Politics

This week, we would like to remind families of an upcoming scholarship deadline. July 1 is the deadline to apply for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship. The scholarship provides tuition assistance to traditional and non-traditional students attending universities and two-year colleges – both public and private – in the state. Freshman students at four-year colleges receive $1,000 from the scholarship. Second- and third-year students receive $4,000, and senior-level students are awarded $5,000 per year.  

At two-year colleges, first-year students receive $1,000 annually, while second-year students are awarded $3,000. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Arkansas, Politics

Tourism in Arkansas is making a big comeback.  While the pandemic severely impacted the industry in 2020, there are signs that tourism is rebounding and doing better than before the health emergency began. The tourism tax collections for March 2021 exceeded collections from March 2019 by 14.6%. From mountain biking adventures to world-class art museums, Arkansas destinations play an essential role in our economy. Before the pandemic, travel-supported jobs represented 6.6% of Arkansas’s total private industry employment. We also know that 8.4 jobs are created for every $1million spent on tourism in our state. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Arkansas, Politics

Directly behind the Capitol stands a monument honoring those Arkansas families who sacrificed more than most. The Gold Star Family Memorial Monument reminds us daily here at the Capitol that without those sacrifices, our freedom could not and would not have been preserved. Arkansas has citizens in nearly every community willing to make such sacrifices. Whether they volunteered, served during peacetime, or never expected to serve until their draft card arrived, those who wear our nation’s uniform represent the best America has to offer. 

Honoring our veterans with words alone falls terribly short if we do not bring those words to life by honoring them equally with our deeds. 

We can always offer our support. We can place flags and wreaths at their graves. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Arkansas, Politics

This week, we want to direct your attention to a program that could help Arkansans struggling to pay rent and utilities due to the pandemic. The Arkansas Rent Relief Program offers financial help to pay overdue and upcoming rent and utilities for eligible Arkansas renters. Landlords who have tenants unable to pay their rent because of lost income or the COVID-10 pandemic also may apply.  The state of Arkansas has $173 million of federal funding for the Arkansas Rent Relief Program. Once an application is approved, money would go directly to landlords and utility companies. The program covers overdue rent plus up to 5 percent of late fees dating back to April 1, 2020. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Arkansas, Politics

ARKANSAS – Washington County Judge Joseph Wood announced today his candidacy to become the next Lieutenant Governor of the great state of Arkansas. “I’m running for Lieutenant Governor because there are big issues facing our state and my record of cutting government waste, recruiting new businesses, and standing for conservative values are needed for a better Arkansas,” said Joseph Wood. “I will bring to the office real–world experience from working with major corporations in the private sector to being a small business owner and fighting for our shared pursuit of life and liberty in the state.”

Joseph is currently serving his second term as County Judge. Overseeing a county that is growing by fifteen families every day in one of the fastest growing counties in the nation, Joseph has made the county a great place to raise a family and grow businesses. As County Judge he has led across the state, region, and nation – getting results for a stronger Arkansas. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Arkansas, Politics

When an officer is killed, it is not only a loss to the agency, it’s a loss to our entire state. National Police Week is May 9-May 15. May 15 has also been designated as Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor the service and sacrifice of those law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty while protecting our communities. Sadly, Arkansas lost five officers in the line of duty last year. An estimated 7,000 officers are protecting and serving 3 million Arkansans. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Arkansas, Politics

The House is now in an extended recess for the 2021 Regular Session. While we have completed the vast majority of our work for the year, we will return in the fall to address congressional redistricting.  

The Governor has indicated he may call a special session around that time to address additional tax cuts. Legislation passed so far this session has reduced taxes by $84 million for the current fiscal year and is projected to cut another $197 million in taxes for Fiscal Year 2022. The vast majority of those tax cuts come from two pieces of legislation drafted to respond quickly to the economic situation created by the health emergency. Act 154 exempts unemployment benefits paid in 2020 and 2021 from state income tax. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Arkansas, Politics