Opinion

The United States of America is a leader in both energy and food production. We are blessed with tremendous resources that have helped our country thrive and enabled Americans to enjoy the benefits of ample access to necessities and staples for everyday living.

The 93rd General Assembly wrapped up its fiscal session this week, and today I’d like to commend legislators for their support of law enforcement in Arkansas. The 93rd General Assembly was one of the most law enforcement friendly sessions ever.

LITTLE ROCK – The legislature completed the 2022 fiscal session in 23 days, approving a budget for state government that calls for spending about $6 billion in general revenue next year. A highlight of the fiscal session was approval of crime prevention measures, such as funding $5,000 salary supplements for local law enforcement officers.

From one-time bonuses to increased funding for safety equipment, the 93rd General Assembly made support for law enforcement a top priority in this fiscal session. Act 224 provides a onetime stipend of $5,000 to full-time certified city and county law enforcement officers as well as probation and parole officers.

Little Rock– Certified law enforcement officers will get a $5,000 salary stipend this year, thanks to a Senate bill approved by the Arkansas legislature. To qualify for the stipend, officers must have completed a basic training program approved by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training.

The Revenue Stabilization Act (RSA) is typically one of the last items passed every session. It categorizes and prioritizes state spending.

There is a major disconnect between the struggles Americans experience every day and the image President Biden and his team are trying to project. This is most apparent in rural America. In his State of the Union address, the president only mentioned the word “rural” once, and the administration has failed to prioritize the needs of our farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers.

In the week since Russia invaded Ukraine, Arkansas has joined most of the world in condemning the unprovoked assault. Today I’d like to share the story of a woman from Ukraine who is watching the war from Arkansas and praying for her relatives and friends who are sheltering in basements in her homeland. Kateryna Pitchford’s story highlights the reality of the war for the rest of us.

Little Rock– The legislature approved a package of bills that allow greater oversight of two major health insurance plans that cover public school teachers and state employees. The new laws require the systems to maintain financial reserves, and to take steps to build up their reserves if they fall below a certain point.

The House will begin the 3rd week of the 2022 Fiscal Session on Monday. The second week was an abbreviated one due to the federal holiday and winter weather across the state.