Board of Corrections votes to accept land for planned prison

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

The Arkansas Board of Corrections (BOC) on Friday (Nov. 8) voted to accept the land for a planned 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County. The move comes after considerable protest from county residents and Arkansas legislators who represent the area.

Six of the seven-member BOC voted to accept the land, with one member abstaining.

Gov. Sarah Sanders, Arkansas Department of Corrections Secretary Lindsay Wallace, Arkansas Board of Corrections Chairman Benny Magness, and other state and local officials announced Oct. 31 that the state has purchased land north of Charleston in Franklin County to build the prison. The cost for the 815 acres was $2.9 million.

More than 1,800 area residents attended a town hall Thursday to ask questions about the prison and push back against it being built in Franklin County.

Board of Corrections votes to accept land for planned prison

Sanders Signs an Executive Order Concerning Food Insecurity in Arkansas

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS COME – GREETINGS: 

E.O. 24-18: EXECUTIVE ORDER CONCERNING FOOD INSECURITY IN ARKANSAS
 
WHEREAS: According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Arkansas has the highest level of food insecurity in the nation. In Arkansas, 567,110 people are facing hunger, and of that number, 168,430 are children. According to Feeding America, that is 1 in 5 Arkansans and 1 in 4 Arkansas children. It’s clear that our state is in critical need of comprehensive solutions to address these sobering statistics and ensure that all Arkansans have access to sufficient and nutritious food.
 
WHEREAS: It is the policy of my administration to increase the efficiency of state government to better serve the citizens of Arkansas. The State of Arkansas can help meet the current needs of Arkansans by identifying regulatory burdens that may hinder state agencies from contributing to the fight against hunger.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, I, SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS, acting under the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Arkansas, do hereby order the following:

1. All department secretaries are directed to conduct a thorough review of the regulations, policies, and procedures of their agencies to identify any items that may be contributing to or exacerbating food insecurity in Arkansas. This includes, but is not limited to, regulations related to food distribution, eligibility criteria for food assistance programs, and interagency coordination.

2. Department secretaries shall submit a report to the Governor’s Office within 60 days of the issuance of this Executive Order. The report should detail any identified unnecessary regulatory burdens, their impacts on food insecurity, and recommendations for repeal or amendment.

3. Based on the reports submitted, the Governor’s Office will direct departments to develop a plan for repealing or amending regulations that impede efforts to reduce food insecurity.

4. The Governor’s Office will facilitate collaboration among the departments to ensure that regulatory changes are effectively implemented and that departments are aligned in their efforts to combat food insecurity.

5. This Executive Order shall become effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect until the completion of the actions ordered herein.  

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and cause the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas to be affixed this 29th day of October, in the year of our Lord 2024.

Sanders Appoints Gary Arnold to the Arkansas State Board of Education

Gary Arnold - LinkedIn Image

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. –Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced that she has appointed Gary Arnold to serve on the Arkansas State Board of Education. This is Governor Sanders’ third appointment to the Board of Education. Arnold, whose term will expire on June 30, 2027, is replacing Steve Sutton.

“Gary is a longtime education leader and was one of our key allies in the LEARNS implementation process as part of the Rules and Regulations Taskforce,” said Governor Sanders. “With the help of Gary’s careful stewardship, the first school year with Arkansas LEARNS was a huge success, and the second year is shaping up to be even better. Now parents will have Gary on the Board of Education, fighting for a better Arkansas.”

“The best part of being an educator is learning something new every day. If we’re honest, we’re all students for life. Always learning. Always growing. Always getting better. That drives ADE’s vision for Arkansas to be a national leader in student-centered education,” said Gary Arnold. “I’m honored to now be on this team and I look forward to helping champion Governor Sanders’ bold reforms. Together, we’re taking Arkansas to the top.”

Gary Arnold Bio:
Gary Arnold currently serves as the Director of Head of School Certification at The Council on Educational Standards and Accountability (CESA) and as the Founder and Partner at NextEd, LLC. Before this role, Gary spent 16 years leading an independent school in Central Arkansas. During the LEARNS implementation process, Gary served on the Rules and Regulations Taskforce.

Gary began his career in education serving as the Head of School at the Trinity School of Cape Cod. Since then, he has served in numerous school leadership positions in Massachusetts, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Arkansas. In addition to his professional life, Gary has been a longtime advocate for school choice. For over 20 years, he has served on The Council on American Private Education (CAPE), in Washington, D.C where he now serves on the Executive Committee. Gary has had numerous articles published on leadership and the education landscape. 

Gary is a Wheaton College graduate and holds a doctorate in education from National Louis University in Evanston, Illinois. He is married to his wife Karen and is a father and grandfather.

New Arkansas Education Freedom Account numbers released

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

An annual report accounting for state school voucher money shows that most of the dollars go to students already in a private school, though at slightly lower numbers than the last school year. This is in keeping with the same report data from 2023-2024.

“Education Freedom Account” money is a pile of tax money allocated to private, religious and homeschool students. It is the result of a massive education law known as Arkansas LEARNS, signed into law by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders last year.

A main criticism of the LEARNS EFA program is that funds typically go to children already enrolled in private schools. For the 2023 school year, 95% of the money went to kids already in a private school. For the 2024 school year, that number fell slightly, but 82% of kids were not enrolled in a public school before they received the money. The report says, 90% of the students who received the money last year kept with the program for this school year.

New Arkansas Education Freedom Account numbers released

Sanders, DHS Announce $5 Million to Support Youth Substance Abuse Residential Treatment and Supportive Housing Units for Adults

LITTLE ROCK – Today, Governor Sanders along with the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), announced a combined $5 million in grants to a pair of providers for infrastructure improvements that support youth and adults struggling with mental health, substance abuse, or intellectual disabilities. 

“This announcement builds on my administration’s work to support some of our most vulnerable communities,” said Governor Sanders.“ These grants meet Arkansans in need where they are and puts them on a path to a better life – we will continue working to ensure all our citizens have every opportunity to reach their full potential.”

“The projects supported by these grants will fill gaps in coverage and help deliver better services to youth seeking to transition out of addiction and adults with behavioral health or intellectual disabilities who are reintegrating into their communities,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Putnam. “We are grateful for the support of the Legislature, the Governor’s Office, our partners in the community, and everyone who helped make these grants a reality, and we look forward to seeing these projects take root and begin serving at-risk Arkansans.”

“We are excited to move forward with these investments that support kids and adults struggling with mental health challenges or substance abuse problems,” said DHS Director of Specialty Populations Melissa Weatherton. “The providers that receive these funds will help us complete the continuum of care and allow us to better deliver services to Arkansans in need.”

A $2 million grant for Youth Substance Abuse Residential Treatment Facilities will allow Unity Health in Searcy to expand treatment programs for children and teens struggling with substance abuse disorders. A second grant for Supported Housing Units for Adults will provide $3 million to Independence Care of Arkansas to purchase, renovate, and construct tiny homes as part of a development in Camden for adults transitioning from secure therapeutic settings into the community. 

The youth substance abuse residential treatment facilities grant will result in additional beds for youth residential services at the Unity Health Specialty Campus at 1200 South Main St., which will help fill a need for services for adolescents struggling with both significant acute psychiatric and substance misuse issues. It will represent the first substance use disorder residential treatment unit specifically for adolescents in Arkansas.

The supportive housing units for adults grant will fund the purchase and construction of accessible tiny homes tailored to the needs of individuals with disabilities, mental health challenges, or substance abuse problems. Independence Care of Arkansas will partner with local health care providers, mental health professionals, and community organizations to deliver services to residents as part of a supportive living community at the Millcreek Mobile Home & RV Park at 101 Ouachita Road 471 in Camden.

Work on both projects must be completed by September 2026, and both grant recipients are required to continue operations of the newly renovated programs for at least five years after completion.

DHS previously awarded $15 million in additional grants tied to this same program. Those grants support infrastructure improvements and expansions for programs tied to community reintegration for children, adult substance abuse residential treatment facilities, supportive housing units for young adults, therapeutic communities for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Governor Sarah Sanders announces Arkansas Farm Tour

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced she will conduct a farm tour on October 14th and 15th, visiting farms and industries that directly support the state’s number one industry—agriculture—in the River Valley and the Delta. On the second day of the tour, the Governor will be joined by U.S. Senator John Boozman, the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

“Arkansas’ farmers, ranchers, producers, and foresters are on the front lines of ensuring our country can feed itself, fuel itself, and fight for itself, making it our state’s leading industry, but the challenges they face from rising costs, overregulation, and foreign adversaries are making it difficult. I want to hear directly from the agricultural community about how we can best support this vital industry,” said Governor Sanders.

“As the lead Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am committed to ensuring the next farm bill is shaped by Arkansas farmers and ranchers so they can continue to deliver a safe and abundant supply of food to the U.S. and beyond,” said Senator Boozman.

Media Advisory:

Members of the media wishing to attend must RSVP toyael.even@governor.arkansas.gov.

B-roll will be available after the event concludes at this link.

USDA Image

Monday, October 14th
Event: Sanders to visit Tyson River Valley Hatchery
When: 9:00 a.m.
Press: Closed
 
Event: Sanders to visit River Valley Tractor
When: 11:15 a.m. (Media should arrive by 11:00 a.m.)
Where: 702 Weir Rd, Russellville, AR 72802  
Press: Open

Event: Sanders to tour Flying C Ranch
When: 1:15 p.m. (Media should arrive by 1:00 p.m.)
Where: 730 Rocky Point Rd, Conway, AR 72032 
Press: Open

Tuesday, October 15th
Event: Sanders and Senator Boozman to visit Bayou Meto Irrigation Project
When: 9:00 a.m. (Media should arrive by 8:45 a.m.)
Where: 7990 Colonel Maynard Rd. Scott, AR 72142 
Press: Open

Event: Sanders and Senator Boozman to visit Grand Prairie Irrigation Project 
When: 11:00 a.m.
Press: Closed

Event: Sanders and Senator Boozman to tour Isbell Farms
When: 12:30 p.m. (Media should arrive by 12:15 p.m.)
Where: 732 Isbell Rd.  England, AR 72046 
Press: Open

Event: Sanders and Senator Boozman to hold a roundtable at Matt Miles’ farm shop
When: 3:30 p.m.
Press: Closed

Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward to lead national group

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward has been elected president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) during the organization’s annual meeting. Ward is the first Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture to hold this position.

“If a country can’t feed itself, fuel itself, or fight for itself, then it can’t survive,” said Gov. Sarah Sanders. “I am thrilled we will serve in this capacity throughout the upcoming year and extend my invitation to the 2025 NASDA Conference, right here in Arkansas. Arkansas farms aren’t just a part of our economy – they’re part of the Arkansas way of life.”

Ward’s term as NASDA president will last through September of next year. He has held several leadership roles within NASDA, including chairman of the Natural Resources and Environmental Committee and former president of the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward to lead national group

Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders delivers remarks at the unveiling of the Johnny Cash statue in Emancipation Hall

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders delivered remarks at the unveiling of the Johnny Cash Statue in Emancipation Hall on Tuesday, September 24th.

The Governor’s remarks as prepared are below:

Johnny Cash - GoodFon Image

It is an honor to be back in our nation’s Capitol to represent Arkansas and honor one of our state’s best-known icons, Johnny Cash. Thank you to Arkansas’ congressional delegation and our congressional leaders for being here.
 
I look out in the crowd and see plenty of friendly faces. Many of you were here last spring when we unveiled Daisy Bates’ statue. I’m glad we’re here again to tell Arkansas’ story.
 
Many of you know that I grew up in politics. But what you may not know is that I also grew up in a musical family.
 
To us – and to just about every other musical family in the South – after God and country came Johnny Cash. Even more than his songs, it’s the image of the man that I remember: the slicked-back hair of his early albums, the seasoned look of his later years. 
 
Perhaps the most iconic: the pictures of Cash at San Quentin and Folsom prisons.
 
Not long ago, my husband and I hosted another Arkansas musician, Zach Williams, at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion. Zach shares some biographical notes with Cash: he too was raised in the Arkansas Delta. He too got his start in rock music before falling into drugs and alcohol.
 
He too found Jesus, quit using, and started writing Christian music. He too now performs in prisons.
 
Zach shared his experience performing with us: looking out in the crowd, seeing inmates with tattoos on their faces and necks. His thought wasn’t, “how am I different from them.” It was, “I could be sitting right there.”
 
Obviously, there are some differences between Zach and Johnny Cash. When Cash visited Folsom Prison, his most famous line was all Man in Black bravado: “I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die.”
 
But Johnny Cash also used to say that he was two people: “Johnny is the nice one. Cash causes all the trouble.” It’s not hard to imagine that he too looked out into that prison crowd and saw a version of himself staring back.
 
Johnny Cash was open about both the struggles and triumphs in his life. He was a hymn-singing Christian. But there were also times when he wrote that he felt like a “walking vision of death.” 
 
That didn’t contradict his image: it was his image. Cash’s first big hit was called “I Walk the Line.” In an era when most musicians’ images were carefully curated, he was open about straddling the border between clean-cut Johnny and cast-down Cash.
 
When so much in today’s world is fake, Johnny Cash was real.
 
Not long ago, I toured Cash’s childhood home in Dyess, Arkansas. I saw the cramped rooms where his parents raised their seven kids. I saw the fields where Johnny and his family worked, picking cotton and singing church music.
 
It was an unspectacular childhood, the same as thousands of other kids in thousands of other little farmhouses in the Delta.
 
But it’s what makes Johnny Cash special. Millions of Americans could look at him, look at his career, look at his success, and still say, “he’s one of us.”
 
Johnny Cash walked the line. It wasn’t a straight line. It was like the Arkansas River: jagged, but always moving forward.
 
We’re a nation of second chances, of constant reinvention, of continuous redemption. Where a singer can start in the cotton fields and eventually perform to stadiums. Where a Christian baptized in the Tyronza River can headline a Billy Graham Crusade.
 
Where a man can defeat his own demons and become a vessel for the Holy Spirit.
 
Johnny Cash was an ordinary man and a superstar, all in one. It’s a story that could only happen in America. And it’s a story that Arkansas – the land of pioneers and patriots – is proud to tell.
 
Thank you to everyone who made this statue and this story possible.
 
May God bless Johnny Cash, and may God bless the great State of Arkansas.

Sanders Announces Sam Dubke as Communications Director

Sam Dubke (courtesy of Sam Dubke)

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced that Sam Dubke will serve as her new Communications Director. Dubke previously served as Sanders’ Deputy Communications Director and Speechwriter.
 
“Sam is an efficient and effective communicator who has been alongside me since I first entered office,” said Governor Sanders. “He brings political and public sector experience and, in his new role, he’ll lead a talented team and continue to help me communicate my bold, conservative agenda to Arkansans across the state.”
 
Sam Dubke Biography:
 
Sam Dubke joined the Governor’s staff as Deputy Communications Director and Speechwriter in February of 2023. Previously, Dubke worked as a speechwriter for Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and on the communications teams for the Youngkin for Governor and Trump 2020 campaigns. Dubke is a Georgetown University graduate.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announces appointees

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the following appointments: 

Arkansas Beef Council

Michael McMillan, Hot Springs Village, to the Arkansas Beef Council.  Term to expire March 30, 2026. Replaces Terry Laster.

Arkansas Catfish Promotion Board

Richard Baxter, Cabot, to the Arkansas Catfish Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026.  Reappointment.

Robert Glennon, Lonoke, to the Arkansas Catfish Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026. Replaces Kenneth Francis.  

Bradley Graham, Portland, to the Arkansas Catfish Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026. Reappointment.

Steven Kueter, Paragould, to the Arkansas Catfish Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026. Reappointment.

Greg Moyers, Portland, to the Arkansas Catfish Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2025. Reappointment.

Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board

Lendol Falwell, Newport, to the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board. Term to expire July 1, 2026.  Reappointment.

William Galloway, Augusta, to the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board. Term to expire July 1, 2026. Previously vacant position.

Arkansas Early Childhood Commission

Shelli Henehan, Fort Smith, to the Arkansas Early Childhood Commission. Term to expire June 30, 2025. Replaces Cheri Smith.

Arkansas Forestry Commission

Mary Clapp, El Dorado, to the Arkansas Forestry Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2028. Replaces Robert Parkes.
 
Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System Board

Tim Hill, Springdale, to the Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System Board. Term to expire December 31, 2027. Reappointment.

Brad Moore, Marion, to the Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System Board. Term to expire December 31, 2027. Replaces Damon Reed.

John Neal, Harrison, to the Arkansas Local Police and Faire Retirement System Board. Term to expire December 31, 2027. Reappointment.

Jared Zeiser, Hot Springs National Park, to the Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System Board. Term to expire December 31, 2026. Replaces Andrew Branch.

Arkansas Public Defender Commission

Jason Wales, Fayetteville, to the Arkansas Public Defender Commission. Term to expire July 1, 2029. Replaces John Mikesch.

Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board

Joshua Cureton, Cash, to the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2025. Reappointment.

Boyce Johnson, Maumelle, to the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026. Replaces Shannon Davis.

Matthew Roberson, Wynne, to the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026.  Replaces Russell Smith.

BJ Rogers, Ward, to the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2025. Previously vacant position.

Matt Smith, Blytheville, to the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026. Replaces Douglas Hartz.

Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board

Becton Bell, Wilson, to the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026. Replaces Joe Christian.

Carl Phillips, Walnut Ridge, to the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026. Replaces John King.

Paul Schwarz, Jonesboro, to the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026. Replaces Roger Pohlner.
 
Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Heidi Jansen, Little Rock, to the Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Term to expire June 30, 2027. Replaces Colleen Sears.

Child Welfare Agency Review Board

Andrew Baker, Searcy, to the Child Welfare Agency Review Board. Term to expire March 1, 2027. Replaces Andrew Watson.

Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission

Douglas Elms, Rogers, to the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission. Term to expire June 30, 2030. Replaces Sam Seamans.

Oil and Gas Commission

Phillip Norvell, Fayetteville, as Special Commissioner, to hear Docket No. 050-2024-09.

Ryan Stacks, Damascus, as Special Commissioner, to hear Docket No. 050-2024-09.

Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board

Dr. Samuel Moore, Little Rock, to the Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board, who shall also serve as vice-chair. Term to expire July 1, 2027. New Position.

State Plant Board

Nathan Reed, Marianna, to the State Plant Board. Term to expire October 1, 2028. Reappointment.

Bruce Alford, Lewisville, to the State Plant Board. Term to expire October 1, 2028. Reappointment

Calhoun County Quorum Court

Michael Gardner, Hampton, to serve as Justice of the Peace for District 9, for Calhoun County. Term expires December 31, 2024. Fulfills the remaining term of James Scarlett.

Johnson County Quorum Court

Evert Breeden, London, to serve as Justice of the Peace for District 10, for Johnson County. Term expires December 31, 2024. Fulfills the remaining term of Jeremy Hatchett.

Pope County Quorum Court

Charles Tripp, Russellville, to serve as Justice of the Peace for District 10, for Pope County. Term expires December 31, 2024.  Fulfills the remaining term of Allan George.

Arkansas Governor Sanders, ANRC Announce an Additional $80 Million for Arkansas Water Project

Flickr Image

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – On Wednesday, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced an additional $83,443,495 in financial assistance for nine water and wastewater projects. The projects serve more than 271,786 Arkansans. The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission approved this funding on September 18, 2024.

“My administration is working hard to improve Arkansas’ water systems, and the additional $80 million in funding we’re announcing today will help communities around the state,” said Governor Sanders. “It is critical Arkansans have access to safe drinking water.”

“While we often take it for granted, adequate water and wastewater infrastructure is critical to the quality of life of every Arkansan and the sustainability of communities and industries throughout the state. Since day one of her administration, water has been a top priority for Governor Sanders and we are thankful for her continued leadership that will ensure that our state maintains our attractive high quality of life and is well positioned in the future,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward.

The projects receiving funding are below:

• Arkansas Environmental Training Academy in Camden is receiving a $232,840 grant from the Clean Water Revolving Fund for wastewater operator training.

• Central Arkansas Water in Pulaski County is receiving an $80,000,000 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 156,000. This is an increase in funding to the existing Jack H. Wilson Treatment Plant improvement project.  

• Magazine in Logan County is receiving a $2,046,080 loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 391. This is an increase in funding for the existing wastewater collection and treatment rehabilitation project.

• Mountain Top Suburban Improvement District No. 66 in Garland County is receiving a $570,000 loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 67. This is an increase in funding for the existing wastewater treatment plant project.

• Newton County on behalf of Compton Water Association is receiving an $83,070 loan from the Water Development Fund to rehabilitate their 100,000-gallon standpipe. The project serves a current customer base of 348.

• Newton County on behalf of Nail-Swain Water Association is receiving two $74,160 loans totaling $148,320 from the Water Development Funds to rehabilitate two water tanks. The project serves a current customer base of 379. 

• Tri-County Regional Water Distribution District in Pope County is receiving a $363,185 loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 8,101. This is an increase in funding for the existing project for wastewater collection and treatment rehabilitation.

Two entities received approval for a scope modification to their existing projects without any changes to the funding:

• Helena-West Helena, Phillips County, previously received an $11,000,000 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund in February 2024. The project serves a current customer base of 5,500. 

• Lonoke White Public Water Authority in Cleburne County previously received a $12,970,441 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund in January of 2023. The project serves a current customer base of 101,000. 

In August, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the first phase of the Arkansas Water Plan has been completed by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Along with state partners, Governor Sanders has provided over $2.5 billion for water development projects in all 75 counties using state and federal funds.

Governor Sanders Receives Report from Strategic Committee for Maternal Health

Rawpixel Image

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today received the Strategic Committee on Maternal Health’s report outlining recommended policies and programs to improve maternal health outcomes in Arkansas.
 
The Governor established the Committee through executive order on March 6, 2024, and initiated a six-month timeline for stakeholders to meet and discuss potential reforms. In that time, more than 100 stakeholders representing dozens of organizations have met more than 20 times to craft and discuss the recommendations included in this report.
 
“As the first mom to lead Arkansas, maternal health is personal. I’m not interested in headline-grabbing policies or duplicative government programs that don’t actually change maternal health outcomes. Instead, this Committee pursued a comprehensive, coordinated approach that will help healthier moms have healthier babies,” said Governor Sanders. “I’m grateful to all the stakeholders who participated in this discussion and I look forward to continuing our work to turn these ideas into action.”
 
“Collaboration is key to improving the health and wellness of Natural State mothers and infants. That’s why we’ve brought together experts and advocates through roundtables and partnerships to champion solutions to Arkansas’s maternal health crisis. I am grateful for Governor Sanders’ leadership to build on this momentum and take action to better serve the prenatal and postpartum needs in our state,” said Senator John Boozman.
 
“We are incredibly grateful that so many partners came together to consider obstacles to maternal and postpartum care that exist, and to align around this set of meaningful solutions which promise to make a real and positive difference in our state,” said Department of Human Services Secretary Kristi Putnam. “We will act on these changes as quickly as possible because we know they have the potential to improve the health of countless women and babies, and to save lives.”
 
“We are proud to present these strategies and recommendations today,” said Renee Mallory, Arkansas Secretary of Health.“This report is the result of many meetings and listening sessions with stakeholders across the state. While we’ve already begun this important work, we look forward to continuing to enact solutions to improve the health and well-being of moms and babies in Arkansas.” 
 
“As someone who has spent her career taking care of Arkansas women, I am inspired by the many conversations this committee started and the actions we will take as a result,” said Dr. Kay Chandler, Arkansas Surgeon General. “It will take efforts from many different groups across the state to move the needle, and I believe we’ve put together a road map to make that happen.”
 
“Medicaid pays for more than half of the pregnancies in our state, so it’s critical that we implement reforms so that care is available and encouraged every step of the way before, during, and after birth,” said Janet Mann, Department of Human Services Deputy Secretary of Programs and State Medicaid Director. “These recommendations and changes will remove barriers, improve care, and deliver better health outcomes.”
 
“I am encouraged to see so many people from different sectors come together to address this issue. As Chair of the Arkansas Maternal Mortality Review Committee, I can attest that the challenges surrounding maternal health are complex,” said Dr. Sam Greenfield, ADH Medical Director for Family Health. “This is a significant step that addresses specific findings and needs in Arkansas. I am supportive of these recommendations and look forward to the role enactment will play in improving health outcomes for mothers in our state.”
 
The report is linked here.

State of the State Mid-Year 2024: Schools implementing LEARNS; funding formula change coming?

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

What’s the state of the state in education? Schools are implementing Gov. Sarah Sanders’ LEARNS Act. Legislators are performing the biennial adequacy study that will determine school funding amounts for the next two years. In next year’s legislative session, they could craft a new funding formula.

The sweeping 2023 LEARNS Act made major changes to the state’s education system but left many of the details to the rulemaking process. Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva estimated in an interview that “95%” of the rules are ready. Many had to be completed by July 1.

Among the most notable aspect of LEARNS was its creation of “educational freedom accounts.” Through these, 90% of the state per pupil foundation funding traditionally provided to schools instead goes to eligible families that can use them for qualifying expenses for nonpublic school alternatives. Roughly $7,000 per student will be provided to those families this upcoming second year of the program. Up to 3% of public school students can use them for private schools. Next year, there will be no percentage restrictions, and homeschooled students will be eligible.

State of the State Mid-Year 2024: Schools implementing LEARNS; funding formula change coming?

Sanders, DHS Announce $15 Million to Support Arkansans with Substance Use Disorder, Mental Illness, and Intellectual Disabilities

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Today, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) announced $15 million in grants to fund infrastructure improvements that support individuals with substance use disorders, mental illnesses, or intellectual disabilities. Recipient organizations offer Medicaid treatment in community-based settings for specialty populations around the state.

“Vulnerable Arkansans need help – and they deserve to receive that help in modern, well-functioning facilities,” said Governor Sanders.“As my administration supports our most at-risk citizens, these grants will build a continuity of care that helps Arkansans through every step of their lives.”

“The funding awards announced today will create an array of additional services that support an improved continuum of care for both young people and adults who are struggling with substance use disorders, mental illness, or intellectual disabilities,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Putnam. “We are excited to see these investments turn into services that fill gaps in coverage and ultimately make a positive difference in the lives of Arkansans who need this support.” 

This program will award grants to support Youth Substance Abuse Residential Treatment and Supported Housing Units for Young Adults later this summer. 

The different grant types and recipient groups are below:

The Community Reintegration for Children grant funds new buildings that will function as family home environments for children to provide step-down support from high-cost, restrictive settings. Recipients are:

• Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance Center, Fort Smith – $4 million

• United Methodist Children’s Home, Little Rock – $1 million

The Adult Substance Abuse Residential Treatment Facilities grant funds improvements to existing facilities that offer 30- to 60-day treatment programs for adults struggling with substance abuse disorders. Recipients are:

• Harbor House, Fort Smith – $1,842,004

• ARVAC Lake Point Recovery and Wellness, Russellville – $2,157,996

The Supported Housing Units for Young Adults grant funds the construction of an apartment complex that will house youth struggling with behavioral health who have aged out of group homes or other services provided by the Division of Children and Family Services or the Division of Youth Services. The recipient is:

• Rainbow of Challenges, Inc., Hope – $3 million

The Therapeutic Communities for Adults with IDD grant funds the creation of a 16-bed therapeutic community that will provide step-down support from high-cost, in-patient psychiatric care for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities and a co-occurring behavioral health diagnosis. The recipient is: 

• ARISA Health, Jonesboro – $3 million

Arkansas Water Plan Update Moves Forward After First Phase Completion

Cossatot River (Robert Thigpen-Flickr)

LITTLE ROCK, Ark — The Arkansas Department of Agriculture, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), has completed the first phase of the Arkansas Water Plan (AWP) update as directed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ Executive Order 23-27. Completion of Phase I marks a significant milestone in the preparation and development of a comprehensive program for the orderly development and management of the state’s water and related land resources that will benefit all Arkansans.  
 
“Every Arkansan deserves access to safe, reliable drinking water. My administration’s ongoing review and update of our Arkansas Water Plan is key to that goal,” said Governor Sanders. “Completion of Phase I of our plan review is an important milestone and I look forward to moving on quickly to Phase II while we continue making needed investments statewide.”
 
“Governor Sanders has been the most proactive Governor in the country in addressing water issues,” said Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “From signing Executive Order 23-27 that initiated an update to the Arkansas Water Plan, to initiating a statewide levee inventory and analysis to prepare for and mitigate future flooding events, to addressing critical groundwater issues for our state’s agriculture industry and administering over $2.5 billion in water development projects in all 75 counties across the state.  There is no Governor that has devoted more time and effort to address water issues and ensure that Arkansas is set up for success for many years to come.” 
 
Phase I required a comprehensive review of the existing Arkansas Water Plan to determine areas of significant change to be reevaluated or updated. Completion of Phase I included a total of seven stakeholder meetings that were held across the state from March to May 2024. Additionally, citizens were encouraged to provide feedback through a stakeholder survey. The Department used this data to better understand the state’s current water needs and to develop the goals for the Arkansas Water Plan update. 
 
Completion of Phase I identified the following six goals for the Arkansas Water Plan Update:

• Provide drinking water that supports public health and well-being.

• Provide water that supports environmental and economic benefits to the state and supports interstate agreements.

• Use the best available science, data, tools, practices, and technologies to support water resource planning and management for current and future needs.

• Maintain and improve water supply, wastewater, stormwater, and flood control infrastructure and plan for future infrastructure needs.

• Maintain, protect, and improve water quality to support designated uses of waterbodies.

• Reduce the impacts of future flooding events on people, property, infrastructure, industry, agriculture, and the environment.

 The update to the Arkansas Water Plan is being completed in two phases. Phase II is scheduled to begin before the end of the 2024 calendar year.

Arkansas school districts on board with ‘phone-free’ pilot program

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

About 180 of Arkansas’ 237 public school districts will limit students’ phone usage in the upcoming school year as part of a pilot program championed by Gov. Sarah Sanders and state education officials.

The program, announced last month, provides students with pouches to store, but not access, their phones during the school day. Grants for telehealth services to address students’ mental health will also be available to participating school districts.

Speaking at Ardis Ann Middle School in Bentonville Thursday, Sanders said the program’s goal is to address what she says is a link between unrestricted smartphone usage and worse mental health outcomes among students.

Arkansas school districts on board with ‘phone-free’ pilot program

Sanders Appoints Colonel Chad Bridges as Secretary of the Military and the 55th Adjutant General

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. –Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced that she has appointed Colonel Olen Chad Bridges to serve as Arkansas’ Secretary of the Military and the 55th Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard. 

“Arkansas’ National Guard are the finest our state has to offer, and there’s no one better prepared to lead them than Colonel Chad Bridges,” said Governor Sanders. “Throughout his 32-year military career that includes leading Arkansas’ soldiers in three overseas deployments, Colonel Bridges has led troops in the Middle East, served several important assignments in the Pentagon, and been a loyal public servant to our state and nation. I know he will excel as Adjutant General and ensure our men and women in uniform are ready to support the great state of Arkansas and the entire country.”

“I am profoundly honored and deeply grateful to Governor Sanders for the extraordinary opportunity to join her cabinet and serve as the Secretary of the Military and the 55th Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard,” said Colonel Chad Bridges. “As a proud Arkansan, leading the exceptional men and women of the Arkansas National Guard in our mission to serve our state and nation is a lifetime privilege. I acknowledge our servicemembers’ families and employers whose support and sacrifice enable our mission success. We will continue to make the great state of Arkansas proud by upholding the highest standards of service and commitment to our state and nation.”

Colonel Chad Bridges Bio:
Colonel Bridges enlisted in the Arkansas Army National Guard in August of 1991 and commissioned in August of 1998. He assumed command of the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in September 2021, leading the brigade headquarters’ deployment to Grafenwoehr, Germany. 

Colonel Chad Bridges (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Stephen Wright)

Colonel Bridges’ three previous assignments before brigade command were in the Pentagon. He was the Chief of the National Guard Bureau’s representative on the 2022 National Defense Strategy Core Development Team. Before that, he served in colonel assignments in the Office of Secretary of Defense and Headquarters Department of the Army. Colonel Bridges has served in various other national, state, and tactical level assignments as a full-time Active Guard Reserve officer since 2006.  

He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, U.S. Army Command and Staff College, U.S. Air Force Command and Staff College, U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the Joint Forces Staff College. In 2017, he completed the United States Army War College as a distinguished graduate obtaining a Master of Strategic Studies degree.

He is an MIT Seminar XXI fellow, a Harvard Kennedy School fellow for Leadership in Homeland Security, and a Syracuse University Maxwell School National Security Studies fellow. His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Defense Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, Combat and Expert Infantryman Badges, and various other awards and badges.

Most importantly, Colonel Bridges is married to the former Kari Zaccanti of Fayetteville, Arkansas. They reside in Conway, Arkansas with their two children: Carsten and Chloe.

Gov. Sanders and Col. Hagar release statement on arrest of illegal immigrant, following assault of ASP Trooper

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Today, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders slammed Vice President Harris and President Joe Biden for their creation of the worst border crisis in American history and hailed two women as heroes for their quick action to stop an illegal immigrant who refused arrest and assaulted an ASPTrooper. 

Last night, a female Trooper engaged a suspect, Angel Zapet-Alvarado, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, after he was speeding on I-49, who refused to exit the vehicle and resisted the Trooper’s efforts to remove him. A female motorist who witnessed the altercation stopped her vehicle and assisted the Trooper.

“These two women who put their lives on the line to make sure their communities are safe, are heroes and thanks to their quick, brave action, a criminal illegal immigrant is in custody and off the streets. Even though they deny it and the media covers it up, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have created the worst border crisis in history and they must be held responsible,” said Gov. Sanders.

“I pray every day for the safety of our Troopers as they sacrifice their own safety for the sake of our innocent civilians. I thank God today that He kept our Trooper alive and that He placed an unbelievably brave civilian by her side during her time of need,” said Col. Mike Hagar. “I have the same fear and frustration any time someone assaults one of our Troopers, but it’s even more disturbing that this suspect is an undocumented, illegal immigrant from Guatemala. That shows another level of lawlessness that will not be tolerated in our state.”

Zapet-Alvarado was transported to Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas, where he was treated and released to law enforcement. He was transported to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and charged with Second-Degree Battery and placed on hold for Homeland Security Investigation (HSI). Additional charges are pending.

The Trooper was treated for non-life-threatening injuries she sustained when Zapet-Alvarado assaulted her.

ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the incident.