunity to meet one another on a personal level.

“It has given us a chance to sit down and talk,” Sullivan, a former school administrator who now works as the CEO of a children’s health services company, said.

Gray said the meetings have given the new lawmakers a chance to learn about their colleagues.

“It will give 40 new folks the opportunity to interact and the opportunity to go through this together,” Gray said.

Both Tosh and Sullivan said their work experience will likely be seen in their committee assignments.

Sullivan will serve on Public Health, Welfare and Labor; Aging, Children, Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs; and first alternate on the Joint Budget Committee, while Tosh will serve on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs; Judiciary; and the Joint Legislative Audit committees.

Tosh, who retired after a 37-year career with the Arkansas State Police, said the committees will keep him busy.

“It will be a learning experience, even though I spent 37 years with the state police. I understand the impact of the law on our state and its citizens,” Tosh said. “It will definitely be hard work.”

Gray, who will serve on the Education and City, County and Local Affairs committees, said his district is a rural district where issues like education, prisons and county jails are extremely important.

“Luckily, we will have the wealth of knowledge (from returning legislators). I know they will be here to help,” Gray said.

PRAISE FOR THE SPEAKER-ELECT
Sullivan credited House Speaker Jeremy Gillam, R-Judsonia, with helping to make the transition smooth.

“It has been wonderful. The leadership has been well prepared. You can tell they spent a lot of time and effort, Jeremy and the leadership team,” Sullivan said, noting House members were given a lot of print outs to help understand procedure.

Gray, who ran unopposed in May in the Democratic primary and unopposed in November, echoed Sullivan’s statement.

“They have been absolutely helpful. The leadership has done a good job,” Gray said.

Republicans will have a 64-36 majority in the state House come January. There has also been a strong effort to build cohesiveness among the Republican caucus, Sullivan said.

Tosh said the opportunity to go from private citizen to lawmaker has been awe-inspiring.

“It has been overwhelming to sit in the chairs of the people that have kept our government going for so many years,” Tosh said. “I grew up picking cotton, had a career with the Arkansas State Police, then got involved in politics. I will also be grateful to the people.”