The legislative session is winding down, and the pace is furious! These are the most important bills that need action this week:
1.) SB435 (voter’s right to request a paper ballot) passed the senate committee last week and should be voted on Monday. Please contact any / all state senators by Noon Monday to SUPPORT SB435.
Contact list: https://reopenarkansas.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-Senators-by-name-PDF.pdf
Also, call the senate switchboard Monday morning and ask them to hand carry a note to YOUR own state senator, requesting that he SUPPORT SB435: 501-682-2902. This is an important tool that sends a strong message!
2.) HB1610 unfortunately passed the full house Thursday with 52 votes. This is the bill which allows portions of quorum courts, city councils, and school boards to hold secret meetings with no public notice, no recording, and not FOIAble. We believe the senate committee is stacked against us, so contact your own senator (and any others) to vote NO on HB1610. This is a rare bill, where the Democrats might vote NO with the conservatives, leaving the moderate R’s voting yes.
Contact list: https://reopenarkansas.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-Senators-by-name-PDF.pdf
3.) SB71 should be heard in House State Agencies Monday afternoon. This is the bill that finally ends affirmative action in state hiring. It passed the senate without a vote to spare, so it will need your support in the House, which is the less conservative chamber. Let your state rep know that you want to END affirmative action in Arkansas by voting YES on SB71.
Contact list: https://reopenarkansas.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-House-state-agencies.pdf
Full House contact list: https://reopenarkansas.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-House-by-name-PDF.pdf
I support all these SB’s.