As school resumed recently during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most hotly debated issues has been whether schools should require masks for students and staff to help prevent spread of the disease that in Arkansas…
Trent Garner
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Gov. Hutchinson Says New Biden Vaccine Mandate is Wrong Approach
by AMP Staffby AMP StaffGovernor Hutchinson stated Thursday evening that he believes President Biden’s latest mandate, that private businesses require employees to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, is the wrong approach. The Biden administration rolled out expansive rules on Thursday which mandate that all employers…
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In Letter to State Leaders, Tom Mars Says He Will File Suit If Act 1002 Not Repealed
Fayetteville Attorney Tom Mars announced Wednesday that he has sent a letter to Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Senate President Pro Tempore Jimmy Hickey Jr. and Speaker of the House Matthew Shepherd outlining specific legal reasons to repeal or suspend Act…
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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With New Bill, Lawmaker Seeks to End Mask Mandate Immediately
by Tyler Haleby Tyler HaleA new bill filed Monday in the Arkansas General Assembly seeks to immediately end the face mask requirement in Arkansas. Sen. Trent Garner (R-El Dorado) filed Senate Bill 590 to end the face covering requirement, with the bill stating that…
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Senate Votes to Prohibit AEDC from Establishing Office in China
by Tyler Haleby Tyler HaleThe Arkansas Senate has passed a bill that would prohibit the Arkansas Economic Development Commission from setting up or maintaining an office in China. On Wednesday, March 10, state senators passed Senate Bill 252 (SB252) in a narrow 19-9 vote,…
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Senate Passes Bill Allowing Businesses to Forgo Attorney in Small Claims Cases Less Than $2,000
by Tyler Haleby Tyler HaleA bill that would allow business owners to appear in court without an attorney for cases involving less than $2,000 passed the Senate on Wednesday. Sen. Trent Garner (R-El Dorado) sponsored Senate Bill 281, which allows businesses in specific instances…
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Arkansas Senate Passes Bill Removing Sworn Statements from Voting Process
by Tyler Haleby Tyler HaleA bill that will remove sworn statements as a way of casting a provisional ballot in Arkansas has been passed by the Arkansas Senate. House Bill 1112, which was sponsored by senators Alan Clark, Missy Irvin, Mark Johnson and Jason…
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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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Cash & Candor: Competition is Good for Democracy, SB163 is Not
by Caleb Talleyby Caleb Talleyby Caleb Talley I wondered how deep we would get into the current legislative session before my weekend-column hiatus was forced to end. Less than a month, and I’m surprised it took that long. And since I haven’t contributed to…