The House of Representatives voted today to repeal the Affordable Care Act of 2010 - despite the law being approved by a majority of both Houses of Congress and signed into law by the President in 2010.  While the Senate has promised to end this bit of political theater and defeat repeal, this does offer a chance again to point out the immense good done by the Affordable Care Act.  Today the House voted to deny you of these groundbreaking policy changes.

As is the ritual in Washington every two years, this month Congress began a new legislative session with Republican John Boehner (R-OH) holding the Speaker's gavel. In remarks opening the 112th Session, Speaker Boehner recognized the enormous challenges of our times, including the staggering national unemployment rate and mounting federal budget deficit. Boehner also acknowledged that health care costs are continuing to rise for families and small businesses. Boehner told the new class of lawmakers, "Hard work and tough decisions will be required of the 112th Congress. No longer can we fall short."

Proposals to reduce corporate taxes in order to improve business prospects in Arkansas are misguided. According to the Forbes' Best States for Business: 2010 report Arkansas already ranks 14^th in the nation in terms of low business cost and low taxes. However, we are ranked 44^th in labor supply and quality of life because of education, health, and poverty rates.  These factors have a much bigger impact of economic development and our prospects for a shared prosperity in the future. Arkansas needs a revenue system that allows us to invest in our people if we want our economy to thrive in the 21^st century global economy.

Arkansas misses out on bonus funds for ARKids First: Time to cut the red tape!

It has been an eventful few weeks at the United States Capitol. Congress has finally agreed on some of the most important issues facing the nation, and it has been a mixed bag for low-income families. Unemployment insurance was extended along with the refundable child tax credit. But we still have serious concerns about the growing national debt, and the promise of full citizenship for millions of children remains unfulfilled. Below is a wrap-up of these pieces of legislation as Congress adjourns this week.

Lame Duck Session Needs Your Attention

While most folks have shifted their attention to holiday planning and spending time with family, Congress is back at work in a Lame Duck Session.  Members have returned to address key issues they didn't act on before the November elections.  It is very important that we pay attention to what is happening in Washington, as much of the legislation under consideration will have a direct impact on Arkansas families.

It's easy to get caught up in all the to-do's that lead up to Thanksgiving. Thaw out the turkey? Got enough cranberry sauce? Iron the linen tablecloth?

Roby Brock of Talk Business interviews incoming Joint Budget Co-Chair Rep. Kathy Webb about tax issues that the committee may take up during the session. Among other items, she'd like to examine tax incentives.

If there's room for tax relief in the state budget next year, it should go directly into the hands of working families who'll spend it locally on the housing, food and transportation that helps them keep our economy working.