Ten individuals have been named to the board of Common Ground Arkansas. Launched by state Sen. Jim Hendren in 2021, Common Ground Arkansas is a nonpartisan political organization and nonprofit designed to “disrupt the current system by running commonsense candidates…
Jim Hendren
State Sen. Jim Hendren’s hate crimes bill was not passed in committee on Wednesday. Hendren presented Senate Bill 3, which creates enhancements for offenders who target individuals based on protected attributes, to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, April 7.…
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Hendren’s Hate Crimes Bill Finally Going Before Committee
by Tyler Haleby Tyler HaleState Sen. Jim Hendren’s hate crimes bill is heading before a legislative committee on Wednesday. It has been a long path for Hendren’s proposed bill to get to committee. Entitled Senate Bill 3, this legislation was first filed on Nov.…
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Senate Judiciary Committee Passes Delayed Release Bill, Scaled-Back Hate Crime Legislation
by Tyler Haleby Tyler HaleA new hate crimes bill has passed out of committee that would delay release for offenders who target individuals from identifiable groups or classes. The Arkansas Senate Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 622 with a ‘Do Pass’ recommendation. The bill,…
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Urban League of Arkansas Launches Campaign in Support of Hate Crime Legislation
by Tyler Haleby Tyler HaleThe Urban League of the State of Arkansas (ULSA) is launching a new campaign aimed at passing hate crime legislation in the state. Entitled ‘AR United Against Hate,’ the campaign will officially kick off on Thursday, April 1. USLA officials,…
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Misty Orpin Leading Common Ground Arkansas as Executive Director
by AMP Staffby AMP StaffCommon Ground Arkansas has named Misty Orpin as its inaugural executive director. Founded by state senator Jim Hendren, Common Ground Arkansas is a nonpartisan political organization that aims to “disrupt the current system by running commonsense candidates who are more…
Republican state Sen. Jim Hendren made waves in February when he announced his decision to leave the GOP. In a state political environment dominated by Republicans, Hendren’s move raised eyebrows. Hendren explained to Arkansas Money & Politics the factors that…
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State Lawmakers Respond to Jim Hendren’s Decision to Leave GOP
by Tyler Haleby Tyler HaleOn Thursday morning (Feb. 18), state Sen. Jim Hendren threw a curveball into the political arena, announcing his intention to leave the Republican Party and become an independent. For Hendren, political polarization and incivility have hampered policymaking and coarsened public…
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Hendren Leaves Republican Party, Citing Political Polarization
by Tyler Haleby Tyler HaleState Sen. Jim Hendren is leaving the Republican Party and will continue serving in his legislative role with no party affiliation. A Gravette native, Hendren represents District 2, which includes parts of Benton and Washington counties, in the Arkansas Senate.…
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Stand-Your-Ground Bill Sends Sparks Flying During Committee Meeting
by Tyler Haleby Tyler HaleA new “stand your ground” bill caused minor fireworks during an Arkansas Senate judiciary committee meeting on Wednesday. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Bob Ballinger (R-Ozark) and co-primary sponsor Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R-Knoxville), has already attracted controversy, becoming one of…