Economic Update - April 2

VICTORY FOR WORKERS – HB1576 by Rep. Lindsley Smith is now ACT622!  It gives the Arkansas Department of Labor more authority to go after employers who steel wages from employees.  Our thanks to the AFL-CIO and many other groups for their help passing the bill.

HB1378 by Rep. Maxwell provides income tax relief to single parents whose income is below the Federal Poverty Line.  It passed the House 98-2 and is now in the Senate Revenue and Tax Committee.  The bleak new state budget figures may jeopardize this bill (but the tax break for big corporations already passed!)  Call your members of the Senate Revenue and Tax Committee.

HB1464 by Rep. Nickels to raise the state minimum wage up to the federal minimum wage passed the House 67-27 and it’s now in the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee.  The bill is currently ONE vote short of passing and the Senators who are not committed to supporting it are: Gilbert Baker of Conway, Barbara Horn of Foreman (district includes Texarkana and Stamps), Bill Pritchard of Elkins, and Cecile Bledsoe of Rogers.  Call these legislators and ask them to VOTE YES on HB1464 to raise the Arkansas Minimum wage to the Federal level.