Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
There are two big developments this week regarding our state’s economy.
Unemployment in Arkansas continues to decline, and our budget forecast was adjusted to reflect an increase in revenue.
The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services says Arkansas’ unemployment rate decreased two-tenths of a percentage point from 4.2% in August to 4.0% in September.
This is the third month in a row that we have seen a decline in unemployment, and we continue to remain below the national rate of 4.8%.
We were also informed this week of a forecast revision to the general revenue budget. The Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) now says the forecast for Fiscal Year 2022 is $246.2 million more than previously forecasted.
The forecast revision for FY 2023 was also increased to $6.454 billion, which is an increase of $298.5 million over the prior release.
Individual income tax and sales and use tax are the two largest sources of general revenue to the state.
This week, the Governor outlined an income tax cut proposal but added he would not call for a special session the week of October 25 as originally planned.
The Governor’s proposal would lower the top rate from 5.9% to 5.5% in the next year and then lower it to 5.3% by 2024. His proposal also provides a low-income tax break and increases the individual tax credit.
Members continue to review tax cut proposals. It is anticipated that we will be called into a special session for that purpose at a later date.
The National Conference of State Legislatures reports that nine states have passed reductions in either personal or corporate income tax this year. Several other states are considering proposals.
We will continue to update you on any developments.You can find the latest news from the House of Representatives atwww.arkansashouse.org.
UA Cossatot’s OER Program Has Saved Students Nearly 2.5 Million Since 2015
PRESS RELEASE
183 College Drive, De Queen, AR 71832
870-584-1172
www.cccua.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 25 October 2021
CONTACT: Dustin Roberts, Director of Development
UA Cossatot’s OER Program Saves Students Nearly 2.5 Million Since 2015
UA Cossatot’s Open Educational Resource (OER) program has saved students of the college nearly 2.5 million in textbook rental fees. Since 2015, the program has saved students $2,238,961.07.
“We began our innovative internal textbook rental and OER program with a primary goal of removing the financial barrier expensive textbooks posed to our students and it’s clear that we’ve accomplished that goal. In six short years, we’ve saved our students millions of dollars in textbook expenses and we continue to lead Arkansas in OER usage among two-year colleges,” said OER Specialist and Director of Educational Resources Relinda Ruth.
UA Cossatot students have saved $433,793.85 for the three semesters of 2020-21. In addition, UA Cossatot’s OER adoption has grown significantly. At the end of the 2015-16 academic year, UA Cossatot was 35% OER. Currently, the college is at 65%.
Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole said, “In 2015, we decided that college did not have to cost as much as it does and we knew that if we developed a way students could save money, it would help students reach their goals. Eliminating most, if not all, of the costs associated with textbooks was something that we knew would help students clear a major hurdle in their educational pursuits. Six years later, our faculty have converted 65% of all UA Cossatot courses to Open Educational Resources (OER), meaning zero textbook cost for their courses. We will always keep looking for creative ways to make college more affordable to our students.”
Director Ruth will present at Open Florida, speaking on “Zero to Sixty in Five Years: University of Arkansas-Cossatot Pathway to 60% Participation.” In addition, Ruth will travel to Atlanta next year and present at the SREB conference, speaking on “Developmental Education and College Readiness.”
For more information on UA Cossatot’s OER program, contact Relinda Ruth at 870-584-1181 or rruth@cccua.edu.
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The University of Arkansas Cossatot is a community college in Southwest Arkansas accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Offering technical certification and Associate degrees, UAC also collaborates with other colleges and universities to offer bachelor's degrees on its three campuses. UAC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution in compliance with the Higher Education Act of 1965 and other Civil Rights laws and offers equal opportunity for admission and employment. Employment preference is given to applicants possessing a Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) with all other qualifications being equal. Programs and activities of UAC are provided to all students without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, Vietnam era veteran or special disabled veteran status, or sex. Questions or concerns regarding affirmative action can be directed to the Compliance Officer, c/o UA Cossatot, 183 College Drive, De Queen, AR 71832. For Arkansas RELAY Voiced Services call 711 or 800-285-1121. Visit www.cccua.edu for more information.
UA Cossatot Colts Basketball Season Tips Off November 1
Severe Weather Briefing for Arkansas
The potential for severe weather remains for Sunday night into the early morning hours on Monday. All severe hazards will be possible, including damaging winds, large hail, and some tornadic activity. Please refer to the attached briefing for the latest information.
Active Cases of COVID-19 in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 67Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 43Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 29Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 23Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 22
Department of Health Urges Arkansans to Get Flu Shot
By DANIEL CARUTH & KYLE KELLAMS
The Arkansas Department of Health is encouraging people to get vaccinated for the flu this fall to avoid an outbreak and potential strain on the state's hospitals. After a mild flu season in 2020, ADH officials say immunity to new strains of influenza could be worse if more people aren't vaccinated. Health units across the state are offering the flu shot to anyone at no cost.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/department-health-urges-arkansans-get-flu-shot
Free flu shots are available through mass clinics and at local health units across the state this fall.
COURTESY / ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
According to the Arkansas Department of Health, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer. It is the most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of death among women. In 2018, there were 2,339 new breast cancer cases and 368 cancer deaths in the state.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer and the importance of early detection. In 1997, the Arkansas General Assembly passed the Breast Cancer Act, which led to the ADH’s BreastCare program. The BreastCare program coordinates efforts with providers to offer no-cost screenings and follow-up services to eligible women who are uninsured or underinsured.
Last year, the program served 8,403 women in fiscal year 2021. Those services resulted in 62 Arkansas women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer.
The General Assembly continually reviews legislation to improve services for early detection. In the most recent legislative session, we passed Act 553.
ACT 553 amends the law concerning coverage of diagnostic examinations for breast cancer under certain health benefit plans. It clarifies that an insurer, upon the recommendation of a woman's physician, must offer screening mammography as an essential health benefit if the woman has a prior history of breast cancer or the woman's mother, sister, or any first- or second-degree female relative of the woman has had a history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other risk factors.
According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected early and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Early detection includes doing monthly breast self-exams and scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms.
The Arkansas Department of Health is encouraging women to talk with their healthcare providers about getting screened. If you would like more information on the BreastCare program, call 501-661-2942 or visit www.arbreastcare.com.
Severe Weather Briefing from the National Weather Service/Little Rock
A slow moving cold front will continue to move toward Arkansas today, eventually passing through the state on Friday. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop along and ahead of the front. An isolated strong to severe thunderstorm cannot be ruled out.
West and northwest Arkansas remain most at risk for the strongest storms today. Also, this is where the heaviest rain occurred the last twenty four hours, and the area is susceptible to flash flooding.
Thunderstorms will exit the west/northwest this afternoon, with the flash flood concern diminishing.
The Day Crew
National Weather Service
Little Rock, Arkansas
UA Cossatot Collecting Food Items for Thanksgiving Holiday Food Boxes
The UA Cossatot chapter of Rotaract is partnering with the Center for Student Success to provide Thanksgiving meal boxes to our students. We ask anyone who would like to help gather the attached food items and drop them off at any of our ERCs. Our goal is to serve a total of 150 students. We plan to provide this service to students on all campuses.
Rotaract is partnering with the Center for Student Success to complete this service project. Rotaract is the college level of Rotary, and we focus on service, professional development, Leadership, and networking.
Please help us spread the word.
VIDEO: 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Coming with Longest Viewing Duration in SW AR; Preparations Being Made
Julianne Dunne, Hazelle Whited, Brook Kaufman, and Suzanne Babb came to our De Queen studios this morning to talk about advance planning for the 2024 eclipse.
A total solar eclipse will take place at the Moon's ascending node on Monday, April 8, 2024, visible across North America and dubbed the Great North American Eclipse by some of the media.
COVID-19 Active Cases in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 77
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 44
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 38
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 67
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 20
COVID-19 Active Cases in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 80
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 47
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 52
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 33
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 22
Arkansas Planning and Development Districts Resident Survey
The Arkansas Economic Development Institute (AEDI) & the ASU Delta Center are asking for our help with the historic Covid-19 study and survey to help all Arkansas Community Leaders, Business Organizations, and Citizens with Resiliency & Recovery. Southwest has received 2 survey links, one for Organization, and the other for all Southwest Region Residents.
All 8 Arkansas Planning & Development Districts (PDD) are working together to get feedback from their Region on how the pandemic has influenced health and economic well-being at this moment in time for each of the 8 Arkansas Regions. We are asking our Southwest Residents to please take a few minutes and fill out this important, and anonymous, Survey. Each PDD will use the information received from the Surveys to create their Region’s Strategic Plan for any future disasters/pandemics. When completed this coming Spring, all 8 Regional Plans will help all of Arkansas be better prepared and more resilient in the face of future disasters. We sincerely thank you for helping us with this enormously important project.
Link: http://astate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cIkTI1MfodIbo5U
Public Schools and Colleges in SW Arkansas COVID-19 Active Case Numbers
The ADH has released their most recent report on the number of active cases of COVID-19 in the state's public schools and colleges, and the numbers for most area schools continue to trend downward. Some area schools of note include:
UA Cossatot, Mineral Springs, Kirby: less than 5 ( ADH does not release info for schools with fewer than 5 active cases to protect student privacy)
Mena 8
De Queen 5
Ashdown 5
Centerpoint 5
Nashville 8
South Pike County 13
Horatio 9
Texarkana, AR 8
Cossatot River 7
Dierks 5
Foreman 6
For the complete report, please visit:
https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/pdf/School_Report_09272021.pdf
Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 86
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 40
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 71
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 51
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 42
COVID-19 Active Cases Numbers in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 99
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 55
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 89
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 102
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 58
Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 128
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 74
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 102
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 140
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 97
Current Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 132
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 82
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 90
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 122
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 101
Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 131
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 100
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 109
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 110
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 104
