CFC Priorities moving forward at the Capitol.

Dear Friend,

A lot has happened at the Capitol this week, as your legislators work to get through the 2350 bills filed by April 1st.

We support SB750, the Governor’s prison reform bill, which creates a more humane and effective corrections system while lowering costs by reducing sentences for drug possession and other first-time non-violent offenses, improving the parole process, drug treatment, and other transitional services to help ex-inmates reintegrate into society. SB750 has passed both the Senate and the House!

HB1002, the irresponsible capital gains tax cut which would have cost the state $68 million per year failed to pass out of the Senate Revenue and Tax committee!

The House and Senate leadership have come to an agreement with the Governor on the other tax cuts which have been proposed. They have agreed to support:

A CFC Priority - HB1056, to correct a mistake from 4 years ago that excluded single parents with two or more kids living in poverty from the income tax exemption created for low-income families.

SB276, the 1/2 cent grocery tax reduction, which we support.

HB1421, to increase and extend the geotourism tax credit for the Delta area, which we support.

SB274, to increase the sales tax exemption on used cars to $4000.

SB275, to lower the sales tax on utilities used by by manufacturers, which we oppose, and

HB1369, the "back to school" sales tax holiday.

We support SB65 to make it easier to keep kids covered by ARKids First health insurance. This bill passed the Senate on Wednesday, and is now in the House Public Health Committee.

We support HB1903 to promote the efficient use of water in the state and support the development of a state water plan that protects water quality and conserves Arkansas’ natural resources. HB1903 passed the House on Thursday, and is now in the Senate Agriculture committee.

Things are moving fast at the Capitol now. Many of the bills we support will be coming up very soon. Help us build a better Arkansas:

• Keep an eye out for updates,
   
• Contact your legislators, and
   
• Join us Thursday, March 24th for the Youth Lobby Day
  Breakfast with your legislators at 7:30 at the Capitol Hill Apartments

The Citizens First Congress is a grassroots coalition of 49 community groups from across Arkansas that works on progressive reform at the Arkansas Legislature.

• Improve opportunities to learn for all students.
• Expand the ARKids First health insurance program.
• Require the oil and gas industry to follow best management practices.
• Oppose state-level immigration reform.
• Support fair tax reform.
• Implement fair energy policies.
• Develop a new state water plan.
• Support the DREAM Act.
• Increase penalties for wage theft.
• Reform prison sentencing practices.

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