It's almost over! It's time to make our final push to stop bad bills – like SB71 & SB495 – from passing and to elevate our priority legislation.
SB71, which will end affirmative action in Arkansas, is scheduled to be heard THIS MONDAY afternoon in House State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs Committee in Room 151.
SB71 has already passed the Senate, and we need your help to stop this racist, sexist, ableist bill!
Let's keep flooding Representatives with calls and emails, telling them to VOTE NO on SB71!
♦️Leave a message for your Representative at 501-682-6211
♦️ Find more information & House State Agencies Committee member contact info at www.citizensfirst.org/stopsb71.
STOP SB495
Increase of Mass Incarceration
SB495: To Create The Protect Arkansas Act; To Amend Arkansas Law Concerning Sentencing And Parole; To Amend Arkansas Law Concerning Certain Criminal Offenses; And To Create The Legislative Recidivism Reduction Task Force.
Sponsor: Senator Ben Gilmore (R), 91 other republican co-sponsors
Summary: This bill will have devastating consequences on the criminal punishment system in Arkansas. It's a trojan horse that will vastly expand the rate of incarceration when state prisons are already overcrowded. The goals of reducing crowding and making people serve longer sentences are contradictory and expensive.
SB495 deems some people unredeemable by virtue of their conviction and denies them the opportunity for rehabilitation. It drastically dismantles the parole system in its current form.
Current Status: This bill was filed MONDAY and is being rushed through, having already passed in committee in the full Senate this week.
Call to Action: Tell your representatives to VOTE NO on SB495!
♦️Call the House of Representative message board: 501-682-6211
♦️Email & call House Judiciary Committee members. Find contact info here.
CFC PRIORITY LEGISLATION:
End Juvenile Fines & Fees
HB1754: To Amend Arkansas Law Concerning Certain Fees, Expenses, And Costs Imposed On A Juvenile Or The Parent, Guardian, Or Custodian Of A Juvenile.
Sponsor: Rep. Grant Hodges (R)
Summary: This bill would eliminate fines and fees for youth under the criminal court jurisdiction and end collection on existing debt from pas juvenile fines and fees.
Why It Matters: These court-imposed youth fines/fees create educational barriers, with many youth missing classes or dropping out of school to help earn money to pay off fees. Youth also report feeling anxious and depressed, believing the system is working against them.
In 2019, only 32% of fines/fees were collected with most families being too poor to pay.
Current Status: It's scheduled to be heard in the House Aging, Children & Youth, Legislative & Military Affairs Committee at 10 a.m. Monday, April 3 in Room 130 of the State Capitol.
Call to Action: Tell your lawmakers to help Arkansas families and youth by supporting HB1754!
♦️Call the House of Representative message board: 501-682-6211
♦️Call the Senate message board: 501-682-2902
Watch Friday's Webinar here!
End the Uyghur Genocide Project
This week's webinar highlighted the work of Arkansas high school students with Citizens First Congress to advocate for end of the Uyghur genocide in China.
Their resolution SR34 passed the Senate this week! It encourages the State of Arkansas to refrain from contracting with companies or entities that benefit from Uyghur forced labor.
For more information, visit the youth-led End the Uyghur Genocide project website here.