Opinion

Baby it’s cold outside. Or at least that is what we are told is going to happen. As I am sure most people know, when it comes to the weather, adage of, “I’ll believe it when I see it,” holds true around here.

This week, the Arkansas Legislative Council received a report regarding the state of mental and behavioral health in Arkansas. This report was months in the making.

This week, the Arkansas Legislative Council received a report regarding the state of mental and behavioral health in Arkansas. This report was months in the making.

It’s common to hear from Arkansans all over the state about their friends and family members in need of help regarding a problem with a federal government agency. Issues such as securing emergency passports for a family to attend an overseas wedding, obtaining a grave marker to honor a WWII veteran or ensuring a small business gets paid for its government contracted work all represent the type of outreach my office receives over the course of a year. I’m proud of the work my staff provides in getting questions answered and resolving these impasses for constituents.

Legislators finished the calendar year with a final round of recommendations for spending federal relief funds and reserve funds. The recommendations include using another $93.8 million for broadband projects and $20 million to upgrade computerized case management for the state court system.

Baby it’s cold outside. Or at least that is what we are told is going to happen. As I am sure most people know, when it comes to the weather, adage of, “I’ll believe it when I see it,” holds true around here.

LITTLE ROCK – The state Natural Resources Commission has awarded $270 million in grants for 157 drinking water and wastewater projects in 58 counties. Work will begin in 2023 on the projects and they must be completed before the end of 2026.

Congress is advancing the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to strengthen defense investment and ensure servicemembers and their families have the tools, resources and training to combat evolving threats to our national security. At the forefront of achieving this legislative milestone is the relationship between Congress and the Department of Defense (DoD). Throughout the year, Members of Congress engage with DoD officials from all services to help establish or continue defense programs, policies, projects and activities. This connection is further strengthened through the DoD’s Legislative Fellowship program.

Nationwide, just half of all high schools offer computer science courses. That’s not the case here in Arkansas.

It is that time of year where a trend I have seen over the years ramps up. I am not sure how it started or by whom, but it is a plague that seems to mostly hit boys of all ages and even a few adults.