Good Day Everyone!

The state budget is guided by the Revenue Stabilization Act (RSA) which is typically one of the last items passed every session. 

The Senate recently adopted changes to make the body more efficient and improve its ability to fulfill one of its constitutional obligations: providing our advice and consent to the administration in order to fill the executive branch positions that require Senate confirmation.

The Correction Department will keep secret any records about lethal injection and carrying out the death penalty, under a bill that exempts those records from the state Freedom of Information Act.

Spring cleaning takes on an entirely new meaning when getting rid of expired or unsafe medicines. Even though people may be quick to toss out expired foods or even clean closets of ill-fitting clothing, few individuals exercise such diligence with their medicine cabinets.

During the start of spring, many people begin to look forward to spending time outdoors.  For those with green thumbs, tending to the garden and other aspects of their landscapes soon become a reality as the last morning frosts have come to an end.

I still can recall about eight plus years ago, my family and I first participated in the Keep Arkansas Beautiful clean-up event. We were very proud of ourselves by participating in this event to keep our community, our city, and our environment beautiful and clean. After that, we formed our …

Someone once told my wife that she should take a risk of smoking cigarettes to help her lose weight. This was their substitute rather than exercise or go on a diet plan. I feel it’s unfortunate to hear that someone gave this advice. My wife knew ex- actly what she was doing and understood th…

The House is now in the final weeks of the 2019 Regular Session. In recent days, the House has passed legislation in- creasing education fund- ing, legislation increasing sales tax exemptions on used cars, and legislation creating a first of its kind re-sponse teamto child ab-ductions.With a…

The Senate has already approved several large tax cuts this session, and an- other one is on its agenda. Senate Bill 576 will make far-reaching changes in the state corporate income tax code, to the extent that the Department of Finance and Administration will have to update its comput- ers …

-fourth in the nation when it comes to maternal mortality rates.  Maternal mortality is defined as the death of a woman who is pregnant or dies within 42 days after the end of the pregnancy.

The legislature has approved and the governor has signed a package of bills sponsored by female lawmakers. The coalition of legislators dubbed their package “Dream BIG for Arkansas.”

The legislature advanced a major highway program and tougher new ethics laws.

Recently a very disturbing and revealing discussion has been taking place in our country, raising serious questions about how much value and worth we ascribe to babies in the womb and especially those born despite an attempted abortion procedure.

In Arkansas, there are two ways to put a constitutional amendment on an election ballot.

I want to discuss the details of the $300 million highway funding plan that I presented this week that is necessary to repair and maintain Arkansas’s existing highways and bridges and to expand our roadways as the state grows.

More than 140 bills have been signed into law during this session.

The governor, legislators and private business groups joined to propose a highway program that would add $300 million a year in revenue for the state Transportation Department.

Someone let the Flu Bug in so we have been in mask mode only for the past week. Visitors have been asked to not come and families to keep contact with loved ones by phone if at all possible. Hopefully this will prevent the flu from becoming wide spread. We appreciate everyone’s corporation. …

“Kids are so innocent.” One day my five-year-old daughter got upset at me for not letting her using the iPad. She said to me, “What’s the point of having an iPad and not letting me use it?” Technically, she was right. Then I explained it to her that you may use it when it’s your break and no…

House members are now preparing for the fourth week of the 2019 Regular Session.  We are expecting to review and possibly vote on big issues such as tax cuts and teacher salaries.

 I announced the details of my 5.9 Tax Cut at a news conference this week, and a few hours later, Senator Jonathan Dismang filed Senate Bill 211, the first step in making the tax cut law. Representative Joe Jett is the lead sponsor on the House side.

The governor and legislators presented the details of the signature issue of this year’s session, a reduction in personal income taxes.

Waldron Nursing Center Residents are all geared up and waiting for Valentine’s Day to arrive. The holders are up and ready to be filled so we are hoping that everyone will help fill them to the brim.  Residents themselves will be exchanging cards also so we are asking family members to bring…

We should feel extremely blessed and thankful to live in a mostly free world, such as the United States of America. We have the freedom of speech, expression, assembly, petition of government, religion, bear arms, etc. One of the questions in the civic test of the U.S citizenship study guide…

The 92nd General Assembly got off to a quick start. Among the measures voted on during the opening days of the 2019 legislative were bills of interest to Arkansas city officials.

Hardworking Arkansans have benefitted from historic tax relief that Congress passed in 2017. More than 2.2 million jobs have been created since President Donald Trump signed the bill into law, paychecks have increased and a greater number of Americans are able to keep more of their hard-earn…

The House has now wrapped up the second week of the Regular Session. More than 250 bills have been filed in the House so far.  And more than 150 have been filed in the Senate.

Not long ago, while volunteering as a traffic guide at the Waldron Elementary, a parent kindly said to me, “Mr. Sher, I can assure you that the kiddos will remember you for the rest of their lives.” I was puzzled and asked her in return, “What do you mean?” She replied, “Since you have done …

Waldron Nursing Center Residents and staff join in with helping celebrate National Activity Professional Week- Jan. 20-26. I personally appreciate Alex Carter, my activity assistant, for all that he does for our residents as well helping make sure we have a quality activity program to offer …

The state Constitution was adopted in 1874, but since then it has been amended 98 times.

She knew that she wasn’t supposed to be there, but it wasn’t like anyone was going to recognize her. She had lived alone at first and then ultimately on the street. Huddled in the alleyways behind the markets trying to escape notice, she scratched out an existence. It had been twelve years s…

Waldron Nursing Center Resident continue to enjoy the good weather days sitting in the patio area to visit or eat their lunch. At any given time three or four of the residents can be seen enjoying each others company in the area. Janis Hull, Dorothy Shepard, Gertrude Shelton and Jimmy Mize w…

Do you know what goals your child should be setting for this school year?  Do you know what mental health services are available at your child’s school?

Last year the Arkansas Economic Development Commission agreed to offer financial incentives for 133 new projects.

One of my summer traditions is traveling across Arkansas talking with agricultural producers and seeing the great work being done in our state to feed and clothe the nation and the world. The Ag Tour is a cornerstone of my work during the August in-state work period. I spend several days cro…

Do you believe in having a soulmate?  No matter what your skin color, your race, your religion or what shape or size your body is, or how many times you have fallen in love-you  end up either being disappointed or possibly even divorced until your true soulmate comes into your life.

All 75 counties in the state and 375 Arkansas cities and towns have signed on to a lawsuit against drug manufacturers and distributors of opioids.

Of all the gifts you’ll give your child, few will be more important than a college education. But affording that education requires many families to make a plan.

Women make up the majority of the world’s poor. They are often held back by gender-specific constraints to economic empowerment, such as lack of access to financial services and credit. In many corners of the world, these barriers make it difficult for women to start businesses, build saving…