Download DOC The state Education Department has written new rules for troubled schools to enter “transformation contracts” with outside entities, such as charter school operators. The Department will accept public comments until May 15 on the eight pages of proposed rules. They will implement a provision in the LEARNS Act that was passed by the […]
Weekly UpdatesDownload DOC The legislature convened the fiscal session and will spend the next month working on a $6.3 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The legislature has always approved conservative budgets, and the balanced budget proposed by the governor is very conservative even by traditional standards. It calls for growth in […]
Weekly UpdatesDownload DOC Several state agencies are preparing for increased traffic from out-of-state tourists who will drive to Arkansas on Monday, April 8, to view the solar eclipse. They’re planning for traffic disruptions even in parts of the state that will not experience the full effect of the eclipse. For example, southeast Arkansas is not in […]
Weekly UpdatesDownload DOC Arkansans who own a home or a business are becoming more aware that the cost of insurance coverage is going up significantly. Legislators are looking for ways to bring the cost down again. At a recent meeting of the Joint Senate and House Committees on Insurance and Commerce, industry representatives outlined the various […]
Weekly UpdatesDownload DOC A legislative committee voted to add $25.2 million to a revolving loan fund for safe drinking water projects. The majority of the funds will be loans, but local water systems can apply to have the principle forgiven. The state Division of Natural Resources brought the funding request to legislators on the Performance Evaluation […]
Weekly UpdatesDownload DOC Legislators held budget hearings to scrutinize every spending category in state government, in preparation for the fiscal session that begins April 10. Leading off the agenda was the presentation of a balanced budget for next fiscal year. Arkansas does not deficit spend, or borrow money to pay for state government operations. The director […]
Weekly UpdatesDownload DOC Arkansas is one of several states that have restricted their public retirement systems from investing in funds that refuse to trade in the stock of fossil fuel companies, energy companies, ammunition manufacturers and firearms makers. Texas, Oklahoma, Kentucky and West Virginia have drawn up a list of financial institutions that are restricted from […]
Weekly UpdatesDownload DOC The legislature has been working on a long-term, sustainable solution to the spike in property insurance costs of Arkansas schools. A consultant hired last year will submit his report in March. The legislature will meet in fiscal session in April. Schools are experiencing the same dramatic increases in property insurance that homeowners are […]
Weekly UpdatesDownload DOC Arkansas legislators approved a $30 million expenditure to improve mental health services and treatment of substance abuse. The governor and the state Human Services Department supported the plan to fill in the gaps in the statewide system of treating mental illness and helping people with drug problems. The money will help create a […]
Weekly UpdatesDownload 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 […]
Weekly Updates