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Thanking Arkansas Veterans

November 3, 2021
Arkansas is home to more than 200,000 veterans. They live and work in every community throughout our state. As we approach Veterans Day, we would like to thank our veterans for their sacrifice, their bravery, and the example they set for us all. The majority of Arkansas veterans served in Vietnam. We are home to […]
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SPEAKER SHEPHERD APPOINTS CLARK SMITH TO INDEPENDENT CITIZENS COMMISSION

November 3, 2021
SPEAKER SHEPHERD APPOINTS CLARK SMITH TO INDEPENDENT CITIZENS COMMISSION    Little Rock, Arkansas (November 3, 2021) – Arkansas House Speaker Matthew Shepherd has named Clark Smith of El Dorado to serve on the Arkansas Independent Citizens Commission. Mr. Smith will serve the remainder of Nathan Evers four-year term which is set to expire in January […]
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Preventing Diabetes

October 29, 2021
According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 363,781 people in Arkansas, or 14.8% of the adult population, have diabetes. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and the number one cause of kidney failure, lower-limb amputations, and adult blindness. In the last 20 years, the number of adults nationwide diagnosed […]
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General Revenue Forecast

October 21, 2021
There are two big developments this week regarding our state’s economy. Unemployment in Arkansas continues to decline, and our budget forecast was adjusted to reflect an increase in revenue. The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services says Arkansas’ unemployment rate decreased two-tenths of a percentage point from 4.2% in August to 4.0% in September. This is […]
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Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 15, 2021
According to the Arkansas Department of Health, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer. It is the most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of death among women. In 2018, there were 2,339 new breast cancer cases and 368 cancer deaths in the state. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an […]
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House Passes Redistricting Legislation

October 8, 2021
This week, the House passed legislation outlining new boundaries for Arkansas’ four congressional districts.   HB1982 and SB743 are identical bills that divide the state into the following districts: The first congressional district includes the counties of Arkansas, Baxter, Boone, Chicot, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Desha, Fulton, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Lee, Lincoln, Lonoke, […]
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Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October 1, 2021
On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. That equates to more than 10 million women and men.October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Communities and advocacy organizations across the country connect with the public and one another throughout the month to raise awareness about the […]
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2021 Proposed Congressional Redistricting Maps

September 27, 2021
Find links to the proposed maps below. As a reminder, the Arkansas Board of Apportionment is responsible for redrawing the state senate and state representative districts. The board consists of the Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State. You can find more information on that process at www.arkansasredistricting.org. Current Congressional Districts 2021 Proposed Maps: HB […]
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Committee Reviews Redistricting Proposals

September 24, 2021
PROPOSED MAPS House members are expected to return to the Capitol on Wednesday, September 29, to take up congressional redistricting. The Arkansas legislature reviews congressional districts after every U.S. Census to see if changes to boundary lines are needed. This once-a-decade review process is called “redistricting.” Arkansas is divided into four congressional districts.Traditionally, the legislature […]
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Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September 17, 2021
In the United States, someone dies by suicide approximately every 11.1 minutes, and in Arkansas, on average, every 16 hours. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10–34 and the 10th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.  The overall suicide rate in the U.S. has increased by 35% since […]
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Congressional Redistricting Meetings Scheduled

September 10, 2021
There are three legislative meetings scheduled this month to review proposals for congressional redistricting.Arkansans are welcome to attend these meetings and comment on the proposals.The proposals will be outlined in bills drafted by legislators. The House and Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committees will be meeting jointly in the MAC building located directly behind […]
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National Rice Month

September 3, 2021
Rice is grown in over 40 Arkansas counties. The crop contributes billions to the state’s economy and accounts for approximately 25,000 jobs, crucial to rural communities.September is National Rice Month, a month-long celebration of all things rice. In Arkansas, we have a great deal to celebrate.Our state is home to 2,300 rice farms, and 96% […]