Members of the Arkansas Senate and House of Representatives were recently invited to the White House to meet with key staff from the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs for the White House State Leadership Conference. The purpose of the meeting was to offer a forum for state elected leaders to have meaningful dialogue and […]
Weekly UpdatesArkansas families preparing for the upcoming school year will once again benefit from the state’s annual sales tax holiday, scheduled as always for the first weekend in August. State lawmakers set the event in early August specifically to ease the financial burden on families with children headed back to school. This year’s tax‑free weekend begins […]
Weekly UpdatesArkansas will now have broader authority to shape its own education policies after the U.S. Department of Education approved the state’s Returning Education to the States Waiver, its application for Ed‑Flex authority, and amendments to its federal accountability plan. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the approvals alongside U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, calling the […]
Weekly UpdatesArkansas concluded Fiscal Year 2026 with a general revenue surplus of $655 million, marking one of the strongest financial performances in state history and highlighting continued economic growth across the state. The surplus, released by the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), is the fifth largest ever recorded and represents a sharp increase from the […]
Weekly UpdatesA major change to the Arkansas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) took effect this week, removing candy, soda (including diet and zero‑calorie varieties), and fruit or vegetable juices containing less than 50 percent natural juice from the list of eligible purchases. The new SNAP Nutrition Waiver aims to promote healthier eating habits and reduce long‑term […]
Weekly UpdatesLITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) hosted CASA Day at the Capitol during the recent fiscal session. The event opened with remarks from Senator Jonathan Dismang and Representative Jeremy Wooldridge. Following the program, CASA program leaders from across the state met with legislators to share their vision and highlight the critical […]
Weekly UpdatesThe Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC) and its subcommittees met this week. ALC is one of the most important legislative committees that meet in the interim between legislative sessions. Through its various subcommittees, it provides legislative oversight of the executive branch of government. The Hospital, Medicaid, and Developmental Disabilities Study Subcommittee met Monday morning. Members reviewed […]
Weekly UpdatesOn May 29, the Arkansas State Capitol welcomed delegates from Arkansas Boys State. These young men were here to learn through meetings with constitutional officers and mock legislative sessions. Founded in 1940, Arkansas Boys State is an immersive civics education and leadership summer experience for rising high school seniors. Former Boys Staters include former President […]
Weekly UpdatesThe halls of the state Capitol rang with youthful enthusiasm on May 28 as delegates from Arkansas Girls State took over for a day. Founded in 1942, Arkansas Girls State is a week-long leadership and civic engagement summer program for high school girls finishing their junior year, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary. It educates […]
Weekly UpdatesLITTLE ROCK — On May 26, the Arkansas legislature looked a little younger. And a lot more female. Earlier this year, legislators became aware that up to 150 young women from Arkansas high schools were blocked from participation in the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State due to a deadline for schools that fell on spring […]
Weekly Updates