Senator: State law on Israel is illegal
WASHINGTON -- Laws that prohibit state contractors from boycotting Israel are attacks on the First Amendment, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said during a speech on the Senate floor Tuesday.
He highlighted a few such laws, including an Arkansas law, which requires "written certification that the person or company [entering a contract with the state] is not currently engaged in, and agrees for the duration of the contract not to engage in, a boycott of Israel."
"These laws are blatantly unconstitutional," Van Hollen said.
During the speech, Van Hollen noted that courts in Kansas and Arizona had struck down anti-boycott laws in those states.
The Arkansas Times had challenged the Arkansas law, Act 710 of 2017. But Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Miller ruled last month that the type of boycott envisioned by the Arkansas law is "neither speech nor inherently expressive conduct."
Miller's ruling "is destined for the dustbin in history," Van Hollen said, adding, "There's no doubt that the Arkansas decision will be overturned."
Lawmakers visited by schools group
Members of the Arkansas School Boards Association went to Washington last week to attend the 2019 Advocacy Institute organized by the National School Boards Association.
The delegation included association president-elect Randy Goodnight of Greenbrier; vice president Rosa Bowman of Ashdown; Desmond Hammett of Blytheville; and Jeannie Cole of Fort Smith.
At the national gathering, "they go over federal priorities," said association executive director Tony Prothro, who also attended.
Certain issues come up year after year.
"Of course, it's always about funding and making sure we receive enough money to ensure that we can carry out the federal mandates with our programming in our schools, things like special education, making sure it's fully funded," he said.
After two days with fellow school board members from around the country, they traveled Tuesday to Capitol Hill.
Initially, that was supposed to be the day of the State of the Union address. Because of the postponement, schedules were in flux, but it all worked out, he said.
The trip was definitely worthwhile, he said.
"It really puts us face to face with our legislators," he said. "We met with all the representatives and all the senators -- all six."
They saw one of them -- U.S. Rep. Steve Womack -- twice. The Republican from Rogers was one of the speakers at their conference, discussing federal budget issues.
Womack seeking summer interns
U.S. Rep. Steve Womack is offering internships this summer, on Capitol Hill as well as in Arkansas.
College students and recent graduates are invited to apply. Applications are due by March 8.
Womack, a Republican from Rogers, has represented Northwest Arkansas since 2011. He has offices in Fort Smith, Harrison and Rogers.
Interns are able to "learn the inner workings of the United States Congress and issues affecting Arkansans," Womack's office said in a news release. Those selected "will work closely with Congressman Womack's staff and constituents."
The positions are unpaid.
While political science majors often apply for the posts, students with an interest in business or social work are also encouraged to apply.
Some of the internships run from May 20-June 28. The others go from July 1-Aug. 9.
Application materials and additional details are available at: http://womack.house.gov/constituentservices/internships.htm.
More information can also be obtained by calling (202) 225-4301.
Planning to visit the nation's capital? Know something happening in Washington, D.C.? Please contact Frank Lockwood at (202) 662-7690 or flockwood@arkansasonline.com. Want the latest from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Washington bureau? It's available on Twitter, @LockwoodFrank.
SundayMonday on 02/03/2019