Download 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 UpdatesDownload 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 […]
Weekly UpdatesDownload 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 […]
Weekly UpdatesDownload 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 […]
Weekly UpdatesDownload 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 […]
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