News

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 […]

February marks the beginning of American Heart Month, a crucial period dedicated to raising awareness about heart health and the prevalence of heart disease. In the United States and in Arkansas, heart disease stands as the leading cause of death. Statistics paint a stark picture: every 33 seconds, a life is claimed by cardiovascular disease […]

Food traditions often serve as cultural landmarks, preserving culinary heritage and connecting generations. Long-standing food establishments carry the flavors and techniques passed down through time, offering a taste of history on each plate. That is why in 2016, the Division of Arkansas Heritage launched the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame.  The Arkansas Food Hall of […]

The Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC) and the council’s subcommittees met this week at the Capitol. These meetings were previously scheduled for the week of January 15 but were postponed due to the winter weather across the state. ALC members were presented with an update from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) regarding damage from […]

Public education stands as the primary expenditure within state government. This month, the House and Senate Education Committees began working on the Educational Adequacy Study. This study will serve as a recommendation to the legislature to determine funding for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. This in-depth process involves assessing the entirety of public education […]