Today was a good day at the State Capitol for kids and families.

The Senate Revenue and Tax Committee rejected HB1002, the capital gains tax cut, that would have robbed the state of critical revenue for schools and health care to put more money in the hands of a few wealthy Arkansans.

In other good news, we’re closer to cutting the red tape in ARKids First thanks to a unanimous vote by the Senate Wednesday afternoon on SB65, sponsored by Sen. Jimmy Jeffress.  The bill, which would streamline enrollment and renewal procedures for ARKids First, now heads to the House Public Health committee.

Finally, an important child welfare bill also passed out of the House Committe on Aging, Children and Youth today.  SB710 by Sen. David Johnson aligns state and federal laws to provide for paid guardianships that will provide family members with the financial means to become legal guardians, keeping children with relatives such as grandparents and aunts and uncles and out of the foster care system.

We are hopeful the good news will continue.  Stay tuned…