Arkansas Legislature Begins New Session Today
By: Adam Rodriguez, KARK 4 News
Updated: January 14, 2013
Legislators from all across Arkansas are going to work at the State Capitol today.
The 89th General Assembly begins its work at noon.
After new members are sworn into office, the new Speaker of the House, Davy Carter, of Cabot, will announce who he's selected to chair the 10 House standing committees.
It's an historic day at the capitol as a Republican majority takes the helm for the first time in more than a century.
Both sides say they're ready to work together for the good of the people, but they're already divided on a major issue, Medicaid.
Governor Mike Beebe and House Speaker Carter seem to agree that Medicaid's 140-million-dollar shortfall is priority number one.
Lawmakers have made it clear they're not going to cut the funding that would force more than 10-thousand Arkansas seniors from nursing homes.
But Medicaid expansion is another issue.
Beebe's for the expansion, while Carter says the state might not be able to afford it, but insists they'll find a solution.
"We're going to work together. We're going to work together and make you proud," Carter says.
When the legislature convenes this afternoon, Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Hannah will swear in all the newly-elected lawmakers.
Governor Beebe will address the full legislature tomorrow.
The 89th General Assembly begins its work at noon.
After new members are sworn into office, the new Speaker of the House, Davy Carter, of Cabot, will announce who he's selected to chair the 10 House standing committees.
It's an historic day at the capitol as a Republican majority takes the helm for the first time in more than a century.
Both sides say they're ready to work together for the good of the people, but they're already divided on a major issue, Medicaid.
Governor Mike Beebe and House Speaker Carter seem to agree that Medicaid's 140-million-dollar shortfall is priority number one.
Lawmakers have made it clear they're not going to cut the funding that would force more than 10-thousand Arkansas seniors from nursing homes.
But Medicaid expansion is another issue.
Beebe's for the expansion, while Carter says the state might not be able to afford it, but insists they'll find a solution.
"We're going to work together. We're going to work together and make you proud," Carter says.
When the legislature convenes this afternoon, Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Hannah will swear in all the newly-elected lawmakers.
Governor Beebe will address the full legislature tomorrow.
