Sarah Huckabee Sanders will give the Republican response to the State of the Union

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-AR) will deliver the Republican Address to the Nation from Little Rock, Arkansas following the State of the Union address next Tuesday, February 7th:
  
Speaker McCarthy said: “Americans are still struggling from inflation, a border crisis, record crime, and a failing school system. As House Republicans work to fix these problems in Congress with our Commitment to America, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is addressing them head on with her conservative agenda outside of Washington. The youngest governor in America, Sarah is fighting on behalf of parents, small businesses, and ordinary taxpayers. She is bringing new ideas for a changing future, while also applying the wisdom of the past, including from the leadership of her father, Mike. She is a servant-leader of true determination and conviction. I’m thrilled Sarah will share her extraordinary story and bold vision for a better America on Tuesday. Everyone, including President Biden, should listen carefully.” 
 
Leader McConnell said: “While President Biden keeps repeating old mistakes and failing Americans, a rising generation of Republican Governors are fighting for families, advancing new solutions, and winning. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the youngest Governor in the nation and a powerful advocate for the popular, commonsense conservative principles that will put our country back on a better course. The American people deserve better than Democrats’ runaway inflation, surging crime, open borders, and failing schools. I am excited for the nation to hear from Governor Sanders on Tuesday and witness a sharp contrast with this exhausted and failing Administration.”
 
Governor Sanders said: “I am grateful for this opportunity to address the nation and contrast the GOP’s optimistic vision for the future against the failures of President Biden and the Democrats. We are ready to begin a new chapter in the story of America – to be written by a new generation of leaders ready to defend our freedom against the radical left and expand access to quality education, jobs, and opportunity for all.” 
 
Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the 47th Governor of Arkansas. Inaugurated on January 10, 2023, she is the first woman to serve as governor of the state and is currently the youngest governor in the country. Prior to her historic victory, Sarah served as White House Press Secretary for President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2019. A trusted confidant of the President, she advised him on everything from press and communications strategy to personnel and policy. Sarah was only the third woman – and the very first mom – to ever hold the job of White House Press Secretary. Sarah grew up in Pine Bluff and Texarkana and is a proud graduate of Little Rock Central High and Ouachita Baptist University. She lives in Little Rock with her husband, Bryan, their children Scarlett, Huck, and George, and their golden retriever, Traveler.

Will Newton/AP

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders speaks after taking the oath of the office on the steps of the Arkansas Capitol Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, in Little Rock, Ark.

Arkansas lawmakers discuss solar power, electric vehicle charging stations

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

State officials are preparing for an influx of as much as $1.5 billion in federal funding to go toward new clean energy projects.

The Inflation Reduction Act signed into law by President Joe Biden in August dedicates the funding to Arkansas over the next eight years to help fund new solar energy projects.

In a meeting of the legislature’s Joint Committee on Energy Monday, Lauren Waldrip, executive director of the Arkansas Advanced Energy Association, said farmers in the state have begun to adopt solar technology to help deal with rising energy costs.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-10-11/arkansas-lawmakers-discuss-solar-power-electric-vehicle-charging-stations

Daniel Breen/KUAR News

Sen. Bob Ballinger (R-Berryville) and Rep. Rick Beck (R-Center Ridge), co-chairs of the Arkansas Legislature's Joint Committee on Energy, listen at a committee meeting at Audubon Arkansas in Little Rock on Monday.

AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Biden’s Proposed Marijuana Policy

LITTLE ROCK – Today I would like to talk about the recently proposed policies on marijuana from the Biden administration, and why the administration’s proposal is not the best approach for Arkansas and our nation.

Last week President Biden announced his new policy on marijuana which included granting pardons to all individuals convicted of federal offenses for simple possession of marijuana.

In his proposed policy, he also urges governors to follow the policy at the state level where it is applicable.

The President’s third proposal would create the rescheduling of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act.

During my time as Governor, I have often used the clemency powers granted to me under the Arkansas Constitution to grant pardons to those with drug offenses. In fact, I have pardoned hundreds of Arkansans who have been convicted of drug offenses. When choosing to grant a pardon, I will closely examine an applicant’s behavior after their sentence. In this time of rising crime, there should be a clear record of law-abiding conduct before pardons are issued.

I do not support issuing blanket pardons to those who have been convicted of these types of crimes. I firmly believe in second chances, and in each of these cases we must use compassion.

Each case should be looked at individually to determine who is deserving of a pardon.

The President’s request to potentially reschedule marijuana is also misguided. In his statement, President Biden says, “Federal law currently classifies marijuana in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, the classification meant for the most dangerous substances.” This characterization is incorrect.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Schedule I drugs are defined as “drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” While medical marijuana may be legal in many states across the nation, the medical community has not come to a consensus on the benefits.

Schedule I does not mean that the drugs in Schedule I are the most dangerous. For example, Schedule II drugs are those with a “high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence.” This includes drugs like fentanyl, Adderall, and morphine. These drugs are considered dangerous but have a legitimate medical use.

When it comes to the proper schedule for marijuana, we need to follow the science and previous administrations that kept marijuana in Schedule I.

Most importantly, we have to make sure we don’t move to decriminalization of drugs that are harming Americans. The fact that a drug is unlawful discourages usage.

State might tax canceled student loan debt

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

Arkansas is one of seven states in which canceled student loan debt may be treated as taxable income, but whether it is, student loan forgiveness is expected to create a tax burden shift from the borrowers.

Recently, President Joe Biden announced plans to cancel up to $20,000 in student loan debt, depending on borrowers’ income. Pell Grant recipients qualify for up to the total amount in relief, while other borrowers can cancel up to $10,000 in student loan debt. Eligible borrowers must have an annual income of less than $125,000 or $250,000 for married couples or heads of households.

According to Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, nearly 8 million borrowers may be eligible for relief automatically because the agency already has relevant income data. By early October, an online application is expected to become available at studentaid.gov, allowing borrowers to apply for the relief. The application deadline will be Dec. 31, 2023.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/09/state-might-tax-canceled-student-loan-debt/

Rutledge announces suit against Biden for unlawfully cancelling debt

LITTLE ROCK— Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today announced a lawsuit against President Joe Biden, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, and the U.S. Department of Education for violating federal law when the Biden Administration attempted to categorically cancel student loan debt in August. The suit alleges that Biden violated federal law, the constitutional principle of separation of powers and the Administrative Procedure Act when he skirted congressional authority to implement this policy.

“President Biden’s unlawful political play puts the self-wrought college-loan debt on the backs of millions of hardworking Americans who are struggling to pay their utility bills and home loans amid Biden’s inflation,” said Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “President Biden does not have the power to arbitrarily erase the college debt of adults who chose to take out those loans.”

The lawsuit highlights that President Biden knew he did not have the proper authority to authorize this type of executive action, which is why he attempted to work with Congress to find a legitimate and legal solution to the student loan crisis. After Congress routinely failed to pass legislation addressing the issue, Biden attempted to unilaterally act far beyond the authority granted to him by the Constitution. This action will result in approximately half a trillion dollars in losses to the federal treasury and contribute to the already rampant inflation the nation is experiencing.  

The Democrat Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, summarized it best when she said, “people think the President of the United States has the power for debt forgiveness. He does not.” 

The states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Carolina are joining Arkansas in the suit.

Funding from infrastructure bill flowing into Arkansas, Rock Region Metro

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

During the current fiscal year, Rock Region Metro, the public transit system for Central Arkansas, will receive a boost in funding due to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden last year.

Becca Green, director of public engagement for Rock Region Metro, says the agency will receive $6,385,595 from the infrastructure bill, which is a 29% increase from the previous year for 5307 funds, which the agency receives each year from the federal government based on population and density.

Funding for public transit included in the infrastructure bill is designated to improving repair backlogs, representing more than 24,000 buses, 5,000 rail cars, 200 stations and thousands of miles of track, signals and power systems nationwide, according to the White House website.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-04-15/funding-from-infrastructure-bill-flowing-into-arkansas-rock-region-metro

David Monteith/KUAR

Rock Region Metro's River Cities Travel Center in downtown Little Rock.

Arkansas governor supports Biden infrastructure bill, touts highway sales tax

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson is praising new potential investments in infrastructure coming from President Joe Biden’s $1 trillion funding package.

Speaking to members of the nonprofit Arkansas Good Roads Foundation in a meeting Monday, Hutchinson urged Congress to take a vote on the package as soon as possible.

“What it gives for us is $3.6 billion in highway funding over five years through the normal formula process, $278 million in bridge replacement funds over five years. These are big dollars for big projects to help us to avoid dangerous situations that we can have in the future,” Hutchinson said.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2021-11-02/arkansas-governor-supports-biden-infrastructure-bill-touts-highway-sales-tax

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks with reporters in a news conference in this file photo.

$5 Billion Arkansas American Rescue Explained

By JACQUELINE FROELICH

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, signed into law by President Joe Biden in March, delivers $1.9 trillion to state and local governments, individuals, businesses, healthcare and educational institutions all impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of Arkansas' $5 billion share, $1.57 billion is earmarked for state fiscal relief.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/5-billion-arkansas-american-rescue-explained

Scott Hardin, Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration spokesperson, explains how American Rescue Plan is being deployed.

J. FROELICH / KUAF

Poll: Razor Close For Arkansas 2nd District Between French Hill, Joyce Elliott

A new Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College survey of 698 2nd Congressional District likely voters shows a virtual dead heat between incumbent GOP U.S. Rep. French Hill and his Democratic challenger, State Sen. Joyce Elliott.

2nd District voters are also favoring Joe Biden over President Donald Trump in the Presidential race.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/poll-razor-close-arkansas-2nd-district-between-french-hill-joyce-elliott

Poll: Razor Close For Arkansas 2nd District Between French Hill, Joyce Elliott

A new Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College survey of 698 2nd Congressional District likely voters shows a virtual dead heat between incumbent GOP U.S. Rep. French Hill and his Democratic challenger, State Sen. Joyce Elliott. 2nd District voters are also favoring Joe Biden over President Donald Trump in the Presidential race.