LEARNS Act has been signed by Gov Sanders. A tragedy for most Arkansas children. What happens next? Below is a run-down by Sen. Greg Leding of where we are right now, and what we might do to have some impact on how the law is implemented.
Read Sen. Leding’s insights, and then answer the request from the new Commissioner of Education, Jacob Oliva, for public comment. This is an important opening to politely tell him what his and Gov Sanders’ voucher plans mean to us.
Jacob Oliva, Comissioner of Education
Phone: 501-682-4203
Email: Jacob.Oliva@ade.arkansas.gov
From Senator Greg Leding – greg@gregleding.com
LEARNS is now law
With final approval given to SB294 last Tuesday, all that was left was for Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to sign the LEARNS Act into law. She did so during a ceremony in the Capitol rotunda last Wednesday.
Next up for the controversial legislation: Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva’s gearing up to collect public feedback as part of the process to promulgate rules and regulations to put LEARNS into effect. (It’s also possible the law will face legal challenges.)
What you can do this week
Whatever your feelings about the LEARNS Act, now that it’s law, the state must put in place rules and regulations to enforce it. In a recent interview, Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva said he wants to hear from students, parents, teachers, business leaders, community leaders, and others to join in the process.
please contact:
Jacob Oliva, Commissioner of Education
Cabinet Secretary, Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Four Capitol Mall, Room 304-A
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-682-4203
Email: Jacob.Oliva@ade.arkansas.gov
Meanwhile, lawmakers are turning their attention to the remaining big-ticket items on their agenda: a criminal justice package, a tax cut, and the state budget. It’s a lot to get done in just three weeks: Lawmakers have this week and just two more weeks after next week’s spring break recess. Leadership is set to decide sometime this week if extending session beyond the current end-date of April 7 will be necessary.
In other news
- When the Senate Committee on Education met last Monday afternoon to concur in the House amendment to SB294, the LEARNS Act, a number of Little Rock Central High students tried to speak against the bill but were largely denied the opportunity. Limited to speaking just to the amendment by the committee chair, they were unable to fully express their concerns about the legislation.
- Last Tuesday, the House Committee on Judiciary voted to recommend SB199 for passage. The bill would make it harder for trans Arkansans to get the health care they need. The House gave final approval to the measure on Wednesday.
- HB1156, a bill targeting trans youth, returned to the Senate Education committee last week after having been amended. The committee recommended the bill for passage. The Senate is expected to vote on it later today.