The governor presented a balanced budget proposal to the legislature for next fiscal year. It would authorize about $5.8 billion next year in spending from the state’s general revenue fund, about three percent more than this year.

The state is helping people who have trouble paying their rent because of the coronavirus pandemic.

At the beginning of this year, there were more than 2,000 licensed child care programs in Arkansas. They had slots for 194,000 children.

By mid-April, about half the facilities had closed. Although most have been able to re-open, as of early October at least 20 had closed permanently

The Legislative Council approved spending $48.5 million in federal relief money to fund a grant program that will help tourism-related businesses adversely affected by the pandemic. The grants will be available to small businesses that hire up to 250 full-time employees.

Latest News on Efforts to Contain the Spread of the Coronavirus

A bipartisan group of 14 senators have requested that the CARES Act Steering Committee allocate $20 million in federal relief funding for senior citizens centers across Arkansas.

The Arkansas Ready for Business Grant Program has been established by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and is designed to assist businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr. was elected President Pro Tempore of the Arkansas Senate for the 93^rd General Assembly in 2021 and 2022. 

Senate Information Office: 501-682-5954

LITTLE ROCK – Health Department officials will join members of the legislative Committees on Public Health, Welfare and Labor for a press conference about the state’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, at 1 p.m. Monday, March 9, in the Old Supreme Court Room of the state Capitol.

Senator Missy Irvin of Mountain View is chair of the Senate Committee on Public Health, and Representative Jack Ladyman of Jonesboro of the House committee will be available, as will Dr. Nathaniel Smith, the state Secretary of Health.

They will outline the steps that state government is taking to keep the public updated and how to find the most recent information. Also, they will outline what protocol businesses should follow when staff need time off from work.