With Arkansas lawmakers set to begin the fourth week of the 94th General Assembly's regular session, House committees this week will consider a bill that would prevent transgender people from using the restroom of their choice while at school and a measure that aims to restrict "drag performances" by classifying them as an adult-oriented business.
Monday will be the 22nd day of the regular session.
Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has been working behind the scenes with some lawmakers on two sweeping measures -- an education overhaul package and a criminal justice overhaul package -- with 40 newcomers in the 135-member Legislature.
Senate Democratic leader Greg Leding of Fayetteville said Thursday that it's unfortunate that one of the first bills passed by the Senate "targeted the LGBT community."
"I think the session has started off a little more slowly than usual, but I think a lot of people are holding off to wait and to see what the education omnibus bill looks like and what the criminal justice reform bill looks like," he said. "But I expect things are going to start picking up here pretty soon, at least that's my hope."
State Rep. Lane Jean, R-Magnolia, a co-chairman of the Joint Budget Committee, said Thursday that "We are hoping for the education plan [this week]."
Asked when details of the education overhaul package will be released, Sanders said Thursday "I think we have laid out quite a few of the priorities and now we are making sure that we get it right...
A short video circulating widely on social media claims that US Representative Ilhan Omar referred to World War II as “World War 11” while discussing the Alien Enemies Act. The clip has been share...