The legislature completed the 2022 fiscal session in 23 days, approving a budget for state government that calls for spending about $6 billion in general revenue next year.
Senate News
Certified Law Enforcement Officers will get a $5,000 Salary Stipend
Certified law enforcement officers will get a $5,000 salary stipend this year, thanks to a Senate bill approved by the Arkansas legislature.
Package of Bills to Allow Oversight of Public and State Employees Insurance Plans
The legislature approved a package of bills that allow greater oversight of two major health insurance plans that cover public school teachers and state employees.
Legislature completed the first week of the 2022 Fiscal Session
The legislature completed the first week of the 2022 fiscal session, approving budgets for numerous state agencies and advancing reforms of public health insurance systems.
Prison Overcrowding
For decades prison overcrowding has sparked a financial tug-of-war between the state and Arkansas counties.
State Police Unveil New Phone Number for Non-Emergencies
Arkansas motorists who wish to contact the State Police for non-emergency reasons can now call *ASP on their cell phones. Dialing *ASP is the same as dialing *277.
Rental Assistance Program Has Benefited Thousands of Arkansas Tenants
Last year Arkansas joined a rental assistance program to help people who have lost jobs or businesses from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
So far the state Department of Human Services (DHS) made 31,373 payments, totalling $64.6 million. The money helps people with rent and utility bills, so they do not have to move out of their home or have their lights turned off.
Family Case Workers to Try Team Approach
The state Division of Children and Family Services intends to try out a new method of intervention, by assigning cases to a team of workers instead of to an individual.
Legislative Budget Hearings Prepare Lawmakers for 2022 Fiscal Session
The legislature has begun budget hearings in preparation for the 2022 fiscal session, which begins on February 14. Legislators will consider the governor’s proposed balanced budget of about $6 billion for Fiscal Year 2023, which officially begins on July 1.
Education Committee Begins Adequacy Study
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Arkansas Supreme Court’s landmark decision in the Lake View school funding case.