Tourism in Arkansas grew at a healthy rate last year, whether it’s measured in total spending or how many people visited the state or how many jobs are supported by the travel industry. An official report was released detailing the…
View From the Senate
- AMP NewsPolitics
View from the Senate: Public Health Committee Focuses on Vaping
by AMP Staffby AMP StaffThe joint Senate and House Committees on Public Health, Welfare and Labor approved a study proposal to combat the dramatic increase in teenagers’ use of vaping products, also known as e-cigarettes. Also last week, the President Pro Tem of the…
- AMP NewsBusiness
View from the Senate: Crisis Stabilization Units and Teacher Retirement
by AMP Staffby AMP StaffIn 2017 the legislature approved the creation of four crisis stabilization units (CSU), where police officers can bring people who are experiencing a severe mental health episode. In the past, many people undergoing a mental health crisis were locked up…
- AMP NewsHealth CarePolitics
View from the Senate: UAMS Grant to Expand Rural Access to Healthcare
by AMP Staffby AMP StaffThe University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences received a grant of $4.6 million to boost its program to encourage primary care physicians to practice in rural areas. UAMS, the state’s main medical school, has eight regional campuses around the state.…
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View from the Senate: Controlling Growth in Medicaid Spending
by AMP Staffby AMP StaffAlmost three years ago a task force of Arkansas legislators submitted its final report on how to control the growing costs of the state Medicaid program. Since then the state Human Services Department (DHS) has adopted a series of reforms…
- AMP NewsHealth & SciencePolitics
View from the Senate: State Battles Opioid Abuse
by AMP Staffby AMP StaffLast year 426 Arkansas residents died from a drug overdose, according to death certificates filed with the state Health Department. That is an increase in fatal drug overdoses from 2017, when 417 people in Arkansas died from drugs. The data…
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View from the Senate: State Has 26 Open Enrollment Charter Schools
by AMP Staffby AMP StaffWith the opening of the 2019-2020 school year, there are 26 open enrollment charter schools in Arkansas. Two new ones are scheduled to open this year in Pulaski County. The state Charter School Authorizing Panel recently recommended approval of an…
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View from the Senate: Penalties for Passing School Bus Have Increased
by AMP Staffby AMP StaffBack to school in Arkansas means that more than 6,000 buses will transport 350,000 students to and from school. It also means that motorists need to remember that it is against the law to pass a stopped school bus that…
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View from the Senate: Stronger Literacy Standards in Arkansas
by AMP Staffby AMP StaffReading helps children avoid the “summer slide,” when lazy days can make them forget what they’ve learned over the previous year. Researchers say that if they read just eight books over the summer, children are more likely to maintain their…
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View from the Senate: Truth in Food Labeling Law Takes Effect
by AMP Staffby AMP StaffA new law requiring stricter labeling of food products has placed Arkansas in the middle of an international dispute over truth in labeling. Legislators approved Act 501 of 2019 to require truth in labeling of food products, and to prohibit…