Weekly Updates

A six-month survey of Internet access in Arkansas has been completed, and state officials now have a more accurate roadmap of which regions need more investment in broadband technologies.

At their first meeting scheduled after Easter, lawmakers heard an update on new rules and new funding that will eliminate a waiting list for services for people with developmental disabilities.

Average teacher salaries in Arkansas ranked 47^th in the nation in 2020, down from 46^th in 2019 and 44^th in 2018.

The recidivism rate for Arkansas prison inmates is 46.1 percent, a rate which the head of state prisons called unacceptable.

The Arkansas tourism industry is recovering from the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on collections of the state two percent tourism tax, the industry now exceeds pre-pandemic levels of economic activity. However, other gauges of tourism indicate that fewer people are working at Arkansas hotels than in 2019.

The state Education Department has partnered with a non-profit organization called Forward Arkansas to address a growing teacher shortage in Arkansas.

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.

Certified law enforcement officers will get a $5,000 salary stipend this year, thanks to a Senate bill approved by the Arkansas legislature.

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.

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.