A Better REGION 8

Stuff the Bus!

For generations American children have had the opportunity to improve their lot in life because of a free public education system. That remains true today. Regardless of family income level, every child has access to acquire knowledge with no financial outlay. Because of this, we can all tell our kids the same thing our parents told us, go to school, work hard, learn everything you can, and make something of yourself. Every child has that opportunity for a free education. However, if you haven’t gotten a child ready for school lately, you may not realize that the tools needed to acquire that education are far from free. Buying everything that’s needed on the school supply list can be a daunting task for any family, but for those less fortunate, it can be a roadblock to that free education. There are kids in every town, in every neighborhood across Region 8, that are in danger of slipping through the cracks. All they need is a helping hand. That’s why this Saturday KAIT, the United Way, Triple FM, and the Crowley’s Ridge Development Council are working together as we do every year to “Stuff the Bus” with your generous donation of school supplies at most area Wal-Marts. All donated school supplies will go to help underprivileged kids in 19 schools across Region 8. Folks, each and every child in Region 8 needs the same chance to learn. Let’s help make it happen this Saturday. It will make this a Better Region 8 for all of our kids.

The Legislature hits the Lottery!?!?!?

Did you ever stop to wonder what you might do if you won the lottery? I have to admit it. I have. The thought of boatloads of found money can be intoxicating. Maybe that’s why some of our state legislators appear to have impaired vision.  The State of Arkansas finished the fiscal year with a ninety-four million dollar surplus and just like a lot of lottery winners, leading members of our state house are falling all over themselves to figure out how to spend it. The House Republican leadership, predictably, says that kind of surplus warrants a tax reduction. Grocery Sales Tax, Used Car sales tax, Income Tax reduction.  Doesn’t matter. Take your pick. On the other side of the aisle, the democratic leadership says spend it. Restore state employees’ cost of living increases, or maybe make a onetime payment to Arkansas’ foster parents. Both are agreeable points of view. We’d all like to pay less in taxes. That’s a no brainer. And helping children stuck in the Foster Care system would surely make you feel good. Right? But folks, truly, neither of those options make sense at this time. Governor Beebe asserts and we agree that we need to hold on to that money. We need to leave the tax system alone and see if this  develops into a trend before we eliminate taxes. We need to work hard to reform Medicaid and utilize this money to shore us up there if necessary. We need our state legislature to remember, they have not won the lottery. This is our investment in our state, our future, and treating as such will make this A Better Region 8.