Click on pic above for the winter weather briefing.
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
The Revenue Stabilization Act (RSA) is typically one of the last items passed every session. It categorizes and prioritizes state spending.
Members are now reviewing the proposed Revenue Stabilization amendment schedule reflecting the allocation of general revenue funds for Fiscal Year 2023.
The proposed amendment outlines $6.02 billion in spending. That is less than a 3% increase in spending from the current fiscal year.
The state fiscal year begins July 1.
The largest increases in spending can be found in education and human services.
The proposed budget outlines a $70 million increase for elementary and secondary education.
It includes an $11 million increase for DHS Children and Family Services and a $23.5 million increase for DHS grants which includes Medicaid spending.
County jail reimbursement is increased by $6.4 million in the proposed budget.
The RSA calls for a $7.4 million increase for Arkansas State Police. This will assist in raising the salaries for state troopers.
It is anticipated members will vote on the RSA next week.
On Wednesday, the House voted to amend HB1034, an Act for the Department of Corrections-Division of Correction Appropriation. The amendment includes an appropriation of up to $75 million for costs associated with prison expansion.
The House passed SB103 which provides a one-time stipend of $5,000 to full time certified city and county law enforcement officer as well as probation and parole officers.
It also provides for a $2,000 one-time stipend for state troopers.
The House also passed one time appropriations for pregnancy center resource grants, the School for the Deaf and Blind, the breast milk bank, and the Northwest Arkansas Veterans Home.
You can find the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2023 as well live-streams of all committee meetings and House proceedings on our website www.arkansashouse.org.
Severe Weather Briefing from the National Weather Service in Little Rock
Click on pic above for the latest weather briefing.
COVID-19 Active Cases in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 14
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 13
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 23
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 9
UA Cossatot and the City of De Queen Partner in Workforce Scholarship Program
UA Cossatot and the City of De Queen recently partnered to provide City of De Queen employees and children discounted tuition rates while attending UA Cossatot.
The tuition discount, which does not apply to specific program fees, gives full-time City of De Queen Employees a 50% tuition discount while children of full-time City of De Queen employees receive a 25% tuition discount. Eligible recipients must complete the course(s) authorized with a grade of "C" or better.
UA Cossatot and the City of De Queen established a procedure for participation, a memorandum of agreement between UA Cossatot and the City of De Queen, and a memorandum of understanding on financial awards.
UA Cossatot Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole said, “Our community is only as good as the collaborations within it. It is amazing how much a community prospers when we are able to share resources with each other. De Queen Mayor Jeff Brown and the De Queen City Council identified a way to reward employees and, at the same time, give them away to better themselves and their families. UA Cossatot was honored to assist in these efforts.”
For more information, contact Dr. Steve Cole at 870-584-1173 or scole@cccua.edu.
Spring Fling at Sevier County Fairgrounds, De Queen, AR March 5th
Active COVID Cases in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 10
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 20
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 17
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 34
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 15
Winter Weather on the way for Arkansas
Click on Pic Above for the latest Winter Weather Briefing for Arkansas
UA Cossatot's Relinda Ruth and the OER program featured in a recent national article
OER Zero to Sixty in Five Years: One University’s Pathway to 60% Participation
Severe Weather Briefing from the National Weather Service in Little Rock
Click on pic above for Severe Weather Briefing PDF
Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas Back on the Downward Trend
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 33
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 60
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 34
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 103
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 41
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
On Monday, the 93rd General Assembly will convene at the State Capitol to address the budget for Fiscal Year 2023.
Fiscal Sessions began after Arkansas voters approved what would become Amendment 86 in 2008. This will be the 7th Fiscal Session held in state history.
Governor Asa Hutchinson is expected to address the General Assembly shortly after we convene at noon, February 14.
During the address, the Governor will outline his budget proposal. Previously, in budget hearings the Governor recommended a 3.3% increase in spending. His proposal included increases for state police salaries and more funding for services for Arkansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Governor has also said publicly he will be asking the legislature to direct a portion of surplus funds for a state prison expansion.
The latest revenue report from the Department of Finance and Administration shows net available general revenue at $275 million or 7.1% above this time last year.
All appropriation bills will be heard first in the Joint Budget Committee. That committee has spent several weeks reviewing agency proposals.
By Friday afternoon of this week, more than 90 budget bills had been filed in the House. And more than 80 bills had been filed in the Senate.
If the General Assembly is to take up any bills outside the scope of the budget, they must first have a 2/3 vote in both chambers for a resolution describing the bill. The deadline for those resolutions is by the end of the first day of the session, February 14.
The deadline for filing both appropriation bills and non-appropriation bills is Monday, February 28.
Amendment 86 states that each Fiscal Session shall not exceed 30 days. The Fiscal Session may be extended one time, however, for no more than 15 days, by a ¾ vote of both the House and Senate.
We will continue to update you during this upcoming session. You can find the daily agendas and watch the meetings live at www.arkansashouse.org.
Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 112
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 105
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 94
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 157
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 75
IDrive Arkansas Map of Road Conditions Around the State
Ice Accumulations Expected With Winter Storm Warning in Arkansas
A winter storm with significant snow and ice accumulations is imminent! Additionally, a very cold Arctic air mass will move into the state late this week with minimum temperatures in the single digits to low 20s and wind chills in the single digits. - National Weather Service
VIDEO: February is Black History Month
The Center for Student Success and Student Ambassadors at UA Cossatot ask, “How much do you know about Black History Month?”
De Queen Public Schools will no Longer Conduct Contact Tracing
De Queen Public Schools will no longer conduct contact tracing or identify students who are probable close contacts. We will still follow ADH guidelines for those who test positive for Covid -19 or who are symptomatic. The information link is below.
Arkansas expected to get snow and sleet this week
KUAR | By Remington Miller
Arkansas is forecast to receive a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain later this week with the potential for hazardous driving conditions.
The National Weather Service says rain is expected to begin on Tuesday, then a cold front will enter the state causing a gradually transition to winter weather on Wednesday. But forecasters say there is still uncertainty about the amount and types of precipitation, making it difficult to predict.
Meteorologist Thomas Jones says after the wind switches to the northwest and brings in colder air he expects to see “rain change to freezing rain and sleet across the north part of the state.”
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service projection for snow and sleet amounts between Wednesday and Friday, as of Monday at 11 a.m.
COVID-19 Active Cases in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 327
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 219
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 238
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 275
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 156
Latest Winter Weather Briefing for Arkansas - Rain, Freezing Rain, Snow, Ice Accumulation and Sleet
Click on picture above for Winter Weather Briefing