Arkansas House passes government funding, ballot initiative bills

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

Members of the Arkansas House of Representatives on Monday approved a bill to end a government shutdown in Jefferson County, and another to give the attorney general more power over the direct democracy process.

County employees have worked without pay since the start of the year as quorum court members have repeatedly been unable to pass a budget in a slate of meetings. Rep. Glenn Barnes, D-Pine Bluff, spoke in favor of legislation he co-sponsored to end the shutdown on the House Monday.

"We have some 300 people who have gone a month and almost two weeks without pay," he said. "They are now losing their insurance, many are struggling to paying water, light, gas, house notes and rent, and they're in dire need of some legislation to act quickly."

Arkansas House passes government funding, ballot initiative bills

Arkansas House

Members of the Arkansas House of Representatives on Monday approved a bill to end the Jefferson County government shutdown that's lasted since the beginning of the year.

Activists continue to call for changes to Arkansas Medicaid, allege unfair losses of coverage

KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

Arkansas Medicaid recipients and advocates repeated their ongoing messages that the state Department of Human Services should provide broader Medicaid coverage and process applications more efficiently at a Tuesday demonstration outside DHS’ Jefferson County office.

Arkansas Community Organizations, the group behind the protest, has continually emphasized the benefits of the federally-funded health insurance program and the struggles low-income Arkansans face when they cannot afford health care or get on Medicaid quickly. On Tuesday, the group added a new message: that DHS employees are overworked and under-supported.

“When you walk into DHS, prepare to take a number and sit for a long time,” Medicaid recipient William Gerard said. “There might be two workers at four windows and not enough [support] to serve their caseload.”

Activists continue to call for changes to Arkansas Medicaid, allege unfair losses of coverage

Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate

Organizers with Arkansas Community Organizations hold up signs advocating for better Medicaid coverage outside Jefferson County’s Department of Human Services office in Pine Bluff on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

Two Arkansas Counties Sue Walmart Over Opioids

Two Arkansas counties have sued Walmart Inc. over allegations that the Bentonville retailer contributed to the opioid epidemic by failing to maintain tight controls when filling opioid prescriptions.

Pulaski and Jefferson counties filed the lawsuit against Walmart in July, making them the latest two government entities to sue the retailer over allegations it contributed to the opioid crisis.

https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/132823/two-counties-sue-walmart-over-opioids

Two Counties Sue Walmart Over Opioids

Two Arkansas counties have sued Walmart Inc. over allegations that the Bentonville retailer contributed to the opioid epidemic by failing to maintain tight controls when filling opioid prescriptions. Pulaski and Jefferson counties filed the lawsuit against Walmart in July, making them the latest two government entities to sue the retailer over allegations it contributed to the opioid crisis.