CITIZENS GROUP RELEASES 2009 LEGISLATIVE VOTE GUIDE


Little Rock – The Arkansas Citizens First Congress today released its 2009 Community Guide to the Arkansas Legislative Session detailing how Arkansas lawmakers voted on 41 pieces of legislation of special importance to the Congress and the state’s working families. The report also scores legislators on how they voted on the Congress’ "Ten Priorities for a Better Arkansas" which included issues ranging from environmental responsibility and improved education to the creation of a fair tax system.

"The Arkansas Citizens First Congress began this legislative session with a specific set of priorities that affect working Arkansans," said Bruce Lockett, Co-Chair of the Congress. "These priorities were the product of months of hard work by Congress members from across the state and represent the true meaning of political involvement."

Beginning with seven issue caucuses that meet between legislative sessions to develop strategies, discuss issues and build agendas on agriculture, civil rights, economic justice, education reform, the environment, government and election reform, and public health; the Congress ultimately moves toward a statewide convention where delegates present issues they want the Congress to endorse. Those issues are considered, discussed, debated and voted on to determine that year’s Ten Priorities for a Better Arkansas.

Of the ten priorities set by the Congress’ membership, several were passed into law:

• closing the education achievement gap,
• improving energy policy to address global warming and save consumers money,
• ensuring workers’ claims are heard when employers steal wages, and
• creating conservation easements to help private landowners protect critical wetland habitats.

Although improvements were made in some areas, others require still more work. For example, the Congress’ education and energy policies are much stronger today than they were prior to the session, but there is still more change needed.

"We view our work as an ongoing process," said Rubye Emerson Co-Chair of the Congress. "We are continually examining our successes for opportunities to improve them. And at the same time we are adamantly pursuing those issues we did not see success with, such as creating a fairer tax system, advancing the Dream Act, strengthening civil rights laws and improving HIV-AIDS prevention and treatment for minorities."

During the session, hundreds of the organization’s members got involved in the process, by calling and emailing legislators, assisting with research and actually coming to the Capitol to lobby their own senators and representatives. In total, over 70 organizations and 500 people helped to build our 2008 legislative agenda.

The Arkansas Citizens First Congress monitored all 2,285 bills filed during the 88-day session. Details on many other bills, such as the important new Task Force on Poverty supported by Advocates for Children and Families, are included in this guide. The report highliights bills and scores legislators by issue areas: Agriculture, Civil Rights, Economic Justice, Education, Environment, Government and Election Reform, and Public Health.  More information, including a copy of the full report is available on our website at www.CitizensFirst.org.