Lawmakers getting ready for 2025, new legislators taking office

Barnett, McGruder will represent Crittenden County in Little Rock

By Ralph Hardin

news@theeveningtimes.com

LITTLE ROCK — Lawmakers got their first look at the state’s budget blueprint last Thursday while the debate continues over the issue as officials get ready for the session in January.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders presented the budget to the Joint Budget Committee. In her statement to lawmakers, the governor said she was looking at education, maternal health, public safety and government efficiency as top issues for the session.

The governor’s budget proposal seeks $90 million in additional funding for the state’s Education Freedom Accounts, as well as $90 million in set aside funding to help build a reserve for the program; $13 million in new funding for Medicaid to help postpartum mothers as well as a proposal to revamp the state’s employee pay plan.

A bill, HB 1004, was filed Wednesday by Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R-Clarksville) to require Medicaid coverage for postpartum mothers for one year after giving birth.

On the employee pay plan, Sanders said the proposal will help the state’s employee pay system get closer to those in the “private and public sectors,” with support so far for the plan.

“While the vast majority of money for this plan’s $102 million commitment comes from existing funding streams, I am proposing $3.15 million in new funding for pay raises for our state’s dedicated frontline workers,” Sanders said in a letter to lawmakers.

Lawmakers Respond

During the hearing, several lawmakers asked DFA Secretary Jim Hudson about a variety of issues including several in Northeast Arkansas.

On education, Hudson told lawmakers that the state’s adequacy fund should have $260 million in it over the next two years and is expected to grow.

Rep. Jim Wooten (R-Beebe) asked Hudson about expected increased numbers in the state’s Education Savings Accounts program and a possible impact on the budget.

Wooten said he believes the budget could face a $400 million impact in the future due to the program.

However, Hudson countered that the money used to fund the program and the public school system funding come from two separate funding streams, saying no one is taking money away from public schools; and that the funds are more than adequate to handle both requests.

The proposal also includes $50 million in critical need support for the Arkansas Department of Corrections, including $9 million in funding for housing state prisoners in county jails.

Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (RParagould) said he supports the governor’s proposal.

“I fully support Governor Sanders’ budget priorities, especially her commitment to addressing maternal health and our long-overdue corrections funding needs. For too long, we have kicked the can down the road and relied on county jails to manage the crisis of overcrowding caused by the lack of state prison capacity. This has strained local communities, compromised public safety and delayed opportunities for rehabilitation programs,” Gazaway said.

“The Governor’s investment in corrections is not just about building prisons — it’s about protecting Arkansans, reducing recidivism and providing inmates with the resources they need to reform. It’s a necessary step forward for Arkansas.”

The governor also announced earlier this year plans for a 3,000-bed prison in Charleston to help alleviate the prison bed issue. The plan has received some negative response from area residents, who say they were not notified about it in advance.

However, supporters say the new prison will help the state and could have an economic impact in the region.

Rep. Jack Ladyman (R-Jonesboro) also asked about DHS funding, in particular, funding for the state’s human development centers. The centers help residents in a variety of ways. For instance, the center in Jonesboro, which opened in 1974, provides residential services for adults needing help with vocational, recreational and daily living skills, as well as occupational and speech therapy among other services.

“The Developmental Disability Services line item was the only line item in the DHS

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budget that did not have an increase for the next two years. I wanted to know how they were going to cover inflation and growth in Human Development Centers,” Ladyman said. “I was told growth was covered in another area. I then asked about funds for upgrading or replacing HDC facilities that were 50 years old or older and not functional. I was told there was no funds in the budget for that purpose. I talked with several legislators after the meeting and we plan to work on getting funding for the 10 years plan DHS has for upgrading the HDC facilities.”

New Legislators in Little Rock

Following the Nov. 5 General Election, there will be some new faces in the Arkansas General Assembly, including two new State Representatives representing Crittenden County.

Representing District 35, which includes Marion and surrounding communities will be State Rep. Jessie Mc-Gruder. McGruder will be in the seat currently held by State Rep. Milton Nicks who elected not to seek another term in the House.

And representing the people of District 63 will be State Rep. Lincoln Barnett. Barnett will be stepping into the seat being vacated by State Rep.

Deborah Ferguson, who also declined the opportunity to seek re-election. Barnett’s assumption of his new role in the Arkansas House will create the need to hold another election, as he currently serves as Mayor of Hughes.

Both state representativeselect will be officially seated when the General Assembly convenes in early 2025.

The session will start Jan. 13.

PMG Photo