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Ahead of a special session the governor is expected to call later this week, Arkansas lawmakers heard from some of the state’s top health officials on Monday (Aug. 2). During…
by - June 8, 2021 6:49 pm
The state of Arkansas is an estimated $70 million short related to public school employees’ benefits for the year 2022. During a State Board of Finance meeting on Tuesday (June…
by - May 17, 2021 6:33 pm
Additional help is available for Arkansas renters who have lost jobs or are struggling financially due to the pandemic. The Arkansas Department of Human Services launched the Arkansas Rent Relief…
by - April 5, 2021 6:16 pm
A measure being presented as an alternative to the previously filed hate crimes legislation passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday (April 5). SB 622 creates an “aggravating circumstance” provision…
by - March 31, 2021 6:00 pm
Arkansas lawmakers want to make it more difficult for scammers who target senior citizens. A bill filed this week would create a reporting system that involves financial institutions and investigative…
by - March 17, 2021 5:32 pm
A bill aimed at making prescription drugs more affordable passed unanimously out of the House Insurance and Commerce Committee on Wednesday (March 17). HB 1569 would establish the Arkansas Fairness…
by - March 17, 2021 4:15 pm
A bill that would create a minimum habitability standard for renters in Arkansas passed out of the House Insurance and Commerce Committee on Wednesday (March 17). Prior to the vote,…
by - March 10, 2021 6:37 pm
A renters’ rights bill has been tabled to next week after the House Insurance & Commerce Committee on Wednesday (March 10) ran out of time to continue the debate. Supporters…
by - March 8, 2021 6:04 pm
The Arkansas National Guard is being called upon to help process Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims. On Monday (March 8), the director of the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services, Dr. Charisse…
by - February 22, 2021 5:42 pm
A bill that would ban nearly all abortions in Arkansas advanced through the Senate on Monday (Feb. 22) despite pleas for an amendment from GOP lawmakers who wanted exemptions for…
by - February 18, 2021 6:32 pm
Sen. Jim Hendren’s announcement to leave the Republican party and serve as an independent was met with a lack of enthusiasm from most GOP officials as the day unfolded Thursday…
by - February 10, 2021 6:21 pm
A bill to abolish abortions in Arkansas sailed through the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on Wednesday (Feb. 10). SB 6, the Arkansas Unborn Child Protection Act, would…
by - February 9, 2021 1:26 pm
The proposal to restrict the teaching of the 1619 Project in Arkansas public schools failed on a voice-vote in a House committee Tuesday (Feb. 9). Following a two-hour debate and…
by - February 3, 2021 5:13 pm
Serving alcohol on Christmas Day in Arkansas was voted down in committee on Wednesday (Feb. 3), but allowing alcohol deliveries and creating entertainment districts in dry counties passed. HB 1341…
by - February 2, 2021 8:07 pm
Following a more than three-hour long debate, members of the House Judiciary Committee voted Tuesday (Feb. 2) against SB 24 – a proposal to end the duty to retreat when…
by - January 21, 2021 6:14 pm
A bill to ban public schools from teaching or promoting division or social justice for certain groups of people is already causing controversy in the 93rd General Assembly. The bill’s…
by - January 13, 2021 7:42 pm
A ‘Stand your Ground’ bill has passed its first hurdle after a Senate committee passed the measure by a 5-2 vote on Wednesday (Jan. 13). The first bill to be…
by - January 13, 2021 7:34 am
While much of a legislative session can focus on the mundane business of running state government – such as budget bills and tax policy – hot button social issues tend…
by - November 17, 2020 7:15 pm
Tax reform, remote learning, and alternatives to prison were just a few of the 2021 legislative topics discussed on Tuesday (Nov. 17) at the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families’…
by - August 29, 2020 8:00 pm
Arkansas has identified 1,180 human trafficking victims as part of 383 cases reported since 2007. But Arkansas has had only three federal convictions and one state conviction in the previous…
