Opinion

This week, the General Assembly convened for an Extraordinary Session, during which the legislature passed significant tax legislation. The new laws reduce the top individual income tax rate to 3.9%, the lowest since the tax was first enacted in the state in 1923.

The last six months of meetings and workshops of the Bull Shoals City Council have been confrontational for all attending. The residents have accused the members of the council of covering up issues, lying, or trying to manipulate the answers given to them.

I’ve learned through my family genealogy research that my 2nd great grandmother Lucinda Stinnett 1822-1893 is related to the Stinnett’s who settled around Yellville, Marion County, Arkansas, around 1830-1840. Lucinda’s father Abner Stinnett is the brother of David Stinnett Sr.

LITTLE ROCK – The deadline to register to vote in the November 5 general election falls on Monday, October 7. Keep in mind that county clerks may not accept voter registration forms signed digitally, unless they are submitted by certain state agencies.

– Arkansas teacher salaries went up 3.2 percent last year, to an average of $54,309. That ranked Arkansas 45th in the country.

Arkansas Farmers Market Week is just around the corner, running from June 9-15. With over 100 markets across the state, this is the perfect opportunity to explore the vibrant offerings of Arkansas agriculture.

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders orders all flags to be flown at Half-Staff to mourn the lives lost in the tornadoes during the early morning of May 26. The communities of Marion, Baxter, Benton and Boone Counties suffered significant damage to homes, businesses and property.

Four election laws passed by the legislature in 2021 will continue to be enforced, thanks to an Arkansas Supreme Court ruling that upholds their constitutionality. The four laws were immediately challenged after the 2021 regular session, during which the legislature enacted a long series of election integrity laws.

LITTLE ROCK – Limiting children’s access to social media is still a priority for Arkansas policy makers. Last week, the governor sent a letter to the governors of all 50 states, and to all Arkansas legislators, urging them to continue working for meaningful restrictions on children’s use of social media platforms.