Local Events
Wed., Jan. 31 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Building a Bright Future training sessions from the Young Democrats of NWA at the Bentonville Public Library. This first session will have a panel of former candidates and elected Democrats discuss their experience running in Arkansas and what it meant to have strong teams supporting them during their campaign. Moderated by the 2022 Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor, Kelly Krout, panelists will include YDAR President Allison Grigsby Sweatman, Representative Denise Garner, former Representative Dr. Megan Godfrey, and former Springdale city council candidate Alice Gachuzo! Sign up HERE to let the Young Dems know that you are interested in attending at least this session.
Fri., Feb. 2nd at noon - Why Arkansas Black History Matters - Arkansas Public Policy Panel Zoom & Facebook live; Racial Equity Coordinator Osyrus Bolly will discuss the importance of local Black history with Dr. Airic Hughes. Dr. Hughes is an entrepreneur, artist, philanthropist, and faculty member in the Department of History at the University of Arkansas.
Sun., Feb. 11th at 11 a.m. - Annual Galentine’s Brunch Celebration and Fundraiser for Emerge Arkansas in Fayetteville - Brunch with purpose, celebrating and supporting GalPower at one of Emerge Arkansas's most talked-about events of the year - the annual Galentine's Brunch fundraiser! This event is for the ladies - celebrating women friendships, women in leadership, and, yes, there will be waffles! All proceeds help us recruit and train more Democratic women to run for office in Arkansas. Reserve your ticket HERE.
Sun., Feb 18th from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. - Annual Northwest Arkansas Soup Sunday benefiting the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families organization at the Rogers Convention Center. This family-friendly event with delicious soups, live music, and an auction is not to be missed! Get your tickets HERE.
Community Involvement Opportunities
Northwest Arkansas Growth Poll
The Northwest Arkansas Council is leading an effort to develop a community-led regional growth strategy. To help inform the strategy, the Council seeks public input to help define the region’s future priorities. Residents in both Benton and Washington Counties are encouraged to participate.
Arkansas Abortion Amendment
The Arkansas Abortion Amendment was officially certified by the Attorney General last week. This is a significant step towards restoring access to reproductive healthcare in Arkansas.
What's next? Signature collection. We must collect 90,704 signatures of registered AR voters in order to place the language on the ballot.
How to Help:
Donate Generously: Your financial support will play a pivotal role in amplifying the message and reaching every corner of Arkansas. Every dollar brings us closer to securing reproductive freedom for all.
Pledge to Sign the Petition: Pledge to sign the Arkansas Abortion Amendment petition to get this on the 2024 ballot.
Volunteer Your Time: Join the dedicated team at Arkansans for Limited Government and be a part of the change. Whether it's collecting signatures, spreading awareness, organizing events, or assisting with outreach, your time is a valuable contribution.
Follow Arkansans for Limited Government on Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter) AND share their content!
The Arkansas Abortion Amendment will ensure unrestricted access to abortion until 18 weeks of pregnancy with exceptions thereafter for rape, incest, fatal fetal anomalies, health of the mother and life of the mother. This language was carefully crafted to be a pragmatic and realistic approach to restoring meaningful access to safe reproductive healthcare. The amendment would cover over 99% of reported abortions in AR in the four years preceding the Dobbs ruling.
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Monday, Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd) - Work Session
Items of Note:
The second Public Info session about the March 5th Millage Increase for Police Pensions will be held on Tues. Feb 6th at 3 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills)
Bella Vista Parents: Do you have a child between the ages of 10 and 18 who loves the outdoors and wants to gain a little experience with civics, active transportation, bike infrastructure, trails, etc.? There are 2 youth positions available on the city's brand new Active Transportation Advisory Board and the deadline to apply is Feb. 5. Learn more HERE.
New ordinance tied to the Mayor’s Monarch (butterfly) Pledge, went into effect yesterday - allowing for some changes in vegetation rules in yards. Read more HERE.
Bentonville
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)
Items of Note:
The city is asking residents (and those who commute in the city) to participate in the Plan Bentonville survey. Learn more and complete the survey HERE.
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. (134 N. Main St.) - Work Session
Items of Note:
There is a vacancy on the city council for Ward 1 Position 1. If you are a registered voter in this ward and are interested in applying to be a City Council member, submit your resume or information to [email protected] or drop it by City Hall at 134 North Main Street, by Feb. 9th at 2:00 p.m.. Those who provide submissions will be able to introduce themselves at the February 13th City Council work session, in the American Legion Building (168 Glenwood) at 6:30 p.m.. The City Council will make the appointment at the February 27th council meeting, in the same location. — CEJ: Please let me know if anyone knows any one in Cave Springs who would be a good representative.
Centerton
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)
Items of Note:
Community Information meetings will be held by the city to discuss the new proposed Centerton Community Project, and also discuss extending the city’s current bonds, with no increase in sales tax to cover the expense of the project. These meetings will be held at the Centerton Municipal Complex (210 Municipal Drive) at 6 p.m. on Jan. 30, Feb. 5, Feb. 15, and Feb. 21, also can be viewed on Zoom at the following LINK. There will also be a presentation at the Coffee with the Mayor event on Saturday February 17th at 9 a.m. (290 North Main Street).
Gentry
Next Council Mtng: Monday, Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m. (104 E. Main St.)
Items of Note:
The council also declared a vacancy for its Ward 3, Seat 2 to be filled at the council's next regular meeting on Feb. 5. The vacancy is the result of the current council member’s plan to move out of Ward 3. Anyone interested in being considered for appointment to the seat is asked to contact City Hall at (479) 736-2555. — CEJ: Please let me know if anyone knows any one in Gentry who would be a good representative.
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE)
Lowell
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)
Pea Ridge
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 5:30 p.m. (911 Weston St.) - Committee of the Whole
Items of Note:
Planning Commission meeting on Feb. 6th at 6 p.m. will include special guests Duke McClarty (Groundworks NWA) to discuss workforce housing and Megan Brown (Urban Land Institute) to discuss ULI TAP grant process. Review the agenda HERE.
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)
Items of Note:
Last week the council approved selling land to Groundwork Northwest Arkansas for use in building 3D-printed concrete housing for community members whose annual income does not exceed 80% of the area median income.
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Items of Note:
A Pre-Agenda Meeting will take place in City Hall on Wednesday, January 31 at 3 p.m. This meeting offers the City Board of Directors and staff the chance to discuss the upcoming agenda for the Regular Board Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 6 at 6:30 p.m. Review the February 6 agenda HERE.
The Siloam Springs Public Library is reaching out to the community for valuable input through a comprehensive survey aimed at shaping the future of library services. This initiative encourages active participation from residents to influence planning efforts concerning collections, activities, and overall library offerings. Take the survey HERE.
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)
Items of Note:
Council approved a resolution last week to jointly administer a $576k grant from the federal Department of Transportation for the Northwest Arkansas Rail Corridor Safety Study. The study will focus on eight railroad crossings spanning a 14-mile rail corridor across two cities in Washington and Benton counties. The corridor study will identify individual solutions to the unique combinations of challenges and safety hazards at each crossing. These railroad crossings have hazard ratings that incorporate average daily traffic, trains per day, number of train tracks and number of crashes within the last 15 years.
County Government Awareness
Benton County Quorum Court
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is accepting applicants who need help with their energy bills. For Benton County residents, you can apply for assistance through the Our Healthy Communities webpage. Applications for assistance will be accepted until April 22nd.
Visit the OHC website to learn more and apply HERE.
Upcoming Benton County Meetings:
Planning Board Meeting - Feb. 7th at 6 p.m. (Admin Bldg)
Election Commission Meeting - Feb. 9th at 1 p.m. (1428 W Walnut)
Finance Committee Meeting - Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. (Admin Bldg)
Committee of the Whole - Feb. 20th at 6 p.m. (Admin Bldg)
Planning Board Meeting - Feb. 21st at 6 p.m. (Admin Bldg)
State Government Awareness
94th General Legislative Assembly:
from Greg Leding’s ARLEG Update newsletter on Jan. 29th:
At last Tuesday’s Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) subcommittee meeting, members considered and approved a request from Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’s office to move a $104,000 appropriation to her office’s extra help appropriation in order to cover the first six months’ salary for Mr. Joe Profiri, the governor’s new senior advisor. The governor hired Mr. Profiri earlier this month after the Arkansas Board of Corrections voted 5-2 to terminate his position as secretary of corrections.
As corrections secretary, Mr. Profiri’s salary was $210,000.13. As senior advisor to Governor Sanders, his salary is now $201,699.89—about $10,000 less than he made running the corrections department. The salary makes him by far the highest-paid member of our governor’s office: Gretchen Conger, our governor’s chief of staff, makes $160,000 a year. (The governor’s salary, set by an independent commission, is $165,000 a year.)
Senator Leding is one of two Democrats on the 20-member PEER subcommittee, and he was the only one there last Tuesday. He asked if anyone could give lawmakers a description of Mr. Profiri’s new duties, since it would seem running a state agency and serving as a senior advisor are two very different things. Staff from the Department of Finance and Administration answered the question to the best of their ability but were unable to add much beyond the fact that Mr. Profiri has extensive experience in corrections.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' political action committee, TEAM SHS PAC, raised $272,450 in contributions during the last quarter of 2023. The fund contributed $36,300 to legislative candidates during the quarter.
Election Information
Primary Election Information
Feb. 5th - Last day to register to vote as a new voter in Arkansas - need to check your status, go HERE
Feb. 20 - 24, Feb. 26 - Mar. 2, and Mar. 4th - Early voting days - times locations can be found HERE
Mar. 1st - Last day to update existing Arkansas voter registration address with the County (COB)
Mar. 5th - Election Day from 7:30 - 7:30 - locations can be found HERE
Political Training Opportunities
University of Texas at Austin - LBJ Women’s Campaign School
The application deadline for the 2024 cohort has been extended to Feb. 19th. The campaign school offers in-person and online training and networking, six months of training and mentorship with top political operatives and elected officials, exclusive fundraising workshops, and the chance to be a part of our 246-strong community of changemakers. Applications are free and require 1) a letter of recommendation submitted via online form, 2) Three short essays, and 3) a current CV/resume.
Odds & Ends
Read Antoinette Grajeda from the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas lawmaker considers legislation to restore remote learning flexibility” -Some schools say LEARNS Act eliminated so-called AMI days
In a surprise to no one… read Jeff Della Rosa’s report in the NWA Business Journal, “Benton County wealth increases most in Arkansas”
Read Luciana Peker in the Guardian, “Women’s rights are disappearing in Argentina. Don’t be complacent – yours could be next to go”
For the data nerds… G. Elliott Morris from 538 explains, “A revised method for measuring pollster quality, now published at 538 - A few tips for reading 538's updated pollster ratings, and why I think they're so cool”