CFC Update - February 23

Dear Friend,

Thanks to your calls and participation, HB1292 to prohibit state benefits to undocumented immigrants failed to pass out of committee this afternoon, after four hours of debate! You can see video of the committee meeting and testimony here and here.

HB1008, the "anti" DREAM Act, failed to receive the votes necessary to "remove it from the table" in the House Education Committee on Tuesday. This is at least a temporary success! However, it could be brought up again at any time. The same language is also in HB1292.

We are supporting a package of several bills on regulating natural gas drilling in the Fayetteville Shale area. Natural gas drilling brings economic opportunity to Arkansas, but it also threatens property rights and the land, air and water that we depend on. Drilling must be done responsibly to protect Arkansas' people, land and water. Find out ways that we can support responsible natural gas drilling.

Find out more about shale gas drilling in the Arkansas Public Policy Panel's report, "Arkansas in the Balance."

We oppose HB1450 for CO2 storage. Climate change requires CO2 sequestration, but HB1450 is the wrong way to do it. It puts too much liability on the state and does little to protect the public. The House Insurance and Commerce committee is currently discussing the bill. They will meet again next Wednesday; tell them why HB1450 is not the right way to deal with CO2 storage!

And don't forget about our Education Lobby Day tomorrow!

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

Our Ten Priorities for a Better Arkansas for the 2011 Arkansas Legislature are:

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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Arkansas Public Policy Panel
1308 W. 2nd St.
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
US

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CFC Update - February 23

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