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By April 1, 2020, each of you will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census.  Responding to the census this time will be easier than ever, as this will be the first time you can respond online.The Constitution mandates that the country conduct a count of its population once every 10 years. The […]

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In the U.S. someone dies by suicide every 11.1 minutes. In Arkansas, someone dies by suicide every 14 hours.Suicide is not inevitable for anyone.  By starting the conversation, providing support, and directing help to those who need it, we can prevent suicides and save lives.The second week of September has been declared Suicide Prevention Awareness […]

During the 2019 Regular Session, the General Assembly passed several pieces of legislation concerning our elections.One of those pieces of legislation will change the date of our primaries.Arkansas will join 13 other states holding a March 3, 2020 primary. Only 4 other states will hold their caucus or primary before March 3.Act 545 provides for […]

The State of Arkansas will observe Labor Day as an official state holiday on Monday, September 2, 2019.   State Capitol Offices and all State Buildings will be closed. The State Capitol Building will, however, be open to visitors that day from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. To download a PDF of the official bulletin […]

Arkansas recently set a new record low for unemployment. The unemployment rate for July was 3.4 %, breaking the previous record of 3.5% last month. There are 19,200 more jobs in our state than this time last year. But the story of our work force does not end there.  As we approach Labor Day, it’s […]

During any given day in the school year, there are 350,000 children riding a bus on Arkansas roadways.This week, legislators joined the Governor, Education Secretary Johnny Key, and state police in reminding drivers that Flashing Red means Kids Ahead.It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus whenever its red lights are flashing, as students […]

In Arkansas, there are on average 71 billion gallons of water flowing in rivers, 4.8 trillion gallons in lakes and 200 trillion gallons in the ground.Our state is abundant with water resources and much of our economy depends on it. It is estimated Arkansans use 157 gallons of water every day.August is National Water Quality […]

In 2018, there were 161 Amber Alerts issued nationwide.  5 of those originated here in Arkansas. Those first minutes and hours after a child has been reported missing are crucial for law enforcement.  That is why this General Assembly took an extraordinary and first of its kind step to help ensure law enforcement has all […]

Most students in Arkansas public schools head back to the classroom the second week of August. From recess to reading, there are several pieces of legislation passed in the most recent session which will impact the upcoming school year.Below are some, but not all, of the acts taking effect this year.Act 641 ensures that elementary […]