Arkansas Legislature

Former Arkansas senator pleads guilty to tax fraud, bribery charges Former Arkansas Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson pleaded guilty to accepting bribes and falsifying tax records, affirming during a Tuesday court hearing that he received thousands of dollars from lobbyists seeking to influence state policy. by Youssef Rddad

Professional licensing due a state review The Legislature decided this year the time had come to review how the state licenses professions, and this decision was made in the aftermath of a national report critical of how occupational licensing is done in Arkansas. by Michael R. Wickline

Grant program short on takers State lawmakers hope that boosting the money available to the Department of Higher Education to market the 2-year-old Arkansas Future Grant program will lead to more students applying and receiving its financial help. by Michael R. Wickline

New laws targeting a variety of crimes Faced with a mounting opioid-addiction crisis, a spate of violence in state prisons, a public corruption case and other concerns about crime, Arkansas lawmakers responded during this year's legislative session with a host of new laws toughening sentences and adding new criminal offenses. by John Moritz

LIVE FEED: Arkansas legislators + Democrat-Gazette reporters on Twitter Follow along to see the latest posts from Arkansas' representatives and senators, plus updates from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Capitol bureau.

After court ruled against Trump for banning Twitter critics, Arkansas officials' online blocks face scrutiny Last week's ruling by a federal appeals court against President Donald Trump over his penchant for banning online critics raises points similar to those found i... by John Moritz - July 15, 2019

2 state panels vote to review vendor’s Medicaid-care assessments contract A pair of legislative committees on Tuesday voted to conduct a special review next month of the state's contract with a vendor hired to perform assessments used... by Andy Davis - July 10, 2019

Former Arkansas senator's guilt saddens state leaders State officials and lawmakers said Tuesday that they are sad and disappointed over former Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson's admission to committing federal crimes. "Jere... by John Moritz, Michael R. Wickline - June 26, 2019

Plea-change hearings set for former Arkansas senator For nine months, former state Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson has pleaded innocent to political corruption charges in federal courtrooms in two states. by Eric Besson - June 25, 2019

Arkansas lawmakers back 2nd look at claim against state retiree pension system A legislative subcommittee on Monday decided it wants the state Claims Commission to consider the merits of a $1.5 million claim filed by an investment fund man... by Michael R. Wickline - June 18, 2019

Group seeks referendum on Arkansas optometrist law LITTLE ROCK — A group has submitted a proposed referendum aimed at overturning a new Arkansas law allowing optometrists to perform a broader range of eye surger... by The Associated Press - June 11, 2019

Lobbyists spent $710,000 to woo state legislators A lobbyist for the Arkansas Ophthalmological Society spent more than $111,000 in the group's unsuccessful quest to defeat a new law that will allow optometrists... by Michael R. Wickline - May 26, 2019

Speaker to seek post in Arkansas House again House Speaker Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado, said on Friday that he's seeking re-election to a second full term in that leadership post. by Michael R. Wickline - May 18, 2019

Panel approves cut in insurance-premium fee A legislative panel on Thursday approved a reduction in the fee charged to insurance companies that offer subsidized health coverage in Arkansas under the 2010 ... by Andy Davis - May 17, 2019

Top Democrat in Arkansas House to step down House Minority Leader Charles Blake, D- Little Rock, said Thursday morning that he is resigning his House seat in order to explore other career opportunities. ... by John Moritz - May 16, 2019

Arkansas lawmakers write in to correct record; letters to chambers explain how clumsy fingers, distractions led to vote errors Freshman Rep. Jay Richardson is the only state lawmaker to be recorded in this year's regular legislative session as casting his vote against a bill to grant ca... by Michael R. Wickline - May 12, 2019

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92nd General Assembly

92nd Arkansas General Assembly