Arkansas public education coalition again revises proposed ballot measure targeting voucher rulesV

KUAR | By Antoinette Grajeda / Arkansas Advocate

An Arkansas coalition attempting to amend the state Constitution’s education clause submitted its fourth proposal to the attorney general Thursday.

The goal of the Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2024 is to require the same academic and accreditation standards for public and private schools that receive state funding.

The most significant change to For AR Kids’ proposed ballot language is defining receipt of state or local funds as the school, a student attending the school or the student’s parents or guardians receiving “any State or local funds, property, or tax credits to cover or defray, in whole or part, the costs of any student attending the school.”

Arkansas public education coalition again revises proposed ballot measure targeting voucher rules

John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate

For AR Kids Vice President April Reisma presented the bill on Dec. 21, 2023, now the Attorney General is being asked to approve it for the 4th time.

Proposed Arkansas ballot measure would make abortion access a constitutional right

KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate

The Arkansas Attorney General’s Office will decide Tuesday whether a proposed measure to enshrine abortion as a constitutional right will go on the 2024 statewide ballot.

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State government entities would not be allowed to “prohibit, penalize, delay or restrict” Arkansans’ access to abortion up to 18 weeks of pregnancy under the Arkansas Reproductive Healthcare Amendment, which Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office received Nov. 9.

The proposed amendment would also require access to abortion in cases of rape, incest, “in the event of a fatal fetal anomaly” and to protect the life or health of the pregnant individual.

Proposed Arkansas ballot measure would make abortion access a constitutional right