Arkansas Reports Second-Highest Jump in Coronavirus Cases
Arkansas reported its second-highest increase in confirmed coronavirus cases on Thursday as a state senator was hospitalized after testing positive for the virus. read more >
Tagged: Jason Rapert
Arkansas State Senator Hospitalized after Positive COVID-19 Test
An Arkansas state senator said Thursday he is in the hospital after testing positive for the illness caused by the coronavirus. read more >
DWS to Lawmakers: Aging System, Quick Work Contributed to PUA Problems
An aging unemployment system and a desire to get money to unemployed people quickly contributed to problems with the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance rollout in Arkansas, DWS leaders say. read more >
States Brace for Long-term Flood Fight as Damages Mount
States' efforts to fight future floods may turn out to be only a down payment on a long-term battle against floods, which are forecast to become more frequent and destructive as global temperatures rise. read more >
Rapert Says He's running for Arkansas Lieutenant Governor
A Republican state senator who sponsored a law requiring a Ten Commandments monument at the Capitol and several abortion restrictions says he's running for Arkansas lieutenant governor in 2022. read more >
Arkansas Floods Force New Look at Old Levees
The historic spring flooding in Arkansas caused at least $100 million in damage. Now comes the re-evaluation of Arkansas’ long-neglected levee system, which will surely seek to address at least two big public policy questions: Who should be responsible for the levees? Who should pay for their maintenance? read more >
Governor Announces More Members, First Meeting of Levee Task Force
Gov. Asa Hutchinson announces additional appointments to the Arkansas Levee Task Force he created by executive order last month. read more >
Solar Energy Bill Clears Senate, Heads to House Committee
Arkansas senators Wednesday passed by a 28-2 vote Senate Bill 145, a key legislative priority for Arkansas’ solar power industry. read more >
Bill by Jason Rapert Would Ban Abortion If Roe Ruling Overturned
An Arkansas lawmaker files legislation that would trigger an abortion ban in the state if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its landmark 1973 decision that legalized the procedure across the nation. read more >
Lawmakers Test Sanctity of Grocery Tax Cut (Andrew DeMillo Analysis)
Democrats reclaimed the governor's office in Arkansas 12 years ago after a campaign that hinged on a promise to end the state's sales tax on groceries. A majority Republican Legislature currently hunting for ways to cut income taxes even further may test just how sacred that promise is. read more >
Stop Payday Lending – Again (Editorial)
Arkansans have repeatedly affirmed at the ballot box that they oppose predatory lending, but two state legislators are trying to make it easier for predatory lenders to operate. read more >
Arkansas Panel Advances Medical Pot Smoking, Edibles Ban
An Arkansas Senate committee advanced bills to change the medical marijuana law approved by voters in November by banning smoking medical marijuana and the selling of food or drinks containing the drug. read more >
Arkansas Senate OKs Bids for Marriage, Abortion Amendments
The Arkansas Senate endorses a long-shot effort to push for amending the U.S. Constitution to effectively ban gay marriage and abortion, a move one Republican lawmaker said is needed to overturn rulings from the nation's highest court. read more >
Arkansas Lawmakers OK Income Tax Break on Veterans' Benefits
The Arkansas House on Monday approved a tax break for retired military veterans, but the proposal is drawing objections from conservatives over a plan to raise taxes on soda, candy and digital downloads to help pay for it. read more >
Opponents Urge Panel to Block Ten Commandments Plan
Opponents of an effort to build a Ten Commandments monument near Arkansas' Capitol urged a panel to reject the statue on grounds that it could bring lawsuits, while the lawmaker behind the display said Wednesday that the only decision remaining is where to install it. read more >
Jason Rapert Named CEO of ULockIt Security Devices
ULockIt Security Devices of Conway announced Monday the appointment of Jason Rapert as its CEO. The company said it's also looking at expanding sales nationwide. read more >
Group Sets Plans for Ten Commandments Near Arkansas Capitol
A granite monument of the Ten Commandments planned near Arkansas' Capitol will weigh 6,000 pounds and stand more than 6 feet tall, the group lined up to install the display said in an application filed Monday. read more >
Arkansas Republicans Select 12 Delegates to GOP Convention
Arkansas Republicans have met in each of the state's four congressional districts to select 12 delegates to the GOP National Convention in July. read more >
Arkansas Lawmakers Advance Plan to Save Medicaid Expansion
Arkansas lawmakers broke a stalemate over the state's hybrid Medicaid expansion Tuesday after Democrats acceded to an unusual plan that'll require them to initially vote to end the subsidized health insurance for thousands of poor people. read more >
Arkansas House, Senate Panels OK Hybrid Medicaid Expansion
Arkansas House and Senate committees advanced Gov. Asa Hutchinson's proposal to keep the hybrid Medicaid expansion. But opponents said they didn't believe the state or federal government could afford the expanded coverage. The House and Senate are expected to take up the plan on Thursday. read more >
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