Grown in Arkanas_Holiday 2021 copy.jpg

Thanking Arkansas Farmers

Next week, most of us will gather around a table with family and friends and think about the things we are most thankful for. This year, we encourage you to think about the men and women who helped bring your meal to the table. Arkansas farmers made not only your meal but countless meals across […]
2021_National Adoption Month copy.jpg

National Adoption Month

Right now, there are about 349 children and teens in Arkansas whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated and are currently seeking a forever family. November is National Adoption Month. It is a time to encourage others to learn about adoption and recognize the many children who are still waiting. Recently, the Division of Children […]
Veterans Day 2021 copy.jpg

Veterans Day 2021

The State Capitol Offices and all  State Buildings will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, to observe Veterans Day. A legal holiday by authority of Act 304 of 2001 and amended by Act 561 of 2017. Official State Holiday Bulletin
2021_Veteran Demographic copy.jpg

Thanking Arkansas Veterans

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 […]
Speaker Slide_news release.jpg

SPEAKER SHEPHERD APPOINTS CLARK SMITH TO INDEPENDENT CITIZENS COMMISSION

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 […]
Diabetes_2 copy.jpg

Preventing Diabetes

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 […]
Revenue Forecast 2021.jpg

General Revenue Forecast

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 […]
2021 Arkansas BreastCancer Program copy.jpg

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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 […]
2021-09-30_House Session_3K0A9260 copy.jpg

House Passes Redistricting Legislation

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, […]
Domestic Violence_2021_SLIDE copy.jpg

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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 […]
2020_Redistricting_2.jpg

2021 Proposed Congressional Redistricting Maps

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 […]
2021_Redistricting copy.jpg

Committee Reviews Redistricting Proposals

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 […]