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Committee Selection Process for the 93rd General Assembly

October 30, 2020
This year, returning House members and members-elect will make their committee selection for the 2021 Regular Session just days after the election.A House caucus has been scheduled for 9:00 am on December 2, 2020. During the caucus, newly elected members will draw for seniority and all members will select their seats for the 93rd General […]
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Saving Millions by Transforming Government

October 23, 2020
We are currently in the ninth month of the first year of transformation, and as a recent report shows, Arkansas has saved a lot of millions by implementing a number of efficiencies.The 92nd General Assembly passed Act 910, known as the “Transformation and Efficiencies Act.” Since it took effect cabinet secretaries have been asked to […]
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Statement from Speaker Shepherd

October 21, 2020
Representative Joe Cloud informed me that he has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. I continue to pray for a speedy recovery for our members and all Arkansans affected by this virus. The House is working with the Arkansas Department of Health to complete the contact tracing process. It remains our plan to resume Pre-Session […]
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Two House Members Test Positive for COVID-19. Legislative Meetings Postponed.

October 20, 2020
  TWO HOUSE MEMBERS TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS POSTPONED   LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas House Speaker Matthew Shepherd announced today that Pre-Session Budget Hearings and all other legislative meetings previously scheduled for the remainder of this week are postponed.  House and Senate leadership agreed to postpone these meetings upon learning that three legislators […]
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Breast Cancer Awareness

October 16, 2020
October is breast cancer awareness month. This is an opportunity to remind Arkansans of the importance of mammograms for early detection and lifestyle changes that could help prevent cancer. Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early when it is easier to treat, and before it is big enough to feel or cause […]
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Budget Hearings to Begin October 13

October 9, 2020
Decisions regarding our state budget show the priorities we make as a state. The budget making process has a direct impact on everything from classrooms to health care. Budget hearings will begin Tuesday, October 13, 2020, and are scheduled to conclude November 12, 2020. The Joint Budget Committee sits with the Arkansas Legislative Committee as […]
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Funding Arkansas Education

October 2, 2020
For every tax dollar coming into the state, 41% is spent on K-12 public schools. Approximately, half of all school district revenues come from the state. Our current process of determining the amount of state funding for our schools goes back to 2003. The Public School Funding Act of 2003 develops per-pupil funding amounts by […]
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Register to Vote!

September 25, 2020
Unfortunately, each Election Day, many would-be first-time voters in Arkansas do not have their votes counted because they are not actually registered to vote. The deadline to register to vote in the November election is October 5. The postmark on a mail-in application will be considered the submission date.Many believed they had registered months before, […]
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Covid-19 Response Update for September 22, 2020

September 22, 2020
The Arkansas Department of Health reported 486 new confirmed cases and 131 new probable cases on Tuesday.The agency also reported 12 additional deaths and an increase of 12 hospitalizations.The Governor outlined COVID-19 winter strategies which include increasing flu shot participation and performing 1 million COVID-19 tests by October 20. More than 830,000 tests have been […]
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Verifying Your Internet Speed

September 18, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered online activity in our state.  More Arkansans are working remotely, learning through distance education, using telehealth, and attending online church services. It remains to be seen to what extent some of the changes in habit will continue after the health crisis ends. That is why 2020 is a critical […]
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Covid-19 Response Update for September 16, 2020

September 16, 2020
There were 606 positive PCR tests and 95 positive antigen tests reported on Wednesday.The counties with the highest number of new cases are as follows: Washington-65Pulaski-58Benton-37Faulkner-31Jefferson-29 The Arkansas Department of Health reported 7 additional deaths.Hospitalizations have decreased by two. 2020 Covid-19_infographic_2020-09-16.pdf