Senate News

  • Arkansas Sales Tax Holiday Set for August 1–2

    Arkansas families preparing for the upcoming school year will once again benefit from the state’s annual sales tax holiday, scheduled as always for the first weekend in August. State lawmakers set the event in early August specifically to ease the financial burden on families with children headed back to school. This year’s tax‑free weekend begins […]

    24 Jul 2026 Weekly Updates
  • U.S. Department of Education Approves Arkansas’ Returning Education to the States Waiver

    Arkansas will now have broader authority to shape its own education policies after the U.S. Department of Education approved the state’s Returning Education to the States Waiver, its application for Ed‑Flex authority, and amendments to its federal accountability plan. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the approvals alongside U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, calling the […]

    17 Jul 2026 Weekly Updates
  • Arkansas Ends Fiscal Year With $655 Million Surplus, Fifth Largest in State History

    Arkansas concluded Fiscal Year 2026 with a general revenue surplus of $655 million, marking one of the strongest financial performances in state history and highlighting continued economic growth across the state. The surplus, released by the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), is the fifth largest ever recorded and represents a sharp increase from the […]

    10 Jul 2026 Weekly Updates
  • Candy, Soda No Longer Covered by SNAP Benefits

    A major change to the Arkansas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) took effect this week, removing candy, soda (including diet and zero‑calorie varieties), and fruit or vegetable juices containing less than 50 percent natural juice from the list of eligible purchases. The new SNAP Nutrition Waiver aims to promote healthier eating habits and reduce long‑term […]

    03 Jul 2026 Weekly Updates