Average teacher salaries in Arkansas ranked 47th in the nation in 2020, down from 46th in 2019 and 44th in 2018.
Weekly Updates
Prison Officials Work to Lower Recidivism Rate
The recidivism rate for Arkansas prison inmates is 46.1 percent, a rate which the head of state prisons called unacceptable.
Arkansas Tourism Industry Making a Comeback
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.
Forward Arkansas to address a growing teacher shortage in Arkansas
The state Education Department has partnered with a non-profit organization called Forward Arkansas to address a growing teacher shortage in Arkansas.
Legislature Completed the 2022 Fiscal Session
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
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.