Arkansas News

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Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force Recommendations In Line With “Dream Big For Arkansas”

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During the 2019 Legislative Session, the Republican Women Legislative Caucus developed “Dream BIG For Arkansas: Bold Initiatives for the Good of Arkansas” which resulted in legislation in five key areas: healthcare, broadband, childcare, education and juvenile justice reform. All of these bills became Acts with nearly unanimous support from the General Assembly.

Yesterday during the Governor’s daily COVID-19 update, Governor Hutchinson outlined a number of recommendations from the Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force chaired by Steuart Walton. Three of the key issues they identified as important to Arkansas's economic recovery and growth are completely in line with legislation our caucus passed: broadband, childcare, and healthcare.

Senator Missy Irvin (R- Mountain View) released the following statement: “Dream BIG for Arkansas successfully designed and passed “game-changing” legislation of policies that would dramatically advance Arkansas’s economic standing in our country. The leadership of these women in their communities and our shared experiences and passion for our citizens, led to great work during the past session. This work continues everyday as we respond to our constituents’ experiences and circumstances. Dream BIG strives to make Arkansans’ lives better. We have a lot of work left to do!”

Act 198: An Act to amend the Telecommunications Regulatory Reform Act of 2013; to provide additional access to Federal Communications Commission-Defined Broadband Service. This Act laid the foundation for the Rural Broadband ID Program that was passed this past fiscal session. Many members of the General Assembly - from both parties - have requested for this program to be fully funded as soon as possible. This program assists local communities along with their internet service providers with grants to meet the federal grant requirements available for expanding rural broadband access for federally eligible rural areas. It is a companion program for Governor Hutchinson’s AR Rural Connect Program, which has been fully funded. Now more than ever, our state must focus on increasing broadband access to the home for students, businesses, and patients.

Act 131: An Act to encourage Child Care Facility Entrepreneurship in Arkansas conferencing the duties of the Division of Child Care and Early Education within the Department of Human Services. This act lays the foundation for the reconnections of the Task Force. This legislation was designed to expand childcare options, especially in underserved areas, by making information more available through a website, reducing regulations as much as possible, and finding ways to fund and support entrepreneurship for child care facilities.

Act 181: An Act concerning the pursuit of a National Cancer Institute Designated Cancer Center at the Winthrop P Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; to create the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences National Cancer Institute Designation Trust Fund. Clearly with the current pandemic, there is a great need for UAMS to be fully engaged in ALL areas of research and assistance In order to advance healthcare in Arkansas. UAMS has been a key partner with the Arkansas Department of Health in all areas of dealing with the Coronavirus Pandemic. Pursuing NCI designation has already brought great talent to UAMS and will raise our states opportunities for greater engagement for research and funding for these efforts. This legislation launched UAMS into a higher level of recognition and opportunities. This will be incredibly important for our citizens not just in cancer treatment, but in all areas of improving their health.

The Republican Women’s Legislative Caucus is working to continue our bold initiatives for the Good of Arkansas by building on these key areas of economic recovery and growth as identified by the Task Force, as well as education and workforce sustainability and development. We applaud their work and recommendations and are encouraged to continue our work for the good of Arkansas.

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Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

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On Wednesday, members of the Arkansas Legislative Council were given an update on unemployment claims in the state. This week, we have also been reviewing a preliminary report from the Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force.

Arkansas’s unemployment rate doubled from 5.0% in March to 10.2% in April. The U.S. rate is 14.7%. There were more than 206,000 of initial unemployment claims filed from the week ending March 7 to the week ending May 9. For the week ending May 2, there were 119,332 continued unemployment claims.

Since May 1, close to 39,000 Arkansans have applied for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance resulting in $19.3 million of paid claims. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance is being offered through the CARES Act and provides compensation to those not typically eligible for unemployment benefits such as free-lancers and those who are self-employed.

If you have filed for unemployment or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, be sure to check your emails for updates to your account and make sure you submit your weekly claims.

While Arkansas’s economy is faring better than many other states, the fact remains that Arkansans are hurting. The challenge now is to restore our economy and consumer confidence in a way that protects the health of workers, customers, and communities.

The Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force was created in April to develop a strategy for economic recovery efforts.

The task force released a preliminary report this week outlining several recommendations. Those recommendations include increase testing and tracing, addressing COVID-19 related liability concerns for businesses, increasing childcare resources, workforce training, and broadband availability.

The task force noted that much of Arkansas’s recovery will be predicated by our citizens and our businesses continuing to be responsible stakeholders in the recovery efforts. The report states, “Over the next few months, we will all need to adhere to Arkansas’s Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control’s directives in order to manage the impact of COVID-19 throughout our state. Importantly, we need Arkansans to maintain social distancing protocols set out by the Arkansas Department of Health in public settings. Doing so will help protect our friends and relatives from the spread of the virus and undoubtedly accelerate our state’s economic recovery.”

You can read the entire report at www.arkansasready.com

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The Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force was formed to provide information to help Arkansans confidently and safely return to life and work. This industry-specific platform provides a single source for recommendations on how you can help the Arkansas economy recover from the effects of COVID-19.

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Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Coming Back from the Health and Economic Crisis

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LITTLE ROCK – The Economic Recovery Task Force has submitted its interim report to me, and today I’d like to talk about some of the steps we need to take to boost our economy after COVID-19.

The report paints an accurate picture of COVID’s impact on the state. For example, it notes 5,500 jobs were lost in the hotel industry, and there has been a 13.4 percent decrease in total consumer spending.

We see the signs everywhere that the pandemic has dealt our state and nation a setback, but I am optimistic about our future and a return to a growing economy.

Typically, Arkansans have acted responsibly, which has blunted the loss of jobs that we have seen in other states. While the precautions and limits have been inconvenient, we knew they were necessary for everyone’s health. Arkansans’ willingness to look beyond their own personal comfort has allowed us to beat the national projections for the number of illnesses and deaths. Our rates of illness and death are among the lowest in the country.

In terms of our economy, before the coronavirus hit, Arkansas was enjoying historically low unemployment and a thriving economy.

By mid-April, when we hit the peak of business disruption, about 17,000 of Arkansas’s small businesses were closed, which represents 35 percent of the total. That is 10 percent below the national average.

The unemployment rate rose to 10.2 percent in April, but that is 4 percent lower than the national average.

A U.S. Census survey taken in early May found that 39 percent of Arkansans had lost some income since mid-March. Another 23 percent of Arkansas households reported “housing insecurity.”

The physical, economic, and emotional toll on Arkansans is hard to comprehend. But this isn’t the first time we have weathered difficult days. We have overcome hardship before.

The members of the Economic Recovery Task Force have been hard at work over the past six weeks. They have studied the impact from every angle as they chart a path to recovery. They have identified opportunities, such as increased workforce training and expanding rural broadband, that not only will help us as we work our way out of this but will have a long-lasting impact on Arkansas.

The task force also recommended liability protection as businesses return, open, and expand, and they also recommend new solutions for the childcare needs of workers.

The Task Force Chairman, Steuart Walton, expressed his optimism at a news conference this last week. He noted that the health crisis and the resulting economic crisis are linked. We can’t beat one unless we beat the other.

We will conquer both. Arkansans are doing a great job of looking out for one another. That is just the way we are.

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Governor Announces New COVID-19 Advisory Board To Review Testing Contact-Tracing Technology

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LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has created the COVID-19 Technical Advisory Board to review and evaluate new technologies as the state’s public health agencies develop strategies for testing and contact tracing, the governor announced at his daily COVID-19 press briefing today.

“Two of the most critical tools in our ongoing efforts to stop COVID-19 are testing and finding those who have had contact with someone who is sick or who has tested positive,” Governor Hutchinson said today. “The technology for those tasks is changing rapidly. This advisory board will review options to ensure that we are employing the best tools that will allow us to quickly mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.”

Governor Hutchinson appointed Dr. Austin Porter III as chair of the COVID-19 Technical Advisory Board. Dr. Porter is the Deputy Chief Science Officer at the Arkansas Department of Health.

The Governor’s other appointees to the COVID-19 Technical Advisory Board are:

  • Nolan Leatherwood, Interim Chief Information Security Officer, Arkansas Department of Information Systems.

  • Donald McCormick, Epidemiologist, Arkansas Department of Health.

  • Jim Carter, Chief Information Officer, Arkansas Department of Health.

  • Adita Karkera, Deputy State Chief Data Officer, Arkansas Department of Information Systems.

  • Dr. Michael Cima, Chief Epidemiologist and Associate Director for Science, Arkansas Department of Health.

  • Dr. Mandana Rezaeiahari, Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

  • Dr. Kevin Sexton, Co-Director of Healthcare Analytics, Institute of Digital Health and Innovation; Associate Chief Clinical Informatics Officer for Innovation, Research, and Entrepreneurship; Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Biomedical Informatics and Health Policy Management, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

  • Jennifer Davis, Chief Privacy Officer, Arkansas Department of Information Systems.

  • Anne Santifer, Director, Office of Health Information Technology, Arkansas Department of Health.

  • Kim Gardner, Arkansas Department of Human Services.

  • Clark Cogbill, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Department of Commerce.

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UA Cossatot and the University of Arkansas Create a Pathway for Business Transfer Students

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On May 21, 2020, UA Cossatot Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole, signed an articulation agreement with the University of Arkansas Walton School of Business in Fayetteville for the Associate of Science Business transfer degree. This degree will allow students completing the degree to seamlessly transfer to the University of Arkansas Walton School of Business online or as a resident student.

UA Cossatot Division Chair of Professional Studies, Barbara Lacefield, said, “We have been working for quite some time to get this agreement completed, so we are excited to finally have everything in place. We have had an agreement with other schools in the state for several years but nothing specific for the University of Arkansas, until now.”

Students who choose to complete this 62 credit hour associate’s degree at UA Cossatot can do so entirely online. They can then transfer to the Fayetteville campus to major in a variety of subjects, including business administration, marketing, management, and supply chain management. The agreement also allows students to transfer online to earn a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, accounting, and general business.

Business transfer students from UA Cossatot who choose to move to Fayetteville and take classes on campus can qualify for the Arkansas Transfer Scholarship. This scholarship allows transfer students living on campus to pay the same tuition rate they paid at UA Cossatot ($74 per credit hour) at Fayetteville.
The Associate of Science Business degree at UA Cossatot is designed to improve employability and also transfer. With this new transfer agreement, more business students can earn more affordable degrees with excellent quality.

For more information or any questions, please contact UA Cossatot’s Student Services department at studentservices@cccua.edu.

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De Queen High Graduate Ashlyn Chambers Member of UCA Scholars Program

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The University Scholars Program at the University of Central Arkansas is pleased to announce that Ashlyn Chambers has been accepted as a member of the incoming Fall 2020 class of honors scholars.

This highly selective award is made to 30 graduating high school students from Arkansas and elsewhere. Members of the incoming class are selected using a holistic admission process that requires an application essay, recommendation, and review of the student’s transcript.

The child of Adam and Lori Chambers, Ashlyn Chambers is a graduate of De Queen High School, achieving a GPA of 4.0172, and earning the following academic distinctions: Daughters of the American Revolution selection, History Rotary Award, Chemistry Academic Award, and Heisman Scholarship School Winner. Along with earning 37 college hours while in high school and earning a 31 on the ACT (superscore of 33), Ashlyn was a member of the following organizations: National Honor Society, Gifted and Talented, Interact Club, and the Lady Leopard basketball and track teams.

Acceptance into the University Scholars Program comes with a stipend and private room upgrade scholarship valued at over $12,000, access to a living-learning community in Jefferson W. Farris Honors Hall, and participation in a unique interdisciplinary curriculum with ample opportunities for service learning, project-based education, collaborative work, undergraduate research, and travel support. In addition to the University Scholars Program Stipend, Ashlyn has received the UCA Excellence Scholarship and the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship for a total of over $54,000. She will be majoring in Nutrition Science and then plans to get her Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

Founded in 2018 by Dr. Patricia Smith, under President Houston Davis, the University Scholars Program runs parallel to UCA’s Norbert O. Schedler Honors College to offer additional honors opportunities at UCA. The University Scholars Program seeks to develop high-achieving students as leaders who are ready to take action in their profession and community.

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Governor Hutchinson Announces Dr. Nate Smith Moving to CDC, Appoints Dr. Jose Romero As Interim Health Secretary

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Photos L-R: Dr. Nate Smith, Dr. Jose Romero

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Secretary of Health Dr. Nate Smith has accepted a position with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced today at his daily COVID-19 update news conference.

The Governor has appointed Dr. Jose Romero, chief medical officer at the Arkansas Department of Health and chief of the pediatric infectious disease section at Arkansas Children’s, as interim Secretary of Health.

“Dr. Smith literally has stood by my side nearly every day since March 11, when I declared that COVID-19 was a health emergency for Arkansas,” Governor Hutchinson said. “We have spent uncounted hours communicating in every way possible – in person, by telephone and text, and by email. His counsel has guided and informed every decision I have made as we have navigated this public health crisis.

“He educated me, counseled me, challenged me, and supported me. His access to national experts on infectious disease allowed us to quickly gather information and respond rapidly as our situation changed, sometimes by the hour.

“Secretary Smith’s selection to serve at the national level affirms what we already knew, that with him at the helm, we were in good hands. To say that I am saddened doesn’t begin to describe my feelings, but I am thrilled that our nation now will have the benefit of his expertise, wisdom, and compassion.

“For all the work he has done during his years in Arkansas, and especially over the past four months, his compassion for the people of Arkansas is what I will remember most about Dr. Smith’s service to our state.”

Dr. Smith, who will become the Deputy Director for Public Health Service and Implementation Science at CDC, will remain as Arkansas Secretary of Health through August 28, 2020.

“I have learned an incredible amount from my colleagues here,” Dr. Smith said. “I am honored to take this role at CDC, but it is not easy to leave ADH or this wonderful state. It has been a privilege to serve as Secretary of Health. I plan to take everything I’ve learned through my experiences here to my role at CDC.”   

Dr. Romero has been at Arkansas Children’s since 2008, and he has been the Arkansas Department of Health’s chief medical officer since April of this year. Dr. Romero also serves as the chair of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with the CDC. The Governor recently appointed him to serve on the medical advisory panel he created to guide the state during the pandemic.

“Dr. Romero has been involved in the COVID-19 fight since the first day, and his move to Interim Secretary of Health will allow a seamless transition that will ensure we continue to successfully mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and cautiously lift restrictions throughout Arkansas,” Governor Hutchinson said. “Dr. Romero’s international perspective and relationships have been invaluable in our fight against this pandemic.”

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De Queen Author, James Babb, Wins Best Book Award from Arkansas Historical Society

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De Queen author, James Babb, wins ‘best book’ award from Arkansas Historical Society

By Marty Bachman editor@dequeenbee.com

De Queen author, James Babb, wins 'best book' award from Arkansas Historical Society

De Queen resident James Babb has won the Arkansas Historical Society's Susannah DeBlack Award for the best book in Arkansas history for young readers, for his book, "Weary Road." It is the third time Babb, whose books focus on the fourth grade and up reader, has won the award.

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Governor Hutchinson Delivers Memorial Day Address

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LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson delivered remarks today at a Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. 

The following is a transcript of his remarks:

I want to express my thanks to Major General Penn for his leadership; to Colonel Todd and his great work with our veterans administration, and for making sure that we appropriately honor our veterans each year and every day in the way that we serve our veterans; to Commissioner Tommy Land, thank you for being here; the representatives of the Arkansas veteran service organizations for your continued leadership each year; to the Gold Star families that are here, representing a family that has given the sacrifice, we are grateful for you being here, but also for what you mean to our nation; and then to Congressman French Hill, who is here faithfully every year, rain or shine, mask or no mask, he is here to support our veterans.

We are gathering today in a difficult and confusing time in world history. We are gathering, of course, to remember those who fought and died to preserve freedom and to protect our homeland. In many states, you will not see this observance. In many states they have canceled their memorial services. And I am glad that in Arkansas that we have decided to go ahead and to honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice today, even though it is under unusual circumstances and protocols. It is important that we gather today to honor their sacrifice to our country, because without their sacrifice, our country would be totally different today, and the world would be change and not for the better. The world would be in a darker place, with the light of freedom dimmed in Europe, Asia, and many places around the globe; but throughout our history, American men and women of valor have taken up arms and pushed back against the night. Thousands of those brave warriors lie at rest here at the State Veterans Cemetery. Today, we remember them and honor them for their service and sacrifice.

It is reported that during the dark days of the American Revolution, when literally all was at stake, many had gone back home, had deserted, some had died from illness, and from their war wounds, it was a difficult and dark time in the American Revolution. And it was said that during one night, General George Washington gave the command 'tonight put none but Americans on guard.' And we have thought about, for centuries actually, what did he mean by that phrase, because at that time, many in the service of our newfound country, were not born in America. So, it's not talking about their nationalism. It was talking about their spirit. He wanted those Americans on guard who understood freedom and the depths of their soul, and understood sacrifice that was necessary to preserve and to win that freedom. It was those soldiers that understood that freedom that we remember today that have paid that sacrifice. In other words, those during the American Revolution, and since then, that have given of themselves have reflected the American spirit, and the American character, and the American spirit and character does make a difference for the world.

Today, we face another enemy, it is a deadly virus – cannot be seen. It silently attacks and kills. Almost 100,000 Americans have lost their lives within 100 days as a result of this new enemy. How do we respond? Well, we respond the same as Americans have responded for more than 200 years: with grit by calling upon the strength of the American character, and the resilience of the American spirit.

There's a historic picture that I found over the weekend. It's a historic picture that's circulating in Atlanta, Georgia. It is a picture of Grant Stadium, the football stadium in 1918. Now think about 1918 for a moment. We were right at the conclusion of World War I. We had lost so many Americans during that global war. But we were also hit by a global pandemic that ultimately killed 600,000 Americans. It was a different day in time. But the picture of Grant Stadium, where Georgia Tech plays, they had a picture one of the football arena, then they had a picture of the stands. And in the stands, you saw all of the fans, wearing face coverings and appropriately, socially distancing six feet apart. That was over 100 years ago. They reflected the spirit of our great country, war in Europe and a deadly virus at home, yet life went on with common sense protections. And if they can go to a football game, surely, we can come here today in these unusual circumstances to honor those that have given the ultimate sacrifice.

Let me assure you today that we will win this fight as well. I am more confident than ever because of the ingenuity and hard work of our medical professionals, and because the American spirit, which replaces fear with action, common sense and compassion. So today, let's remember those who gave their lives for our freedom. Let's continue to enjoy our freedom. And let's work to protect those who are neighbors, fellow Americans, and friends. God bless the United States of America.

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Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

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Memorial Day will be different this year. The threat of the coronavirus will limit the large gatherings of people who typically come together at ceremonies.

But the virus cannot stop us from taking a moment of private reflection to honor the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform who died protecting freedom.

Arkansas was and is home to so many brave men and women who deserve our recognition. Our state lost 2,183 Arkansans in World War I.

World War II had a great economic and social impact on the people of Arkansas. During the war, an estimated 194,645 Arkansans served the nation in the various branches of the U.S. armed forces. That was approximately 10% of our state’s population in 1940. As a result of combat, 3,519 Arkansans lost their lives.

Arkansans continued to answer the call to serve. There were 461 Arkansans who lost their lives in the Korean War and 588 during the Vietnam War.

We lost 4 of our own in Desert Storm, 33 in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and 29 in Operation Enduring Freedom.

And today, there are thousands who serve willing to put their lives on the line to protect our freedom still.

In 2017, the Arkansas General Assembly passed Act 281 which instructed the Secretary of State to erect a monument honoring Gold Star Families. The monument is located directly behind the Capitol and was dedicated last fall. The Gold Star Family Memorial Monument honors those families who sacrificed more than most of us, and illustrates that the United States has citizens in every community willing to make such sacrifices. It further illustrates that families suffer and grieve when a dear relative is lost, and without their sacrifices, freedom could not and would not have been preserved.

Monuments and ceremonies are just two of hundreds of ways to honor our men and women in uniform, but the one act of appreciation each of us can do, even in the middle of a pandemic, is to be the kind of American worth fighting for.