Twelve Words to Define the 89th General Assembly

The first quarter of the 89^th General Assembly is over.

As of Friday morning lawmakers had filed 284 bills, divided almost evenly between the House and Senate. The lion's share of bills are appropriations for various state agencies. There's also a handful of resolutions and memorials.

Some of the biggest issues are already represented: gun rights, abortion, schools and education, and economic growth.

But issues like Governor Mike Beebe's grocery tax cut and the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery have yet to materialize.

Late Friday morning, Medicaid landed on the scene. House Public Health Chair John Burris filed a shell bill consisting of only 12 words. Many have said what lawmakers write to fill in the blanks will ultimately define the 89^th General Assembly.

Carlos Gordon, a husband and father, says Medicaid is on his mind.

"My biggest concern for lawmakers is health care, insurance for our children and families," Gordon said. "I support the governor in his stand on expanding it and accepting federal funding."