State Capitol

James Sturch, Arkansas Senator A panel of three federal judges dismissed portions of a lawsuit filed against state officials, in which plaintiffs argue that the legislature violated the federal Voting Rights Act last year when it drew new maps for the state’s four Congressional districts.The lawsuit contends that the new map dilutes the strength of African-American voters by splitting Pulaski County among three separate Congressional Districts.Traditionally, Pulaski County has been entirely within…

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James Sturch, Arkansas Senator The Senate and House Committees on Education are scheduled to vote on next year’s adequacy report at their meeting in early October.The committees went over a draft of the adequacy report at their September meeting. The legislature has been conducting adequacy reviews since 2003, to ensure that state funding of public schools is constitutionally adequate and equitable. The committee’s final report is due November 1.There is heightened interest…

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James Sturch, Arkansas Senator When it meets in special session the legislature will consider a $50 million grant program for school safety measures. The governor proposed making grants available for schools that need financial help to implement recommendations made recently by the Arkansas School Safety Commission. Although its final report isn’t due until October 1, the commission has already released a preliminary report with a long list of recommendations. The governor reinstated…

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James Sturch, Arkansas Senator When it meets in special session the legislature will consider a $50 million grant program for school safety measures. The governor proposed making grants available for schools that need financial help to implement recommendations made recently by the Arkansas School Safety Commission. Although its final report isn’t due until October 1, the commission has already released a preliminary report with a long list of recommendations. The governor reinstated…

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James Sturch, Arkansas Senator The governor announced that he would call the legislature into special session on August 8 to consider income tax cuts that would save Arkansas families and businesses almost $700 million when they take effect. The legislature enacted many of the measures last December during a previous special session. The tax reductions were to be phased in over several years. Due the enormous size of the state’s budget surplus,…

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