Opinion

As I often travel between home and Washington, D.C., I’m constantly reminded how blessed we are to live in The Natural State. With its beautiful rivers, majestic mountains and incredible wildlife, Arkansas has long celebrated and utilized these resources in a variety of ways. The abundance of natural treasures is one of the many reasons people are drawn to the state for recreation opportunities.

When House members return from the spring break recess, they will begin the process reviewing proposed constitutional amendments. Those hearings will take place in the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee.

I didn’t look this up in the event I receive feedback from this column about what I am about to say. In our short time living here, there has been something bugging me and I haven’t figured out how it’s been possible to pull off, yet I see it constantly when I am driving around the area.

Arkansans rely on access to physicians and health care professionals to provide life-saving and preventative care close to home. Rural states like ours face an acute need for medical providers. More than 500,000 Natural State residents live in an area defined by the federal government as lacking the adequate number of health professionals to serve the population. While we’re investing in educating and training the next generation of health care providers to help expand the delivery of health care across the state, Congress is also advancing a number of solutions to help enhance health care in rural communities and under served areas.

House members will now be taking an extended recess. When the House reconvenes on March 27, members will be addressing public safety legislation, constitutional amendments, and the budget.

I have talked a bit about certain traditions needing to end. Yes, they are there for a reason but at this rate I have become a curmudgeon as I approach 40 years old and there are a lot of things we do as a society year in and year out we can do away with.