Senate News

  • Decline Number of Children in Foster Homes

    Download DOC The state Division of Children and Family Services has intensified preventative services in troubled families, and managed to lower the number of children in foster homes. Over the previous two years, the number of Arkansas children in foster care has gone down from 4,614 to 3,698. Over the past year, in more than […]

    14 Feb 2024 Weekly Updates
  • Literacy Tutoring Grants to be Awarded

    Download DOC The families of about 20,000 elementary students will soon be notified that they are eligible for a $500 grant to pay for tutors to help their children learn to read at grade level. The Legislative Council approved emergency rules, clearing the way for literacy tutoring grants to be awarded. The grants will go […]

    07 Feb 2024 Weekly Updates
  • Maternity Care Recommendations

    Download DOC A group of physicians and nurses conducted an in-depth study of the deaths of pregnant women in Arkansas and submitted their recommendations to the Legislative Council. They recommend that maternity care providers should increase their understanding of the need to screen for chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, which can worsen during […]

    31 Jan 2024 Weekly Updates
  • Broadband Public Comments

    Download DOC The freezing weather may have prevented citizens from appearing in person at three public hearings held by the Arkansas Broadband Office to gather input about plans to expand and improve Internet access in the state. However, there is still time to submit comments. Arkansans have until January 25 to submit their comments online […]

    24 Jan 2024 Weekly Updates
  • Adequacy and Equity of Public School Funding in Arkansas Public Schools

    Download DOC The Senate Education Committee has begun its review of the adequacy and equity of Arkansas public school funding. Lawmakers conduct the thorough review every two years, with the help of legislative staff. They use the results to determine how much to increase education funding, and whether or not to tighten curriculum standards and […]

    17 Jan 2024 Weekly Updates
  • Tax Reductions Take Effect

    Download DOC Numerous state laws will take effect in 2024, including tax reductions that will save Arkansas families and businesses about $250 million a year. During a September special session the legislature approved tax cuts that will benefit Arkansans in two ways. An income tax reduction will lower the top rate from 4.7 to 4.4 […]

    03 Jan 2024 Weekly Updates
  • 2023 Year in Review

    Download DOC In 2023 the legislature enacted major changes to state laws affecting the operations of public schools and state prisons. The centerpiece of the 2023 session was the LEARNS Act, a proposal by the governor to make school choice more affordable, raise teacher salaries and train high school students for well-paid jobs even if […]

    27 Dec 2023 Weekly Updates
  • Arkansas Fire Training Academy Funds

    Download DOC A subcommittee of the Legislative Council recommended almost $5.9 million in funding for the Arkansas Fire Training Academy, the primary training ground for firefighters from across the state. Southern Arkansas University Tech at Camden made the funding request, which would pay for needed repairs to the administration building. The HVAC is old and […]

    20 Dec 2023 Weekly Updates
  • Cyberattacks Against Arkansas Government

    Download DOC Over a 12-month period there were 130 reported cyberattacks against Arkansas government at the state and local levels. That was more than twice the number reported in the previous year. The Legislative Audit Committee compiles reports of cyberattacks against government entities in Arkansas, ranging from potentially serious security breaches to relatively trivial attempts […]

    13 Dec 2023 Weekly Updates
  • Tourism in Arkansas Has Never Been Stronger

    LITTLE ROCK – The Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism publishes a report every year on the health of the state’s tourism industry. According to the most recent statistics available, tourism in Arkansas has never been stronger. Last year more than 48 million people visited Arkansas, an increase of seven million over the previous year. […]

    06 Dec 2023 Weekly Updates