In the News

Economic Development Legislation 2023

2023-05-24T15:40:42+00:00 May 19th, 2023|In the News|

Employment in Arkansas has increased for seven consecutive months. The latest report from the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services shows the unemployment rate at 2.8%. By comparison, the national unemployment rate is 3.4%. Compared to this time last year, there are 12,869 additional employed Arkansans. While low unemployment rates are indicative of a healthy and [...]

National Police Week

2023-05-24T15:38:05+00:00 May 12th, 2023|In the News|

National Police Week begins on Sunday, May 14. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. National Police Week offers honor and remembrance while allowing law enforcement, survivors, and citizens to gather and pay [...]

Human Trafficking Legislation 2023

2023-05-24T15:31:35+00:00 May 5th, 2023|In the News|

Since its inception in 2007, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has identified 557 cases of human trafficking in Arkansas. Close to 1,500 victims were identified in these cases. Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons or modern-day slavery, is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services or [...]

ARDOT Projects in District 30

2023-05-24T15:30:02+00:00 May 1st, 2023|In the News|

I received notice from ARDOT of a project in District 30. On March 1, 2023 there were bid openings and the following bid was awarded. Barring unforeseen circumstances, work on awarded projects will typically begin within 2 months. Bono Main Street Overlay - Awarded Michelle's Excavating, Inc. Amount $343,788.69 to resurface 1.51 miles of Main [...]

Mental Health Legislation 2023

2023-05-24T15:28:01+00:00 Apr 28th, 2023|In the News|

In the months leading up to the 2023 Regular Session, several legislators were meeting with mental health providers, medical professionals, and behavioral health stakeholders to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the mental and behavioral health care currently available in the state. This study resulted in several recommendations and as a result, the 94th General [...]

Transportation Legislation 2023

2023-05-24T15:26:00+00:00 Apr 21st, 2023|In the News|

Act 50 repeals a law that prohibits leaving a running vehicle unattended. Act 261 would require the Department of Finance and Administration to offer drivers the option of a digitized driver’s license by February 2025. The bill states a digitized driver's license may be accepted by a public entity for all state purposes authorized for [...]

2023 Election Legislation

2023-05-24T15:26:33+00:00 Apr 14th, 2023|In the News|

More than twenty bills passed in the 2023 Regular Session address Arkansas elections. From how an initiative is placed on the ballot to when the polls are open, there are several changes being made due to recent legislation. The following pieces of legislation regarding elections have been signed into law: Act 236 amends the procedure [...]

Northeast Arkansas Regional Airport Study

2023-03-17T16:30:12+00:00 Mar 16th, 2023|In the News|

Help spread the word. The Arkansas Division of Aeronautics is analyzing a need for an expanded or new commercial service airport in the Northeast Arkansas region. This would be a tremendous benefit for all of Northeast Arkansas. The 19 Counties included in their study are shown below Blake Roberson, PE Regional Aviation Leader for Garver, [...]