The joint Senate and House Committees on City, County and Local Affairs met to explore methods of funding of much-needed improvements to water and sewer systems across Arkansas.
Weekly Updates
Sales Tax Holiday Set for August 6 and 7
Every year the sales tax holiday is the first weekend in August. This year it will be Saturday, August 6, and Sunday, August 7.
Proposed Constitutional Amendments Would Legalize Recreational Marijuana and Block Casino in Pope County
Two interest groups submitted petitions to the Secretary of State seeking to have two proposed constitutional amendments placed on the November general election ballot.
One would legalize marijuana and the other would remove Pope County as a possible site for a gambling casino.
Governor to Call Special Session in August for Income Tax Reductions
The governor announced that he would call the legislature into special session on August 8 to consider income tax cuts that would save Arkansas families and businesses almost $700 million when they take effect.
School Safety Commission Continues Work to Protect Students and Staff
The Arkansas School Safety Commission is meeting frequently in order to have an initial report ready for the governor and legislators by August 1. The commission has been charged with updating its original report, which was issued in November of 2018.
Children and Family Services Division Working to Reduce Case Loads
When people call the state hotline to report suspected child abuse or neglect, about 80 percent are assigned to the Division of Children and Family Services. The other 20 percent are considered more serious, and are assigned to the State Police, which has a Division of Crimes Against Children. The Division has 428 family services workers. Their average caseload in March was 23.3, which is down from 25.5 last October. The state’s goal is to bring it below 20.
School Safety Commission to Deliver Second Set of Recommendations
The Arkansas School Safety Commission has been set up again to update measures to protect students while they are in school. The governor issued an executive order to reinstate the commission in the wake of the mass murder of 19 children and two adults at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24.
State Provides Relief Funding for Child Care Centers
The economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was especially hard for child care centers, so the Arkansas Department of Human Services is administering about $286 million to help them cover expenses and remain in business. So far, about $110 million of the relief funding has been sent to child care providers, according to the department’s Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education.
Added Slots For Virtual Statewide Charter Schools Have Been Approved
Two new virtual statewide charter schools have been approved by the Arkansas Board of Education.
Forestry Division Provides Services in Urban Areas Too
The state Forestry Division is known for managing woodlands, helping control fires and supporting rural fire departments. Not so well known is its work in cities and towns. In mid-May, the division hosted forestry professionals from across the Southeast for a training event designed to improve the skills of Urban Strike Force Teams.