UPDATE AUGUST 12, 2022 Governor Asa Hutchinson released his weekly address on Friday afternoon, touting tax cuts and school safety outcomes from the August Special Session of the Legislature. His statement follows: Today I’d like to talk about the excellent position our state is in to provide additional financial relief for Arkansans. In December, we […]
Ethics Committee Recommends Stripping Chairships & Expenses from Two Senators
Two Arkansas Senators – one with Saline County in his district – could be stripped of committee leadership and more, after a legislative investigation. Senator Alan Clark of Lonsdale (Dist. 13) and Senator Mark Johnson of Ferndale (Dist. 17), both Republicans, admit that Clark didn’t go to a Boys State meeting on June 3, 2022. […]
Arkansas Bills Raise Salaries for State and Local Law Enforcement, Corrections
Law enforcement leaders and legislators gathered in the second-floor rotunda at the state capitol today as Governor Asa Hutchinson signed a bill that grants one-time stipends of up to $5,000 to police and probation and parole officers, and a second bill that increases the salary for Arkansas state troopers and other certified law enforcement officers […]
Governor Hutchinson Supports Prison Expansion, Presents COVID-19 Numbers in Weekly
At his weekly news briefing Thursday, February 10, 2022, Governor Asa Hutchinson addressed the issue of prison space in Arkansas and the work the Arkansas Department of Corrections will be doing to address issues. He said that over the past two years the Department of Corrections had seen a decline in prison population but that […]
Over 200K at-home Covid test kits to be distributed; Governor requesting funds for hospital beds also
In December, Governor Hutchinson directed the Arkansas Department of Health to acquire 1.5 million rapid at-home tests to be available for free to Arkansans, according to a statement from the Governor’s office. The State now has received the first shipment of 211,000 at-home testing kits. The process of delivering those to the respective distribution locations […]
State Legislators Honor Hornets Team for Championship 4-Peat
The Arkansas General Assembly invited the 2021 Bryant Hornets Football Team to the State Capitol Thursday morning to be recognized for the amazing feat of a 4-peat… four consecutive state championship wins in a row. Former State Senator and Bryant Alumnus Shane Broadway escorted the team through the building. Governor Asa Hutchinson congratulated the team […]
Video: State Senators Elliott and Hendren speak about their bipartisan efforts at Bryant luncheon
Two politicians from different parties in the Arkansas Legislature have made it their goal to press for more bipartisan efforts, with some failures and some successes. Arkansas State Senators Joyce Elliott, a Democrat, and Jim Hendren, an Independent who recently left the Republican party, spoke in tandem about their efforts, at the April 22nd, meeting […]
AEDC passes resolution in support of hate crimes legislation in Arkansas
Members of the Arkansas Economic Development Council, a commission composed of business leaders and economic development advisers who represent each region of the state, today passed a resolution to express support for hate crimes legislation to provide enhanced penalties for acts of violence committed due to a victim’s race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, ancestry, service […]
See the full video and transcript of Gov Hutchinson’s State of the State Address and final welcome of General Assembly
Governor Asa Hutchinson delivered the State of the State Address to the Members of the 93rd General Assembly Tuesday morning. He welcomed new and repeat legislators for the 93rd General Assembly, he spoke of work to be done, past successes, where we are in the budget, and the national climate, among other things. See below […]
Governor Calls for Special Legislative Session to Adjust Budget for COVID-19
Governor Asa Hutchinson today issued the official call to legislators for an Extraordinary Session of the 92nd General Assembly to convene at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2020. See the official proclamation below. “I have called this special session of the General Assembly to ask legislators to cover the projected loss in state revenue,” […]