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 […]
Suicide Prevention 2021 copy.jpg

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

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 […]
2021 Redistricting Timeline copy.jpg

Congressional Redistricting Meetings Scheduled

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 […]
2021-Rice copy.jpg

National Rice Month

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% […]
Labor Day 2021-Announcement copy.jpg

Labor Day 2021

The State of Arkansas will observe Labor Day as an official state holiday on Monday, September 6th, 2021.  State Capitol offices and state buildings will be closed.  The State Capitol will be open to the public from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. A legal holiday by authority of Act 304 of 2001 and amended by […]
2021_Reimagine Arkansas Workforce Project.jpg

Reimagine Arkansas Workforce Project

This week, the Arkansas Legislative Council Higher Education Subcommittee reviewed details of a new program designed to benefit Arkansans who have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Reimagine Arkansas Workforce Project provides funding for qualifying individuals to complete online training at no cost in order to meet workforce needs across the state. The […]