MyPulseNews.com Mena Arkansas News covering Polk County and the surrounding area 
October 5, 2018 LITTLE ROCK – Since 2015, when the legislature approved Act 187 to upgrade the computer capacity of public schools, Arkansas has moved to the head of the class in national rankings. The Arkansas Public School Computer Network can now provide Internet service at a rate of one megabit per second per user to 98 percent of the ...
October, 2018
- 10 October
Governor’s Plan to Transform Government
LITTLE ROCK – This week, I unveiled my plan to cut the number of cabinet-level agencies in state government from 42 to 15, a reduction of 64 percent. This initiative to make state government more efficient is one of the most important undertakings of my administration. I developed this plan with the leadership of my Chief Transformation Officer Amy Fecher and with ...
July, 2018
- 20 July
ARKANSAS SCHOOL SAFETY COMMISSION PRESENTS PRELIMINARY REPORT
According to the School Safety Commission’s preliminary report, better access to mental-health counseling for students must be a priority as Arkansas leaders look for ways to tighten security at public schools. Governor Asa Hutchinson created the Commission by executive order on March 1st, following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The commissioners evaluated safety ...
June, 2018
- 1 June
State Capitol Week In Review
Each year there are more babies born in Arkansas with illegal drugs in their systems. The state Division of Children and Family Services has been keeping records since the legislature enacted Garrett’s Law in 2005. It is named after a child who was born in 2004 with crystal methamphetamine in his body, and who lived only a few months. The ...
January, 2018
- 22 January
What Can Be Learned from the Logic of an Illogical Shutdown
by Congressman Bruce Westerman – September 30 is an important date in our nation’s capital. It’s the end of the fiscal year for the federal government and about 30% of Uncle Sam’s programs depend on new congressional discretionary appropriations each year to remain operational. The list includes Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Interior and other departments that are funded through 12 ...
September, 2017
- 21 September
It’s hard to see Hurricane Maria through all this smoke
Our forest fires are going to keep getting worse if we can’t reform the way we fight fires. By Ken Fisher and Bruce Westerman, Opinion contributors The following opinion piece, co-written by Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04), originally appeared in the September 20 issue of USA Today. Earlier this month, standing on a hill overlooking the Columbia River that runs between Oregon and ...
- 8 September
Preparing for the Unexpected
SUBMITTED BY U.S. SENATOR DR. JOHN BOOZMAN – The worst of Mother Nature brings out the best of the human spirit. We witnessed the bravery and heroism of first responders, emergency officials and volunteers who saved the lives of Texans trapped by Hurricane Harvey’s devastating flooding. Arkansans mobilized efforts to assist our neighbors in need. The Arkansas National Guard responded ...
- 8 September
‘Renewed Hope’ Report Shows Hope for Foster Care System
SUBMITTED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MADDOX – Often times, it takes years to see the full impact on legislation we pass. But then there are times, like this week, that we see how just a few changes in the law can make a difference in the lives of hundreds of children in a matter of weeks. The Arkansas Department of ...
- 8 September
State Studies Results of ACT Scores
SUBMITTED BY THE OFFICE OF SENATOR LARRY TEAGUE – LITTLE ROCK – The ACT is the most important standardized test for high school students in Arkansas, and every year parents and educators anticipate the releasing of test scores to see how our students are performing. In the past decade Arkansas students have shown steady improvement because more of them are ...
February, 2017
- 23 February
Senate Proposes Attorney Fee Limits
FROM STATE SENATOR LARRY TEAGUE – February 17, 2017 LITTLE ROCK – After a lengthy and impassioned debate, the Senate voted to refer to voters a proposed constitutional amendment that would limit attorneys’ fees in civil lawsuits and limit the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded. The measure is Senate Joint Resolution 8. The Senate vote is a ...
