Legislative Update from Rep. Fonda Hawthorne

Our local organization received a much needed and valuable update from neighboring District 4 State Representative Fonda Hawthorne last night.  Rep. Hawthorne's freshman year in the Arkansas House has been particularly busy with a total of 2492 bills presented as of the close of the filing deadline.  Health Insurance Exchange, the Medicaid Expansion Plan, the Transportation Bill and Voter ID reform were among some of key issues Rep. Hawthorne highlighted for us last night.

We need your help and support focusing the attention of ALL of our State General Assembly members on these issues which  will have deep-reaching, long-term ramifications for EVERY Arkansas resident.  With the complexities involved in these key issues, expect bills to be introduced,  to go away, then be tweaked and resurface. Stay on top of our elected officials and voice your concerns and desires so that we may all have an input in these matters that will shape a broad spectrum of components in our state.  You can research the bills filed at the following link

Search Bills Filed

Of particular interest, is proposed Voter ID Reform which could severely impact the voting rights of our party members.  Be VOCAL in fighting for any reform which may infringe upon the constitutional rights of voters.  The ACLU has an article from 2012 when Voter ID Reform began to become a hot issue in various states which explains how many types of Voter ID reform could "disenfranchise millions of eligible voters without any legitimate justification"

ACLU article on Voter Suppression