The legislature convened in special session to address potential revenue shortfalls, resulting from the sudden economic downturn caused by the outbreak of the coronavirus.

To cushion the financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak on working families, the state has streamlined the process of applying for unemployment insurance.

Pay raises have been proposed for direct care employees at the state’s five centers for people with multiple disabilities.

The legislature has begun budget hearings in preparation for the 2020 Fiscal Session, which convenes on April 8 and is scheduled to last a month.

Latest News on Efforts to Contain the Spread of the Coronavirus

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.

Vaping would be restricted just as smoking cigarettes is restricted, it would be taxed like tobacco products and its marketing to minors would be prohibited under legislation drafted by Senator Jim Hendren of Gravette, the President Pro Tempore of the Arkansas Senate.

The Arkansas state Senate won the 2019 Efficiency Award, one of the Digital Government Transformation Awards presented by the Information Network of Arkansas and state leaders who are working to make government more transparent.

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.

At a press conference at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 30, in the Old Supreme Court Room of the state Capitol, Senator Cecile Bledsoe of Rogers; Dr. Greg Bledsoe, the state Surgeon General; Kirk Lane, the state drug director; Jerry Cox, president of the Arkansas Family Council, and Larry Page, director of the Arkansas Faith and Ethics Council will urge Arkansas citizens to refuse to sign petitions in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana.

Vaping would be restricted just as smoking cigarettes is restricted, it would be taxed like tobacco products and its marketing to minors would be prohibited under legislation drafted by Senator Jim Hendren of Gravette, the President Pro Tempore of the Arkansas Senate.