Legislative Update
The legislature has chiefly concluded their business for the session. The people won a few, lost a lot, but most importantly blocked some really bad legislation. Overall, it was a disappointing session. We will post a recap next week detailing the most important bills that were approved and stopped.
URGENT 4/4 Action Calls
Two good bills are up for floor votes today. Please call the in-session number and ask your legislators to vote FOR SB71 and SB435. Feel free to text them as well. (Emails are a low priority at this point.)
SB71 is now in the House. This ends affirmative action and DEI programs within state government. Call 501-682-6211 and ask them to hand carry a note to your state representative to SUPPORT SB71.
SB435 is now in the Senate. This bill codifies your right to request and vote on a paper ballot. Call 501-682-2902 and ask them to hand carry a note to your state senator to SUPPORT SB435.
Full contact info: https://reopenarkansas.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-legislators-all-by-name-PDF.pdf
Senate contact info: https://reopenarkansas.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-Senators-by-name-PDF.pdf
House contact info: https://reopenarkansas.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-House-by-name-PDF.pdf
Action Calls 4/2
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