It been another great week for bad bills in Arkansas. Making national news, the Governor signed into law the LEARNS Act (aka the biggest voucher scheme in the country) and HB1410, which weakens our state's child labor laws.
This Wednesday, we joined Little Rock Central High students as they spoke truth to power at their protest against the Arkansas LEARNS Act on the Capitol steps.
Let's keep standing up for our children, our educators and quality public education for all! We continue to work hard on these issues and will share more action measures soon.
Other Bills We're Watching
Attempt to End Affirmative Action UPDATE
SB71 would criminalize any action by governmental entities that considers race, gender, ethnicity or nationality.
The bill made it through the Senate on Thursday by a 18-12 vote. Along with the democrats, all the republican female senators and two republican male senators voted against SB71.
SB71 is scheduled to be heard THIS MONDAY (May 13) afternoon in the House State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs Committee after the full House adjourns.
Call To Action: Tell Arkansas Representatives to VOTE NO on SB71!
House of Representative Message Board: 501-682-6211
Find House State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs Committee members' emails and phone numbers here.
Further Info: Watch the Arkansas Public Policy Panel's webinar on SB71 here. Read "White men in Arkansas Senate vote to criminalize state consideration of race, gender"
Free Meals at Schools
SB308 – To Create A Means By Which Students Who Qualify For Reduced-price Meals At School Receive Free Meals At School.
Lead Sponsor: Senator Jonathan Dismang (R)
CFC Stance: Support
Summary: This bill would provide free school meals for any child who qualifies for reduced-price meals, primarily through federal funds appropriated to the Department of Education for a child nutrition program.
Current Status: Re-referred on March 9 to the Senate Education Committee.
Why so many "Election Integrity" bills?
Throughout this legislative session, 30+ bills aimed at strengthening Arkansas "election integrity" have been filed. That sounds like a good thing right? Well, when you consider that election fraud is next to non-existent in Arkansas, you have to step back and wonder why they are proposing these laws. Most of these bills do very little, but some will have a very real, negative impact.
Take a look at HB1419, which was passed this week. This will makes it nearly impossible for the average citizen to engage in direct democracy through ballot initiatives. The thing this legislature fears the most is the people voting, that's why they want to legislate that power away or scare you into not voting. No bill reflects the latter better than HB1513:
HB1513: To Create the Election Integrity Unit within the Attorney General's Office.
Lead Sponsor: Rep. Austin Mccollum (R)
CFC Stance: Oppose
Summary: This bill would increase the power and authority of the Attorney General, who is an elected partisan official, and diminish the power of the State Board of Election Commissioners, who are appointed and operate outside of political concerns.Why It Matters: It would further politicize "election integrity" in Arkansas under the guise of stopping election fraud, which is rare in Arkansas (3 cases since the year 2000). This bill takes us one step further to reaching the peak of full partisan control of our election.
Current Status: Passed House State Agencies Committee and awaiting a vote from the full House.