Local lawmakers came together on Friday morning for the Saline County Legislative Breakfast. They discussed important bills and plans for the current session.
This free event took place at CenterPoint Church in Benton, sponsored by Farm Bureau Arkansas and the Saline County Economic Development Corporation.
Key topics included maternal healthcare and education.
Rep. Mary Bentley expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming term. “I’m running 90 to nothing and really excited about this session,” she said. Bentley shared her efforts to support obstetricians and maternal healthcare providers by advocating for tort reform and cheaper liability insurance. The goal is to lessen costs for medical professionals, encouraging them to stay in their roles and offer more options for patients.
“We’re starting to turn the Titanic a little bit,” she noted, highlighting the challenge ahead.
During the Q&A session, when asked about their hopes for the session, Bentley pointed to a heightened focus on anti-abortion legislation. She firmly stated, “Our law is very clear: take care of women.” She expressed her frustration over the misinformation online, clarifying that being pro-life does not mean being anti-women.
Rep. Tony Furman aims to assist parents by drafting a bill to reduce childcare costs and improve quality.
Several legislators shared their efforts regarding education. Senator R.J. Hawke has filed two bills, including one that would lift the cap on raffle earnings for college sports teams. He also wants schools to keep track of expelled students to inform new institutions about potential issues. Additionally, he mentioned Governor Sarah Sanders’ initiative for free school breakfasts, hoping it will expand to free lunches.
Rep. Keith Brooks supports public school funding and is focused on helping children facing parental challenges. “Arkansas has really stepped up to lead when it comes to the foster care and adoption crisis,” he remarked.
As the discussion wrapped up, a resident raised a concern about the proposed state prison in Franklin County, which has stirred local debate. Hammer and Hawke both addressed this. Hawke stressed the importance of a new prison due to overcrowding in county jails. Hammer was straightforward, stating, “The prison is going to get built. The only question is, will it be done in phases?” He also mentioned upcoming legislation aimed at reducing overcrowding at the Arkansas State Hospital.
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education, health, social issues, politics, prison, tort reform, health care, child care, social policy
