This is likely the last really placid week at the
Arkansas General Assembly. They did not meet on Monday in honor of Martin
Luther King Day and are not meeting today due to a lack of pressing issues. So
they really were in session for about two and a half days this
week.
They are approaching 300
bills filed so far, but most are standard appropriation bills that will be
considered in context of an overall budget. The only political heat generated
this week came from gun-related legislation as the national debate over
gun-control spilled into the General Assembly.
bills filed so far, but most are standard appropriation bills that will be
considered in context of an overall budget. The only political heat generated
this week came from gun-related legislation as the national debate over
gun-control spilled into the General Assembly.
The House State Agencies
Committee recommended passage of HR1003, which would encourage preservation of
Arkansans’ right to bear arms. This is what I call a “soap box” bill since it
cannot directly impact policy and is simply an opportunity to publicly take a
position on an issue. With one out of every two southerners being a gun owner
and more than 127,000 concealed carry permits in Arkansas, being pro-gun is
usually safe political ground in this state.
The General Assembly also
saw legislation (SB71) filed
to allow concealed carry permit holders to take their handguns into churches if
that church allows it. While, HB1035
would authorize staff or faculty at higher education institutions to carry a
concealed weapon on campus.
saw legislation (SB71) filed
to allow concealed carry permit holders to take their handguns into churches if
that church allows it. While, HB1035
would authorize staff or faculty at higher education institutions to carry a
concealed weapon on campus.
The Senate also dipped its
toe into the Medicaid expansion debate this week as the Public Health Committee
heard testimony from Arkansas Surgeon General Joe Thompson and University of
Arkansas Medical System Chancellor Dan Rahn. Both Drs. Thompson and Rahn
support expansion of Medicaid to Arkansans earning up to 138% of the federal
poverty level. Both were questioned about the possibility of partially
expanding the program to Arkansans earning up to 100% of the federal poverty
level. The federal government has not indicated a partial expansion is possible
at this time. Roby Brock with Talk Business reported on this story, which can
be found HERE.
toe into the Medicaid expansion debate this week as the Public Health Committee
heard testimony from Arkansas Surgeon General Joe Thompson and University of
Arkansas Medical System Chancellor Dan Rahn. Both Drs. Thompson and Rahn
support expansion of Medicaid to Arkansans earning up to 138% of the federal
poverty level. Both were questioned about the possibility of partially
expanding the program to Arkansans earning up to 100% of the federal poverty
level. The federal government has not indicated a partial expansion is possible
at this time. Roby Brock with Talk Business reported on this story, which can
be found HERE.
Without some sort of partial
expansion solution allowed by the federal government, Medicaid expansion could
hinge on developing a plan to fund the future state share that Arkansas must
assume beginning in 2017 and what happens if the federal government reduces
their current funding commitment. Leadership in the House have stated that once
the new Medicaid recepients are added to the system the possibility that the
state would throw them off if federal funding is reduced seems very unlikely.
So mitigating future budget risks will be an important component of the
expansion negotiation.
expansion solution allowed by the federal government, Medicaid expansion could
hinge on developing a plan to fund the future state share that Arkansas must
assume beginning in 2017 and what happens if the federal government reduces
their current funding commitment. Leadership in the House have stated that once
the new Medicaid recepients are added to the system the possibility that the
state would throw them off if federal funding is reduced seems very unlikely.
So mitigating future budget risks will be an important component of the
expansion negotiation.