Happy National Voter Registration Day Community Members!
I left the country for a vacation last week and missed all the excitement in the capital with the special session - but I’ll include recaps further in the newsletter. As a reminder, the filing period for next year’s partisan and spring school board elections starts on November 6th. We still have a lot of positions without a candidate and if the news is accurate, Arkansans aren’t thrilled with the special session antics from the governor and their current state legislators. Now is as good as time as any to reach out to me for more information about running for office!
Local Events
Tuesday, Sept. 19 starting at 5:30 p.m. - September Democratic Party of Benton County Social Hour at the Rogers Rendezvous Junction Brewing Co. (2225 S. Bellview Rd, Suite 101) - Just show up and enjoy - all are welcome!
Sunday, Sept. 24 from 1 - 5 p.m. - NWA Hispanic Heritage Festival at the Northwest Arkansas Mall Parking Lot (4201 Shiloh Dr., Fayetteville)
Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 9 a.m. - Onward Ozarks: USL Arkansas - Listen to the details of the men’s and women’s USL teams and the planned stadium in Rogers on this zoom moderated by Randy Wilburn, founder and host of the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast.
Thursday, Sept. 28 from 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Ready? Set. Run! one-day bootcamp to prepare YOU to run for public office hosted by NW Ark Emerging Leaders. FREE event will cover Campaign Communication, Fundraising, Social Media and Connecting to Voters. Register HERE.
Local Community Member Spotlight
Stephannie Lane Baker at the White House, Sept. 14th
Stephannie Lane Baker, Executive Director of Emerge Arkansas and Bentonville resident, was invited to attend the “Communities in Action: Building a Better America” event at the White House last Thursday as a representative of Emerge Arkansas. She attended alongside representatives of the Democratic Party of Arkansas, the Arkansas Federation of Democratic Women, the Young Democrats of Arkansas, the Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus, For AR People, Human Rights Campaign, ACLU of Arkansas, and many other Arkansas orgs.
Stephannie and other Democratic leaders from Arkansas carried stories of impact from folks in Arkansas communities and feedback around what the people in our state need. They heard from Steve Benjamin, Director of the Office of Public Engagement; Mitch Landrieu, Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator; Ali Zaidi, National Climate Advisor; Neera Tanden, Director of the Domestic Policy Council; and Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Education about the impacts of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda in Arkansas.
Read more from Alex Thomas at the NWA Dem Gazz, “White House hosts Arkansas political leaders for discussion on Biden agenda”.
Representatives from Arkansas at the White House Sept. 14th
Step Up and Lead Opportunities
Applications are open for LBJ Women’s Campaign School - Cohort 5!
The purpose of the LBJ Women's Campaign School is to increase the number of women in elected office and campaign senior staff positions — regardless of political affiliation — through a structured curriculum, high-impact mentorship, and alumnae support (including Arkansans Jenny Flanagan, Anna Beth Gorman, Sarah Luhtanen, Chelsea Miller, and myself).
Round 1 Application Deadline is Dec. 1, 2023. Successful applicants will have the following characteristics:
Civic-minded and committed to public service: Uses her voice and her time to lift up those around her, votes, volunteers, and has the capacity to lead toward meaningful change.
Significant, meaningful experience: has demonstrated success in her career or other aspects of her life, is ready to lead.
Can apply what she learns in the program: has clearly defined goals for running for office or staffing a campaign in the next one to three years (i.e., running or managing a 2024, 2025 or 2026 race).
Skilled communicator: Inspires those around her through her communication skills, authenticity, and vision.
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Monday, Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd)
Items of Note:
NWA Senior Expo at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church (1 S Bernard Ln, Bella Vista) from 9 - 1 p.m. - come for flu shots, give aways, and local community resource information
Get to Know Your Septic System at the Bella Vista District Court on Thursday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m.. Learn how to manage your septic system from local experts to protect you, your neighbors, and our water. This is a free program with the goal to stop potential failing septic tanks and to save homeowners money and headaches!
Bentonville
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)
Items of Note:
Fall Bentonville Connections will be Thursday, Sept. 28th at the Bentonville Community Center (1101 SW Citizens Circle) from 11:30 to 2:30 - Learn about city projects, find volunteer opportunities, meet elected leaders and city staff, celebrate 150 years of Bentonville!
Sept. Coffee with Mayor Orman set for Friday, Sept 29th in person at the Bentonville Police Department (908 SE 14th St); Coffee and light snacks will be served beginning at 7:30 a.m. and a short presentation will be given at 8:15 a.m. by Police Chief Ray Shastid and Mayor Stephanie Orman followed by questions and networking until 9
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. (134 N. Main St.)
Centerton
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)
Items of Note:
The City of Centerton is taking applications for a position(s) on the Centerton Advertising and Promotion Commission. Applicant must be an owner or manger of a business in the tourism industry or restaurant, which collect the hotel and restaurant tax. Regular meetings are held quarterly.
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE)
Lowell
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)
Items of Note:
September City Council meeting has been cancelled
Lowell Tree Giveaway on Oct. 7 from 8 until noon at Lowell Street Dept (209 N Lincoln St.) - 1 tree per household within Lowell city limits
Pea Ridge
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. (911 Weston St.)
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)
Items of Note:
The Mayor's Youth Academy is accepting applications until September 29th. This is a fantastic program for high school juniors and seniors to learn about local government, connect with other young leaders, and make a difference in Rogers. Get information and apply today at https://www.rogersar.gov/1256/Mayors-Youth-Academy.
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)
Items of Note:
Public Input Session #2 for the 2024 Budget will be held on Wednesday, September 20 at 5:00 p.m.. Full information can be found here: https://www.springdalear.gov/article/1217970
County Government Awareness
Benton County Quorum Court
On Monday, the Benton County Quorum Court approved a pay increase for poll workers. The increase from $11/hour to $14/hour will match Washington County’s same increase made earlier this year. Security workers and field techs will receive between $13 to $16 an hour. Read more from Doug Thompson and Tracy Neal at the NWA Dem Gazz HERE.
Bentonville School District
Attorney General Tim Griffin issued a four-page opinion responding affirmatively to Bentonville School District’s questions around donating land adjacent to Bentonville High School to a non-for-profit corporation to construct a community center and affordable housing (geared toward teachers). The project will need final approval by the School Board. The Excellerate Foundation will make a more detailed presentation of the proposed project to the Board at the Sept. 19th meeting.
State Government Awareness
94th General Legislative Assembly:
The Governor called a special session of the state legislature last week to address three items. The session lasted four days, and multiple bills were passed (but not without some controversy). Some highlights:
SB3 & HB1002: Act to prohibit the government from mandating a vaccination or immunization for COVID-19 or any subvariants
Hunter Field at Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas government entities barred from mandating COVID-19 vaccination”
Will Langhorne at NWA Dem Gazz, “Arkansas lawmakers advance legislation intended to reinstate a ban on covid-19 vaccine mandates for public entities”
SB8: Act to amend income tax rates applicable to individuals, trusts, estates, and corporations and to create a (one-time) income tax credit for certain taxpayers
Hunter Field at Arkansas Advocate, “Sanders, Arkansas Legislature enact income tax cuts on final day of special session”
Michael R. Wickline & Neal Earley at NWA Dem Gazz, “ Tax cuts, open records laws passed, Arkansas legislature adjourns special session”
Jessica Ranck at KARK, “Arkansas tax cut proposal met with opposition, people say money should be spent elsewhere”
SB10: Act to amend the Freedom of Information Act of 1967 to make certain security-related records exempt from disclosure
Tess Vrbin at Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas officials’ security records shielded from public under altered FOIA law”
Sonny Albarado commentary with Arkansas Advocate, “Secrecy added to Arkansas public records law serves only those with secrets”
Worth Sparkman at Axios NWA, “Legislators narrow FOI bill to governor’s security”
Senator Greg Letting’s AR Leg Update from this week HERE
Election Information
2024 Ballot Initiatives
The Arkansas Period Poverty Project submitted language earlier this month for a ballot initiative in 2024 to abolish Arkansas’ “tampon tax”. Read Hunter Field from Arkansas Advocate for details, “Ballot title submitted to exempt feminine hygiene products from Arkansas sales tax”.
Womack Running for 8th Term as Congressional District 3 Representative
Republican U.S. Representative Steve Womack, confirmed last week that he will run again in 2024 for his 8th term representing the third congressional district. No other candidates have registered to date with the FEC to run for the position. From the latest FEC report ending June 30th, Womack has over $2.1 million in cash on hand. Read more from Hunter Field at the Arkansas Advocate HERE.
2024 Candidate Filing Period Upcoming!
In less than 60 days, the partisan candidate filing period for the 2024 election will commence, starting noon on November 6 and running until noon on November 14. Make sure you're prepared!
Candidates can file for various partisan positions, including:
Congressional District 3
State Senate seats 33 & 34
State Representative seats 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18
JP districts 1-15
Constables 1-5
Filing Fees (Approved by the Democratic Party of Arkansas)
The State Committee of the Democratic Party of Arkansas (DPA) has set the following filing fees for partisan candidates:
Congress: $2,500
State Senate: $2,500 or 400 signatures from voters in the district (must be provided to the DPA by noon on Oct. 27, 2023)
State Representative: $1,000 or 150 signatures from voters in the district (must be provided to the DPA by noon on Oct. 27, 2023)
Justice of the Peace and Constable Filing Fee:
$50 per candidate for Justice of the Peace and Constable positions
Thinking of Running for Office or Know Someone Who Should?
For those interested in running for office or if you know someone who would make a great candidate, feel free to reach out to our Candidates and Elections Chair, Christine Erwin-Jimenez (me), at [email protected]. We are here to help and provide more information about the process of running for office.
Political Training Opportunities
National Democratic Training Committee - online, free trainings
How to Maximize Call Time and Raise More Money - Sept. 21 - noon
How to Put Your GOTV Plan into Action - Sept. 22 - noon
Progressive Change Campaign Committee
The Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) has launched a campaign to Save Our School Boards. They’ll provide hands-on support to YOU -- progressive school board candidates -- running throughout the United States during the 2023-2024 cycle. HERE>
After signing up, you will have access to school board-specific resources, training, coaching sessions, polling and messaging briefings, and more.
Odds & Ends
Read Ali Noland’s opinion piece in the Arkansas Times, “Outgoing Little Rock school board member: I don’t want destructive politics to be my legacy”
Median income in NW Arkansas has increased while the remainder of the state decreased between 2019 - 2022; increasing the economic disparity across the state. Read more from Axios NW Arkansas, HERE.
Read Worth Sparkman from Axios NWA, “Northwest Arkansas’ stunning - yet sometimes painful - reinvention”