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Fair ~ High: 81°F ~ Low: 60°F Thursday, May 23, 2013 |
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Education top priority in state
Posted Tuesday, May 7, at 3:45 PM As excitement builds toward graduation ceremonies this spring, it's a good time to look at Arkansas's progress in our efforts to improve higher education. With all the advances we've made in K-12 education, we're still situated toward the bottom of national rankings when it comes to obtaining bachelor's degrees. ...
End of the session After 100 days in session, we have reached the end of regular business for the 89th General Assembly of the Arkansas Legislature. We have a balanced budget in place for the next fiscal year, which begins this July. There were many contentious issues this session, but the most heavily debated issue resulted in a bipartisan solution that has the rest of America watching Arkansas...
Artistic Tourism Spring marks the start of a new tourism season for many travelers who come to Arkansas for our great outdoors. But recently, more and more visitors are drawn indoors to our state's arts venues, as well. Arkansas's cultural scene is also in its spring season, attracting people from across town and across the country...
Keeping children and families together Child-welfare programs in Arkansas are becoming more effective and efficient, thanks to a recent shift toward a family-centered approach. Traditionally, it has been thought that removing children from certain situations and placing them in safe homes was always the best policy for the safety of the child. ...
Arkansas 's option for health care This past week, we've seen even greater momentum for the Arkansas private-option plan that would provide health insurance to an additional 250,000 Arkansans. Using federal funds made available through Medicaid, Arkansas can help working families obtain better health-care access through the new insurance exchange. When that exchange comes online next year, access to care would come from private insurance policies issued by companies competing to provide them...
Stopping sexual violence While we set high goals for Arkansas, we also recognize that the achievement of these goals depends on the well-being of each of our citizens. Our nation's health-care system has been in the spotlight for the past few years. We are taking historic steps in Arkansas to improve the health care of all of our people, but there are certain obstacles that go beyond the treatments that can be provided at a doctor's office or hospital. ...
100 years of the Arkansas Department of Health This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Arkansas Department of Health. A century ago, awareness of disease control was reaching a new apex, both nationally and locally. With scientific advancements providing new information about diseases, our new department and others across the country began working to control sources of disease transmission. ...
Replanting Arkansas Trees Trees are one of Arkansas's most valuable, and visible, resources. Arkansas wouldn't be the Natural State without the vibrant hardwoods of the Boston Mountains, our magnificent pines and dogwoods, and our beautiful flowering magnolias. While we enjoy their beauty across the State, we derive far more than pleasant views from our trees. ...
Helping to feed more children For the past three years, fewer children in Arkansas have gone without food, thanks to the state's collaboration with national, state and local hunger organizations. Much of this success has come through programs based in our schools. In one such program, children take backpacks full of food home with them over the weekends. Making sure our children have proper nutrition has far-reaching implications for our education system and for Arkansas's future...
National suport for Arkansas innovation Arkansas received great news this week regarding our state's groundbreaking initiative to improve the quality of health care while reducing its costs. After two years of discussions with federal officials about our innovative ideas to revamp health care, Arkansas will receive a $42 million State Innovation Model grant from the U.S. ...
Honoring family farmers Even with today's sophisticated equipment, the life of a farmer is never easy. Despite technological advances, Arkansas's farm families must still contend with the unpredictable variables of weather, pests, crop yield and commodity prices. Many of those variables were adversely affected by last season's months of extreme drought. We saw that the inherent risks associated with farming require determination, perseverance and a wide range of skills...
Black History Month This February, the nation once again observes Black History Month. It is a time to honor and explore the culture and history of Black Americans and to recognize that our diversity is one of our great strengths. It is also an opportunity to remember that we must all work together in making sure that our laws, actions and words honor the rights of every human being...
A big week for economic development LITTLE ROCK -- This week, Arkansas landed the largest economic-development project in its history. Big River Steel plans to build a $1.1 billion steel mill near Osceola that will employ 525 people. The plant will make steel for auto-, oil-and-gas and electrical-energy industries. ...
The state of our state This week, the members of the 89th Arkansas General Assembly convened, bringing many new faces to the State Capitol. While leadership and membership are much different than past sessions, these coming months will still be filled with weighty challenges, solemn responsibilities and unique opportunities...
A new partner in improving health care For many years, Americans have been burdened by rising health-care costs that, unfortunately, haven't always resulted in improved care. Last year alone, the average insurance deductible for an individual rose by nearly nine percent. This has led to an increasingly unhealthy population and a fragmented system of care across the country. To curb this growth, Arkansas is changing the game with a new payment system aimed at lowering costs and improving the quality of care...
Donating Life The New Year prompts many of us to make resolutions to benefit both our own well-being and the communities we live in. There's one simple action we can resolve to take any time of the year: becoming an organ donor, and that action could someday save a life. Signing up to be an organ donor is one of the most generous things you can do -- a single donor can potentially save eight lives...
Caring for all Arkansas Children Generosity is part of Arkansas's culture. Regardless the form of loss or suffering, time and again, Arkansans come to the aid of others. This kindness of spirit shines brightest during the holiday season. It's heartwarming to recognize all that Arkansans do for disadvantaged children and families at this time of year...
Arkansas, an international destination I continually ask Arkansans to recognize and take pride in our achievements, as Arkansas continues to become increasingly well regarded outside of our borders. Across America, more and more people now identify Arkansas with fiscal responsibility after our conservative budgeting was touted by national media outlets during The Great Recession. ...
The fiscal cliff We are all anxiously watching Washington, D.C., to see if the Obama Administration and Congress will be able to work together and avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff." Significant spending cuts and tax increases are scheduled to kick in on Jan. 1 if the federal government can't produce a long-term plan to reduce our nation's deficit...
Called to teach For six years now as Governor, I have discussed the important tie between education and the economic well-being of our State. High-performing students will become tomorrow's highly skilled employees, and those skills will attract investment and build new business. Arkansas has made a lot of progress in preparing our young people for knowledge-based jobs, and now ranks fifth nationally in overall K-12 education...
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Hot topics Education top priority in state(0 ~ 3:45 PM, May 7)
End of the session
Artistic Tourism
Keeping children and families together
Arkansas 's option for health care
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