News

The 2024 Fiscal Session is now underway. The House and Senate convened for a Joint Session on Wednesday to hear an address from Governor Sanders. The Governor’s proposed budget calls for a 1.76% spending increase. The proposed budget prioritizes education. Additional funding is also proposed for public safety and human services.   By Wednesday afternoon […]

The 2024 Fiscal Session of the General Assembly will commence on April 10, 2024, at noon. Following the House’s initial convening, there will be a brief recess before a Joint Session with the Senate to hear the Governor’s address. Amendment 86 stipulates that the General Assembly will focus solely on the budget, with any discussion […]

The total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, has captured the attention of Arkansans and visitors alike. The path of totality will stretch over 100 miles across The Natural State, extending from the southwest to the northeast. In some locations, lucky observers will experience over four minutes of total darkness. 53 of Arkansas’ 75 counties […]

Colorectal cancer stands as one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States. However, the stark reality is that it doesn’t have to be. The month of March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.  In 2021, our General Assembly took a significant step forward in the fight against colorectal cancer by passing Act […]

This week, the Arkansas Legislative Council and the council subcommittees convened at the Capitol. The council approved the permanent rules for Educational Freedom Accounts. Education Freedom Accounts may be used by eligible families to cover private school tuition, fees, uniforms, and some other required expenses. First-time kindergarteners, students enrolled in “D” or “F” rated schools, […]

Pre-fiscal session budget hearings took place at the Capitol this week. The hearings began with the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) presenting the Governor’s recommendation for a balanced budget. The Governor’s proposed budget calls for a 1.76% increase in spending. The greatest proposed increase is directed to education. The budget proposal calls for a […]

Currently, 26 women are serving in the Arkansas House of Representatives! Follow @argirlslead on X or on Facebook at ARgirlslead  and don’t forget Instagram @ARgirlslead

ARKANSAS HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF ROY RAGLAND ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT ARKANSAS HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF ROY RAGLAND ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT Little Rock, Arkansas (March 1, 2024) – The Chief of Staff for the Arkansas House of Representatives, Roy Ragland, recently announced he will retire later this year. His last day will be June 28, “It has been […]

From classrooms to healthcare, the state budget has a direct impact on our daily lives. Weeks before the legislative session begins, the General Assembly reviews the state’s current fiscal position and budget requests for the upcoming fiscal year. Budget hearings this year will begin on March 6 and are expected to continue through March 8. […]

This week, several members attended a Maternal Health Roundtable at UAMS. The roundtable included Arkansas medical professionals discussing maternal health alongside Governor Sanders, Senator John Boozman, and Congressman French Hill. Arkansas faces one of the nation’s highest maternal mortality rates, prompting discussions on improving access to maternal care in rural areas, especially with only 35 […]

The State Capitol Offices and all State Buildings will be Closed on Monday, February 19, 2024, in observance of George Washington’s Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day. Official Holiday Bulletin

In a recent report to Arkansas lawmakers, it was revealed that behavioral health cases at a pediatric hospital surged by 25% since the pandemic’s onset, with pediatricians noting that a significant portion of their workload now revolves around such cases. This trend mirrors national statistics cited by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), indicating that […]