Opinion

Monthly revenue reports help to give us a picture of the state’s economy.  The reports show us if Arkansans are making more, spending more, and if businesses are doing well. Recent reports have created an optimistic outlook. Five months into the fiscal year, general revenue for the state continues to exceed expectations. ...

Can I change my Medicare Advantage Plan after the deadline? Hello Toni: I recently attended a Medicare Advantage meeting because my Medicare Supplement Plan F is costing me $220 a month and was going to join. A friend introduced me to your articles explaining the different parts and plans of Medicare. Now I am having second thoughts...

More than 2,000 people attended a series of meetings that the legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Retirement held in 11 cities across Arkansas earlier this fall. Estimates are that about half of those in attendance were members of the state Teacher Retirement System...

Why do you invest? For many people, here’s the answer: “I invest because I want to enjoy a comfortable retirement.” And that’s certainly a great reason, because all of us should regularly put money away for when we’re retired. But you can also benefit by investing in your family and your community...

Typically when a bill is passed in the state legislature, if it does not have an emergency clause, it will take effect 90 days after we adjourn.  But there are occasions when a specific date is written into the bill. This year, we passed several bills that will take effect January 1, 2020. These impact everything from auto insurance to tax brackets...

The legislature created the Arkansas Trauma System 10 years ago, with passage of Act 393 of 2009. The trauma system directs emergency responders to the closest hospital that provides the care needed by the trauma victim. That is not always the closest hospital...

Hopefully, you have recovered from the Thanksgiving meal and survived Black Friday shopping. Although, there may be some leftover turkey and sale bargains are still available locally and online. Certainly online shopping has increased these past few years and now the state, counties and cities are receiving the tax benefits from items purchased online where in the past such purchases were not taxed. ...

As the most popular shopping days of the year are upon Arkansans, scam artists are proactively searching for opportunities to steal your identity, money and personal information. Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has identified best practices that will be rolled out throughout the week for consumers that can be used during the entire holiday season...

Arkansas is one of 16 states whose legislators are working to help families gain access to medical care for a debilitating disorder that can afflict children after a bout of strep throat. It is a neuroimmune disorder commonly known as PANDAS, which stands for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections. Symptoms may include trouble sleeping, loss of math skills and handwriting skills and severe separation anxiety...

The judicial process deserves respect, but so do those that come to monitor cases of interest, especially when those cases are high profile and of great interest to the public. In this particular case, I am referring to the Rebecca O’Donnell case, one seemingly surrounded in what appears to be some semblance of secrecy under the guise of privacy or preservation of evidence...

2020 Medicare costs and Part B premiums are rising! Reader Alert: Effective Oct. 1, the new Medicare.gov Medicare plan finder was released. The Medicare plan finder has serious flaws and navigating this site is not easy. Please call your congressman or local TV stations to report on this issue. ...

This week we want to remind you of an important deadline approaching all Arkansans. On October 1, 2020, anyone who boards a domestic flight or enters a federal building will either need a REAL ID driver’s license (DL) or Identification Card (ID) or will need to provide a regular identification and additional accepted forms of identification...

As you’re well aware, we’ve seen some sudden and sizable drops in the financial markets in 2019. While market volatility is nothing new, the recent plunges happened during a period of general political and economic unease. Still, it can be harmful to overreact to such events – especially if it means making radical changes to your 401(k)...

Under 65, what should I do during Medicare annual period (aka open enrollment)? Toni, I turn 65 next March, and I’m overwhelmed by all of the mail I am getting this year for Medicare Annual Enrollment. What do I do? All the mail from all the companies say theirs is the best, but they all offer the same thing. If I don’t do something at the right time everybody says I’ll get a penalty that will last the rest of my life...

On average, an Arkansan with a bachelor’s degree will earn $700,000 more in a 30 year career than those who drop out of college.  The gap climbs to $1.5 million for those with a doctorate. This information is included in the 2018 Economic Security Report which was presented this week to the Arkansas Legislative Council Higher Education Sub-Committee...

Earlier this month the state Crime Lab opened a new facility in Lowell, in northwest Arkansas. The opening will speed forensic testing and chemical analysis for law enforcement agencies in the region. It also will relieve pressure on the backlog of cases in the main Crime Lab in Little Rock and the Regional Laboratory in Hope...

How can I leave Medicare Advantage Plan and return to original Medicare? Toni: Last year, I made a mistake and changed to a Medicare Advantage Plan because I understood from talking with my friends that this PPO plan has an in-network and out of network provider and facility list. I was led to believe that a Medicare Advantage PPO plan was like a Medicare Supplement...

A 2017 study titled “Indicators of School Crime and Safety,” published by the United States Department of Justice and the United States Department of Education, reported that 20% of students ages 12-18 reported being bullied at school during the previous school year...

Dak Kees, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, recently brought federal charges against a Texarkana doctor after an investigation uncovered that he prescribed over 1.2 million dosages of opioids to over 15,000 patients over a two-year period...

The annual report cards for Arkansas public schools has been released by the state Education Department, and they show improvement over last year. More schools earned an A grade and fewer schools were labeled with an F. The number of schools getting an A went up by 11 percent, and the number of schools getting an F went down by 14 percent...

Leaving company benefits … Do I need Part B when choosing COBRA? Dear Toni: When should someone apply for Medicare when enrolling in COBRA? Is it wrong to wait until you are no longer on COBRA to enroll in Medicare Part B? Thanks, George from Kerrville, TX...

Tourism in Arkansas grew at a healthy rate last year, whether it’s measured in total spending or how many people visited the state or how many jobs are supported by the travel industry. An official report was released detailing the role of tourism on the state economy, and the secretary of Parks, Heritage and Tourism called it a “banner year of growth for Arkansas’s tourism industry.”...

In 2016 in Arkansas, a total of 2,226 women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and 400 women died from the disease. Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women.  October is breast cancer awareness month. This is an opportunity to remind Arkansans of the importance of mammograms for early detection and life style changes that could help prevent cancer...

Hopefully you have visited Casey’s which recently celebrated its grand opening. This is a welcome addition to our city and I encourage all residents to support it. Having Casey’s locate to our city was introduced to me by one of our residents during my first year in office. ...

Does enrolling in a Medicare Supplement cancel a Medicare Advantage Plan? Toni: Last year during Medicare’s Annual Enrollment, both me and my husband qualified for a Medicare Supplement Plan G over the phone from a telemarketing call. The supplement has never paid a dime! We are still having to use the same doctor and get referrals from our Medicare Advantage HMO. We can’t get the Medicare Supplement to pay because no one advised us how to stop the Medicare Advantage plan...

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. I’ve made reducing the rate of suicide, particularly among veterans in Arkansas and around the country, one of my top priorities. Our men and women who are serving or have served in uniform suffer a disproportionately higher rate of suicide compared to the general population. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that more than 20 veterans die by suicide daily. ...

In Arkansas, one in four women and one in nine men, will be the victim of domestic abuse in their lifetime. In 2018, 44 Arkansans died as a result of domestic violence. Domestic violence occurs among all types of families, regardless of income, profession, region, ethnicity, educational level or race...

The joint Senate and House Committees on Public Health, Welfare and Labor approved a study proposal to combat the dramatic increase in teenagers’ use of vaping products, also known as e-cigarettes. Also last week, the President Pro Tem of the Senate released a draft version of proposed legislation to restrict and tax vaping products in the same way that smoking is restricted and taxed. ...

Medicare annual enrollment: What do I do? Dear Toni, This is my first Medicare annual enrollment and I don’t know anything about this process? Which program is good, and which one is not? I do have some health problems and am concerned I am making the correct choice. Which Medicare health plan should I change to and should I change my Medicare Prescription drug plan? I will really appreciate your help...

The effort to develop a skilled workforce continues to build momentum in all corners of Arkansas. This statewide endeavor to promote workforce development and career and technical training programs is a priority. It is part of the key to a prosperous future for the Natural State...

By April 1, 2020, each of you will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Responding to the census will be easier than ever, as this will be the first time you can respond online. The Constitution mandates that the country conduct a count of its population once every 10 years. The 2020 Census will mark the 24th time that the country has counted its population since 1790...

In 2017 the legislature approved the creation of four crisis stabilization units (CSU), where police officers can bring people who are experiencing a severe mental health episode. In the past, many people undergoing a mental health crisis were locked up in a local jail. Their condition often worsened, because they were not getting treatment and did not have access to medication. Jail staff were not trained to respond to their needs...

Toni Says® Tips for Medicare Open Enrollment 6 weeks until Tuesday, Oct. 15 - Medicare Open/Annual Enrollment Toni: I just received a phone call saying there is a federal law that I change my Medicare during Medicare’s Open Enrollment? The Toni Says® office helped us with our Medicare decision in January when my husband retired from his job of 30+ years. ...

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences received a grant of $4.6 million to boost its program to encourage primary care physicians to practice in rural areas. UAMS, the state’s main medical school, has eight regional campuses around the state. They will partner with the UAMS College of Medicine and its Department of Family and Preventive Medicine...

In the United States, someone dies by suicide every 11.1 minutes. In Arkansas, someone dies by suicide, on average, every 14 hours. Suicide is not inevitable for anyone. By starting the conversation, providing support, and directing help to those who need it, we can prevent suicides and save lives...

In Arkansas, there are on average 71 billion gallons of water flowing in rivers, 4.8 trillion gallons in lakes and 200 trillion gallons in the ground. Our state is abundant with water resources and much of our economy depends on it. It is estimated Arkansans use 157 gallons of water every day...

Are you prepared for the unexpected? Hi Toni: Recently, I had a bad car wreck and ended up with only a minor concussion from hitting the windshield and my wife was not hurt. I am 55 years old and have not even thought about future planning. I work for a large company and the company’s financial advisor has never discussed this with me...

Back to school in Arkansas means that more than 6,000 buses will transport 350,000 students to and from school. It also means that motorists need to remember that it is against the law to pass a stopped school bus that has its red lights flashing. That’s when children are getting on or off the bus...

It took longer than planned but the exercise stations on the Tohi Trail have been completely installed and are ready for use. When using these stations, read the directions for each station so you can receive the full benefit of each exercise. Additionally, do not engage in anything that the station is not designed to do in order to avoid personal injury. ...

Dear Editor, Highland School District is reaching out to the registered voters of our school district. On Tuesday, Aug. 13 we will be holding a special election and we are requesting our voters to vote for 4.0 new debt service property tax mills. This would also extend the existing 5.0 debt service mills. The millage is currently at 30.0 and the new total millage rate will be 34.0 mills if approved...

Most students in Arkansas public schools head back to the classroom the second week of August. From recess to reading, there are several pieces of legislation passed in the most recent session which will impact the upcoming school year. Below are some, but not all, of the acts taking effect this year...

A new law requiring stricter labeling of food products has placed Arkansas in the middle of an international dispute over truth in labeling. Legislators approved Act 501 of 2019 to require truth in labeling of food products, and to prohibit labeling vegetable-based products as “bacon” or “burgers.”...

As most already know, the opiate epidemic has been worsening, each year claiming more lives than the last. What is less known by the general public is the problem with Methamphetamines has been growing over the last several years as well. In the most recent data from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, it was found an estimated 964,000 people age 12 or older had a methamphetamine use disorder. ...