In this episode of For AR People, we are thrilled to host legal expert Dr. Bailey Fairbanks, Assistant Professor at the University of Central Arkansas in the Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies. Dr. Fairbanks brings her extensive research in Public Law and American Politics to the table, discussing the pivotal role o…

It's PRIDE month, y'all! Except that in Arkansas, y'all doesn't always mean everyone. Recently it was reported that Arkansas is the worst state to live in if you are LGBTQ, which is not surprising for queer people in the Natural State. Joining the pod to discuss this terrible reality is State Representative Tippi McCullough, the state's first openl…

Fiscal session is over (sorta) and we hit the high points. We'll also tell you about a weird new law requiring public schools to teach 6-12 graders about adoption. It's a bizarre as it sounds. Plus, Caleb, our social media wizard, joins the pod today. Join us!Oleh For AR People

Fiscal session week 2 recap is here. Mostly we talk lectern audit with a dash of crypto. Plus: crisis pregnancy centers, the Arkansas Abortion Amendment (SIGN IT ASAP), and taxpayers footing a very expensive bill for the Governor’s security. Taylor Swift and Willie Carlisle also get special mentions. All of this in exactly 28 minutes and zero secon…

We're back! This series is all about fiscal session but we promise to include regular Arkansas political drama, too. From cognitive dissonance to rank dishonesty, we explore the nuances of fiscal policy-making and its impact on Arkansas communities. Join us as we navigate the tangled web of legislative decisions, from education funding to the wild …

As states clean up their Medicaid rolls post COVID-19, Arkansas is doing it in half the time. One major consequence is that over a hundred thousand residents have lost their health insurance. The majority of removals are for procedural reasons — think missing paperwork and incorrect mailing addresses. Today we're sharing one woman's experience with…

The first thing Secretary Jacob Oliva did before Marvell-Elaine School District entered a contract with the Friendship Education Foundation? Fire everyone. The Governor and education Secretary Oliva are engaged in state-sponsored scare tactics in Marvell-Elaine, hoping plaintiffs will drop case against the LEARNS Act. Hannah and Gennie break down t…

If you don't have kids, aren't in public school, or find budgets boring, why would a school board election even matter? We're here to tell you exactly why — and the great news is there are elections just around the corner on Tuesday, May 9th. Join us!Oleh For AR People

In our part I overview of the 94th General Assembly, we told you about the supermajority's obsession with performative political games. In part II, Gennie and Hannah discuss the good policies Arleg left on the table, what they intentionally killed, and what they could have accomplished if they were motivated by helping, not hurting, Arkansans. Join…

Does requiring 100% time served for certain crimes keep us safe? For ten years Crossett native Richard Walton was a corrections officer at Cummins, a state prison that is part of the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Rich graciously took time to chat with us about his experience. Our talk covers what Arkansans should know about life inside state …

As we comb through the last 13 weeks, this is what materialized: the new governor and 2023 General Assembly squandered their chance to help regular Arkansans. By focusing on performative, extremist policy that doesn't actually solve problems, and by intentionally killing good bills that would have helped Arkansans, the supermajority chose scoring p…

After almost 3 months of legislative proceedings, the 94th General Assembly is nearing its end. It appears as though everyone is running on empty these days — lawmakers, staffers, and those of us covering the legislative action.Oleh For AR People

When lawmakers focus on "owning the libs" or rather, punishing the so-called radical left, their policy quickly deteriorates. After ten full weeks, it's time they focus on helping, not hurting Arkansans.Oleh For AR People

It wasn't our favorite week in the Arkansas Legislature. We're kind of tired — mostly from the lack of principles, the punching down, and the attacks on Arkansans simply trying to live their lives. But even when things feel really bad, there's always a bit of hope to be found.Oleh For AR People

We have a special guest join us to discuss the impact of the LEARNS Act -- Hannah's former teacher, Justin.Oleh For AR People

Join Gennie and Hannah for the Arleg week 8 legislative roundup where we discuss the governor's attempt to strong arm perceived political foes, educators outshining the LEARNS Act, weird stuff the Senate said, and more!Oleh For AR People