Opinion

The 2021 Regular Session begins in less than two months. We want to take this week to update you on the ongoing budget hearings in preparation for the session. Pre-session budget hearings have been extended. They began last month and will continue from now to November 19. ...

The governor presented a balanced budget proposal to the legislature for next fiscal year. It would authorize about $5.8 billion next year in spending from the state’s general revenue fund, about three percent more than this year. The legislature has been working on balancing the budgets of state agencies since mid-October. The final spending plan for Arkansas state government will be set when the legislature adjourns the 2021 regular session. It begins in January...

Arkansas is blessed with a wonderful landscape and incredible wildlife that people from all across the country come to our state to enjoy. Preserving and protecting our environment is vital to enabling future generations of Americans to participate in popular outdoor activities. This Congress, we’ve taken significant action to improve federal conservation programs, most recently with the enactment of America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act...

The state is helping people who have trouble paying their rent because of the coronavirus pandemic. People affected by the pandemic are eligible for help if their household income is less than 80 percent of the median income in their area. They can qualify for two-and-a-half months of rent under the newly created Fresh Start program...

On Veterans Day, we pause to honor the selfless sacrifice of the men and women who wore our nation’s uniform and renew our obligation to care for these brave individuals. They’ve given their best to our nation and deserve our best in return. An important part of this mission is providing timely and quality healthcare. It is exciting to see improvements for these services in Arkansas and it is something I continue to focus on in the U.S. Senate...

When we talk about ways to foster long-term economic growth, ensuring that Arkansans are prepared for well-paying jobs must be among our top concerns. Career and technical schools offer specialized training that prepares students for careers in skilled trades, applied sciences and more. We are blessed to have a number of exceptional programs in Arkansas that put students on the path to future success...

At the beginning of this year, there were more than 2,000 licensed child care programs in Arkansas. They had slots for 194,000 children. By mid-April, about half the facilities had closed. Although most have been able to re-open, as of early October at least 20 had closed permanently. They had slots for more than 1,140 children...

A vote for roads is a vote for community It’s no secret that good roads are vital to community growth. As the Executive Director of the Northeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal, I see first-hand how important infrastructure is to industry recruitment, jobs and overall economic health of rural areas...

The legislature has begun budget hearings, in preparation for the regular session that begins in January. Setting spending levels for state agencies is the most time-consuming duty for legislators. It also is one of the most important duties of the legislature, even though it rarely generates a lot of publicity...

In this year’s election, Arkansas voters will determine the outcome of three proposed amendments to the state Constitution. If approved by voters, Issue One would make permanent the current half-cent sales tax that pays for highway construction and maintenance. In 2010, Arkansas voters approved spending the revenue from a half-cent sales tax on road work, and that tax is scheduled to expire in 2023...

The courageous tradition of public safety is carried out by Arkansans who are dedicated to maintaining law and order. It takes a special person to put his or her life on the line every day to serve and protect a community. We are fortunate to have some of the very best law enforcement officers in the Natural State. Across the country we’ve seen attacks against law enforcement officers. Tragically, this has recently touched our state...

Decisions regarding our state budget show the priorities we make as a state. The budget-making process has a direct impact on everything from classrooms to health care. Budget hearings began Tuesday, Oct. 13, and are scheduled to conclude Nov. 1. The Joint Budget Committee sits with the Arkansas Legislative Committee as voting participants in the hearings, creating the Arkansas Legislative Council/Joint Budget Committee...

In this year’s election, Arkansas voters will determine the outcome of three proposed amendments to the state Constitution. If approved by voters, Issue One would make permanent the current half-cent sales tax that pays for highway construction and maintenance. In 2010, Arkansas voters approved spending the revenue from a half-cent sales tax on road work, and that tax is scheduled to expire in 2023...

October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. By communicating with kids about how cannabis affects the developing brain, parents and educators can help keep kids substance-free. In 2019, nearly 12 percent of eighth grade students reported using marijuana in the past year and almost seven percent used marijuana in the past 30 days. ...

Dear Editor, Hello to all Northern Arkansans! It’s Elaine again, along with my trusty dog, Elsa, and we’re getting more and more exhausted with all the distressing news that’s beset us this year, including the ongoing COVID pandemic, the West Coast apocalyptic fires, and the violent riots in the streets (not to be confused with the peaceful protests by those exercising their first amendment rights of free speech). ...

For every dollar of general revenue coming into the state, 41% is spent on K-12 public schools. Approximately, half of all school district revenues come from the state. Our current process of determining the amount of state funding for our schools goes back to 2003. The Public School Funding Act of 2003 develops per-pupil funding amounts by assigning costs to various educational inputs...

Arkansas legislators approved using $165 million in federal relief funds to shore up the state unemployment insurance trust fund. Legislative leadership approved an emergency request to allocate the $165 million in order to prevent increases in rates that businesses have to pay into the fund to keep it solvent...

Congress worked together to provide quick relief to families, businesses and the medical community in the early stages of the COVID-19 health emergency. Americans are relying on lawmakers to continue delivering assistance to help them meet the challenges they face as a result of this crisis...

Unfortunately each Election Day, many would-be first-time voters in Arkansas do not have their votes counted because they are not actually registered to vote. The deadline to register to vote in the November election is October 5. The postmark on a mail-in application will be considered the submission date...

When the House of Representatives unveiled its short-term funding bill, key priorities were inexplicably left out. I should stress from the outset that governing by short-term extensions is far from a preferable option. Congress should pass individual funding bills each year to avoid the chronic budget uncertainty that makes it difficult to plan ahead. This is the best way to reduce government spending, balance our budget and prioritize the needs of federal agencies...

Arkansas cities and counties that have been hit hard by the economic impact of the coronavirus can apply for help, after legislators approved the use of $150 million for relief grants. Cities and counties can apply online for expense reimbursements, with a total limit for the 499 municipalities in Arkansas set at $75 million. The total limit for the state’s 75 counties will be the same amount...

Unfortunately, Covid-19 is still with us and cases in Sharp County have not ceased to be. What the cooler months of the year will bring we don’t know. However, keep wearing masks, practice social distancing, and appropriate hygiene. Hopefully, the advent of a vaccine will help us turn the corner and we can approach this disease as we currently do the flu. ...

Every year thousands of Americans die by suicide, leaving behind friends and family to navigate the tragedy of loss. In 2019, more than 500 Arkansans died by suicide. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This is a time to share resources and stories in an effort to shed light on this stigmatized topic...

Before this year, the legislature had already laid the groundwork for expansions of broadband capability in education and health care. In response to the changing needs of schools and businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, legislators have accelerated the pace of projects that expand broadband access in rural Arkansas and in small towns...

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. With passage of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, the Senate has taken action to pave a new path forward in suicide prevention and implement an improved strategy to give hope and purpose to veterans who live with invisible injuries. This comprehensive bill will connect more veterans to mental healthcare services to show them their best days are ahead...

As students begin the new school year, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that summer meal program operators can continue serving free meals to all children until the end of the calendar year. Secretary Perdue’s announcement extends U.S. ...

County clerks are preparing for a sharp increase in the number of absentee ballots that they expect to be turned in for the November 3 general election. The governor issued an executive order in early August that cleared up questions about voting absentee if you have concerns about appearing in person at your polling place, because of the coronavirus...

With more Arkansans working and learning remotely in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus, the issue of broadband access has become increasingly relevant. Yet as broadband access becomes more necessary to normal modern life, there is growing concern about a digital divide, whereby some areas are cut off from opportunities for distance learning and economic development by a lack of adequate broadband service. ...

Dear Editor and Highland School District Voters: Positive community support is needed Sept. 8 in the Special Election simply to continue the current millage rate. NO taxes will increase; however, programs and personnel will be at risk if we do not maintain what we are currently paying (the lowest in the region). ...

Dear Editor and Patrons of HSD: The Highland School District NEEDS YOUR POSITIVE ATTENTION to the Special Election on Sept. 8, 2020, to maintain the current revenue base. Your vote of support is crucial to continuing the programs of excellence established by over five decades of educational efforts. ...

Because of COVID-19, school will look different this year, and so will transportation. The Arkansas Department of Education’s transportation directors are taking the utmost measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on buses. These measures include regularly disinfecting the buses and implementing requirements for students to wear masks and socially distance while riding the bus...

Arkansas teachers and students are beginning the most challenging school year in living memory. Last March schools were forced to close because of the spread of the coronavirus, a decision that affected more than 470,000 students and 33,000 teachers...

“To protect and improve the health and well-being of all Arkansans.” This is the mission statement that our state’s new Secretary of Health, Dr. Jose Romero, will strive to meet as he takes the reins at the Arkansas Department of Health. Running the Department of Health is far from an easy task. My brother held the post in the early 2000’s, and I remember the many challenges he faced during his tenure. Those trials become significantly harder in the midst of a public health emergency...

Beginning in-person school again in Arkansas is not easy. A lot has changed since March 2020. Everyone has a lot of questions.  In an effort to help answer questions from educators and parents, the Arkansas Department of Education has made new resources available...

Things are beginning to go back to normal as businesses begin to reopen, and people start going back to normal life. Have you been in self-isolation with a loved one who struggles with substance abuse? If your answer is yes, you need to stay aware of their behavior. ...

The Transportation Department is upgrading its web site to make it easier for Arkansas drivers to follow the progress of highway construction projects. At a recent meeting, the Highway Commission Review and Advisory Subcommittee went over some changes recommended by a private consultant, specifically about the Transportation Department’s communications with the public on the status of construction projects...

As Arkansans work to protect the health of their family and friends, juggle school and childcare needs, and face challenging household finances, the list of things to worry about during the COVID-19 public health emergency seems endless. In addition, at a time when we all have a lot of questions, many of the places we normally turn to find answers are different than usual.  ...

With children headed back to school this month, now is the perfect time for many families to get caught up on immunizations. The summer of 2020 may be more critical than previous summers, as there is a concern that immunizations have declined in recent months due to the pandemic. ...

More than 28,000 Arkansas residents work in the forest products industry, cutting trees, producing paper and pulp, manufacturing furniture and shipping wood products across the world. The majority of those jobs are in rural areas. They support ancillary occupations that bring the annual payroll of forestry-related occupations to $1.7 billion. The value of standing timber is estimated to be more than $12.6 billion...

Over two-thirds of American children have all available parents in the workforce. At the height of the economic shutdown that resulted from the COVID-19 public health emergency, over 800 child care providers in Arkansas closed their doors.  A March survey of Arkansas child care centers by the National Association for the Education of Young Children found that 32 percent would not survive closing for more than two weeks without significant public investment...