During the first week it was available, about 600 Arkansans took advantage of a new online service to schedule the driving portion of their test to get a driver’s license.
Senate News
Report from Levee Task Force Recommends Ways to Protect Lives and Property
The Arkansas Levee Task Force has completed its final report, with recommendations on how to pay for maintenance and repairs, and how to best gauge the current condition of levees.
Senator Bledsoe Announces Press Conference, January 30, Against Recreational Marijuana
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.
Legislative Changes Stabilized Workers' Comp Market
Thanks to legislation enacted in 1993, Arkansas continues to experience a competitive market for workers’ compensation insurance.
Legislature Commits to Funding of Special Education
Over the past decade, greater numbers of Arkansas children have been diagnosed with disabilities that require them to receive special education.
Arkansas Legislature Approves Private Prison Contract
The Legislative Council endorsed a plan for two southeast Arkansas counties to contract with a private company to build and operate a 600-bed prison.
Arkansas Exports Continue to Increase
Canada and Mexico continue to be the top destinations for Arkansas exports, according to the 2019 report by the World Trade Center of the University of Arkansas.
Income Taxes to Go Down in 2020
In 2019 the regular session lawmakers balanced the budget of state government while cutting taxes and reducing the number of state agencies.
Legislature Had Productive Year in 2019
The new year is an election year, and thanks to legislation approved during the regular session earlier this year, the primaries in Arkansas will take place on Tuesday, March 3.
Joint Public Retirement update
More than 2,000 people attended a series of meetings that the legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Retirement held in 11 cities across Arkansas earlier this fall.
Estimates are that about half of those in attendance were members of the state Teacher Retirement System.