Hi Community Members!
BIG NEWS! Arkansans for Limited Government have filed a ballot title with the Arkansas Attorney General. The group aims to rollback our state’s near total ban on abortion by preventing the state and its lawmakers from doing anything to restrict access to abortion within 18 weeks of conception or in the cases of rape, incest, fatal fetal anomalies, or the health of the mother.
To get the Arkansas Reproductive Healthcare Amendment onto the 2024 General election ballot will require A LOT of work. You can learn more about the initiative at https://arliberty.org, pledge to sign the petition HERE, and sign up to volunteer HERE. Additionally, donations are welcome HERE. Read the Arkansas Times writeup by Austin Bailey on the ballot initiative HERE.
Local Events
Thursday, Nov. 30th at 7p.m. - Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition (AJRC) Holiday Card Making Event - in collaboration with the Washington County Jail, this event will create one-of-a-kind cards for each individual behind bars. The AJRC will provide the materials and snacks as you make the cards. Location: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (224 N East Ave, Fayetteville)
Saturday, Dec. 2nd from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Ozark Circle of Choice Abortion Support Training in Fayetteville. This training is a non-medical introduction to supporting the reproductive health needs of each other and our community. During this training, you will have a chance to learn about abortion access along with the important values of our community, including mutual aid and how we support one another while navigating this complex process. To register, email Ozark Circle of Trust to let them know you’re interested in the training and send you name and pronouns.
Sunday, Dec. 3rd from 6 - 8 p.m. - Benton and Washington County Democrats Cheers to Democrats Holiday Party at Black Apple in Springdale; Santa Claus is making a special appearance, and we've got candidates and volunteers ready to spread some joy. Grab your tickets now, and let's celebrate together! Tickets are $10 each, and light snacks will be provided. A cash bar will be available for guests over 21.
Community Involvement Opportunities
Groundwork is doing a community video project, and they need your help! Has it been difficult for you to find housing? Does the lack of housing affordability impact you? Do you have to live further away from your work due to housing costs? Then come share your story with them! The Groundwork team will be taking community videos on November 29th. Sign up HERE.
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Monday, December 11 at 5:30 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd) - Work Session
Items of Note:
Tree Advisory Board vacancy for term expiring May 1, 2024 (three year term if reappointed in May); Board is responsible for Arbor Day Celebration ,advising city leaders, and educating the public; apply by Dec. 20th HERE
Bentonville
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)
Items of Note:
Bentonville school board approved the proposal to donate land to build affordable housing for teachers and staff; read more from Worth Sparkman at Axios NW Arkansas, HERE
Earlier this month, Bentonville city council approved an increase in fire fighter starting pay from $13 to $15.05 per hour
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 6:30 p.m. (134 N. Main St.)
Centerton
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)
Items of Note:
The City council approved an increase in the cost of residential and commercial water rates to address water loss from leaks within the water system. The new rates (effective Jan. 1) will be $5.83 per 1,000 gallons for residential customers inside the city and $6.13 per 1,000 gallons for customers outside the city.
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE)
Items of Note:
All 3 ballot measures passed on the Nov. 14th election: Refunding Bonds, Street Improvement Bonds, and Sewer Improvement Bonds - about 4.5% of eligible voters participated
Lowell
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)
Pea Ridge
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 5:30 p.m. (911 Weston St.) - Committee of the Whole
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)
Items of Note:
Council approved granting each city employee a $300 holiday bonus (for the seventh consecutive year)
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Items of Note:
City Board of Directors will review plan to limit approval of short-term rental permits to 30 a year, grandfathering existing permits
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)
Items of Note:
City Council will vote to approve the 2024 budget at this week’s meeting; highlight of budget items can be found in this NWA Dem Gazz write up HERE
Mayor Doug Sprouse was elected to the National League of Cities (NLC) Board of Directors for a two year term; full press release HERE; only Arkansas representative
County Government Awareness
Benton County Quorum Court
Upcoming meetings:
Thursday, Nov. 30th at 6 p.m. - Quorum Court (different location! 2111 W Walnut, Rogers)
Wednesday, Dec. 6th at 6 p.m. - Planning Board Meeting
Thursday, Dec. 7th at 6 p.m. - Finance Committee Meeting
State Government Awareness
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
Board Appointments
Last week, Governor Sanders appointed former state senator Jason Rapert (yes, that one) to the Arkansas State Library Board. Rapert is founder and president of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers. Read more from Tess Vrbin at the Arkansas Advocate, HERE. At least two GOP state senators already plan to vote no for his appointment.
Fight with the Arkansas Board of Corrections
From Sonny ALbarado with the Arkansas Advocate (read full story HERE). The Arkansas Board of Corrections rejected a request to expand prison capacity this month because of severe staffing shortages and existing crowding, board Chairman Benny Magness says in a Nov. 20 letter to the governor and attorney general.
Magness’ 6 ½-page letter came in response to a Nov. 17 press conference at which Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Attorney General Tim Griffin criticized the corrections board for failing to approve a request to temporarily expand the prison system’s capacity by 622 beds.
Court News
8th Circuit Court of Appeals
Last week, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a 2022 lower court ruling in an Arkansas redistricting case that radically concluded that voters may not sue to protect their voting rights under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Read more:
Political Training Information
Applications for the Emerge Arkansas spring candidate boot camp are now OPEN! The 2024 boot camp will be held virtually April 5th – 10th, with an additional orientation evening ahead of time. Applications will be accepted now through February 16th.
If you're on the ballot in 2024 (or will be after you file for a nonpartisan race in July 2024) - or if you know someone who is - check out this incredible training opportunity, which is open to Democratic women and non-binary folks who are ready to run and win!
Odds & Ends
Arkansas Democratic Gazette has created a GUIDE for information/reporting about the LEARNS Act (some of the content is available to all, some behind a paywall)
Listen to the District 3 Podcast interview about LIFE at NWACC with Jaunita Olivares Franklin & Juana Araujo, HERE
Read Antoinette Grajeda at the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas United launches new federally-funded immigrant integration program”
Read this great profile on some locals doing great work in NWA from Antoinette Grajeda at the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas organizations aim to engage growing Hispanic electorate”