Latest news with #ArkansasAdvocatesforChildrenandFamilies
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Townhall of concerned Arkansans voice fears over Medicaid, SNAP cuts in Trump's proposed bill
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -In a packed town hall at the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library and Learning Center, central Arkansans gathered to voice their concerns about the effects of proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). The discussion centered on President Donald Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill,' currently under consideration in the U.S. Senate and its potential to impact those across the country with disabilities, the elderly and low-income families. Faith leaders protest 'big, beautiful bill' One of the most impassioned voices at the town hall was that of William Gerard, a SNAP beneficiary with cerebral palsy who also depends on Medicaid to survive. Unable to work due to his condition, Gerard shared his testimony about how these programs are 'literally life-saving' for him. 'If I didn't have Medicaid, I don't know how I would survive,' said Gerard, who is on a regimen of 10 to 12 medications, some of which cost thousands of dollars. 'Some of my seizure medications, for example, can be in the thousands. With Medicaid paying for it, I might have to pay $2, and that really helps me.' Gerard's story is a poignant reminder of how Medicaid and SNAP provide vital support for millions of Americans. Under the budget reconciliation bill that passed the House of Representatives, $600 billion in cuts to Medicaid could result in nearly 11 million Americans losing coverage over the next decade according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office analysis released Wednesday. For Gerard and approximately 190,000 other Arkansans, these cuts would have catastrophic consequences. Beyond the cuts to Medicaid, the proposed bill also includes steep reductions to SNAP benefits, totaling an estimated $230 billion over the next ten years. Gerard, who receives just $60 in food stamps each month, expressed the challenges this would create. 'I only get $60 in food stamps. So, what's $60 going to buy me?' he asked. 'We need to get Arkansans more food stamps that deserve it, instead of taking it away from us and making us decide what can I eat?' This concern was echoed by others at the meeting, who worried that the cuts to both Medicaid and SNAP would place an even greater burden on already struggling families, according to the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. The bill proposes several requirements, including the potential for states to take on more financial responsibility for these programs. The town hall participants discussed the wider implications of these cuts, particularly the snowball effect they would have on the lives of Arkansans. The potential loss of Medicaid coverage alone could leave thousands of individuals without access to necessary healthcare, while the SNAP cuts could push more people into food insecurity, according to the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. According to the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, more than 97,000 people in Arkansas Congressional District 2 could be impacted by the proposed $109 million cut to SNAP. These cuts could devastate families, particularly those with children, since nearly 45% of SNAP enrollees in Arkansas are parents who rely on the program to feed their families, according to . Another significant concern voiced at the town hall was the proposed work requirements that would accompany these cuts. Gerard, who receives both Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), expressed his fears for those who, like him, are unable to work due to their disabilities. 'What about the elderly, the disabled, the people who can't work? How are they supposed to make a living?' Gerard asked. 'I went to a school for handicapped children, and I've seen kids who could barely feed themselves, let alone work.' Big, beautiful bill heads to the Senate For many at the town hall, these proposed cuts aren't just about numbers in Washington—they represent the erosion of a safety net for vulnerable citizens who have no other means of support. The bill, if passed, could force these individuals into even more precarious situations, with few options for survival. 'I'm not fighting for just me,' Gerard said. 'I'm fighting for all Arkansans who are struggling to make ends meet, for all of us who depend on Medicaid and food stamps to survive.' The town hall concluded with a clear message: for concerned Arkansans to contact their congressional representatives and 'make their voices heard.' 'Stop and think about what you're doing to Arkansans—those on disability, the elderly, the most vulnerable,' Gerard said. 'If these cuts go through, it's not just about money, it's about survival.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Second Arkansas ballot measure rejected for failing to meet reading-level standard
Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families Executive Director Keesa Smith-Brantley discusses a proposed constitutional amendment submitted to the attorney general's office during a press conference at the state Capitol on May 19, 2025. (Sonny Albarado/Arkansas Advocate) Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin on Monday said he could not certify a proposed constitutional amendment related to direct democracy because it violates a new state law that prohibits ballot titles from being written above an eighth-grade reading level. Act 602, which became law in April, prohibits the attorney general from certifying a proposed ballot title with a reading level above eighth grade as determined by the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level formula. The test uses word complexity and sentence lengths to calculate what grade of education is needed to comprehend written material. 'The ballot title you have submitted ranks at grade 11.5. Thus, your ballot title requires significant revisions before it complies with the Act,' according to Monday's opinion, which was prepared by Assistant Attorney General Jodie Keener and approved by Griffin. Monday's opinion identified additional issues with the proposal, including ambiguity regarding the Arkansas General Assembly's authority and how conflicting measures become law. The Arkansas Ballot Measure Rights Amendment, sponsored by the Protect AR Rights coalition, would amend Article 5 Section 1 of the Arkansas Constitution, the section that governs the state's initiative and referendum process. It would designate as a 'fundamental right' the right of voters to propose laws and constitutional amendments that can be put to a statewide vote. Among its various provisions, the measure would require petition signatures be gathered from at least 15 counties instead of 50 and would explicitly prohibit the Arkansas General Assembly from amending or repealing a constitutional amendment approved by voters. This is the second ballot measure proposed this year in response to state lawmakers approving about a dozen direct democracy-related laws during the 2025 legislative session. Supporters of the new laws have said they will ensure the integrity of the initiative and referendum process, while opponents have argued it will make it more difficult for citizen-led initiatives to qualify for the ballot. The direct democracy process allows Arkansans to propose new laws or constitutional amendments and put them to a statewide vote. Arkansas is one of 24 states that allows citizen-led initiatives, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Protect AR Rights spokesperson Bill Kopsky said in a phone interview that Monday's decision was expected because the attorney general often rejects the first draft of a proposed ballot title. The ballot question committee intends to request a meeting with Griffin's staff to gather feedback, Kopsky said. In an emailed statement, Protect AR Rights noted this was 'the first step in a long process, and our coalition remains fully committed to protecting the rights of Arkansans to shape their own laws.' Griffin's rejection of the group's proposed amendment reinforces why it's 'so urgently needed,' according to the group. 'We're reviewing the AG's feedback and will revise and resubmit our amendment. But let's be clear: the new 8th grade reading requirement — passed by politicians trying to limit access to the ballot — is a serious barrier to a fundamental right,' the statement reads. 'We believe measures should be clear, accessible, and accurate. That's exactly why we're fighting this provision in court.' Court filings reveal opposition to intervening motion in Arkansas direct democracy lawsuit Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids, another ballot question committee pursuing an education-focused constitutional amendment, are trying to challenge Act 602 by intervening in a federal lawsuit that challenges several other new laws governing the state's direct democracy process. The League of Women Voters of Arkansas filed the lawsuit against the secretary of state in April. The League proposed its own direct democracy-related ballot measure this year that was thrice rejected by the attorney general, including once for violating Act 602. Griffin substituted and certified the popular name and ballot title so it met the eighth grade-reading level requirement on May 21. That means the League can begin gathering signatures to try to place their measure on the 2026 ballot. In response to the motion to intervene, both the League and the state argued in court filings last week that Protect AR Rights lacks standing and is not entitled to intervene in the case. Protect AR Rights could file its own lawsuit if a judge dismisses the motion to intervene, but Kopsky said the court would likely freeze both lawsuits while deciding whether to consolidate them. 'We believe it would slow the process down substantially, which doesn't seem to be in anybody's interest,' he said. 'So we were surprised that they opposed the motion to intervene, but our legal team is going to respond to it in a way that's appropriate. The bottom line is we're committed to protecting the right to direct democracy and the right to have access to ballot measures in the state.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill to remove excise tax on soft drinks, impact Medicaid funding, fails in house
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Removing the excise tax on soft drinks in Arkansas was debated at the state capitol Monday. Rep. David Ray (R-Maumelle) is leading the legislation and said the excise tax is burdening small businesses and is essentially double taxation because of sales tax. 'I've talked to some fast-food restaurant owners that tell me they pay over $1,000 a month in soda tax, just in the soda tax, so what you're doing is you're allowing those businesses to hire more workers, pay overtime to their employees,' Ray said. Multi-million funding allocation bill for Franklin County prison fails in Arkansas legislature for fourth time The revenue is one of the avenues for funding the Medicaid trust fund, which provides about $40 million a year. Peter Gess with Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families said that with Medicaid funding uncertainty at the federal level, it is now a bad time to remove this tax.'While it is true that any sort of tax on a food product or soda is regressive, meaning that it hurts people with a low income, more than it does people that have more money, the real problem with repealing this is that it's getting rid of a dedicated source to the Medicaid program trust fund,' Gess said. The bill outlines a phase-out of the tax over at least 5 years.'The only way it would be phased out is if certain revenue triggers are met on the sales tax side of the soft drink, so there's a mechanism in there to ensure that the state maintains ample funding for Medicaid and all of the important programs that we fund out of our general revenue,' Ray said. Under the bill, the sales tax would go to general revenue funding, and Gess believes it's not clearly allocated to Medicaid.'When budgets are tight, when we face a lot of uncertainty with what's going to happen with the federal budget going forward, this idea of losing this 2% without a dedicated replacement is quite frankly scary,' Gess said. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs 49 bills into law Ray said Arkansas is the only state with a soft drink tax, and 49 of the 50 states fund Medicaid without an excise tax on soft drinks. 'The Medicaid trust fund has a balance of over $500 million, there's over half a billion dollars in that fund, and there are five other revenue sources that go into it. This is just one revenue source, and so I think the Medicaid trust fund is going to be just fine without this tax,' Ray said. The bill failed in the House on Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Arkansas picks up school breakfast tabs
The state will pay for breakfast for public school students who don't qualify for federally funded meals, including in districts that already cover such costs, education department spokesperson Kimberly Mundell tells Axios. Why it matters: Arkansas has the highest rate of food insecurity in the nation. Ensuring all children have access to school breakfast improves their nutrition, health, behavior and ability to learn, according to Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. Driving the news: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders recently signed SB59 into law guaranteeing breakfast to all students regardless of their families' income starting this fall. By the numbers: Tax revenue from medical marijuana sales will help pay for the meals, which the state expects to cost $14.7 million annually. State of play: About half, or 125, of school districts in Arkansas already guarantee free breakfast to all students, according to state education department data. That includes three of NWA's largest school districts — Fayetteville, Rogers and Springdale. About 19% of students at Bentonville Public Schools are enrolled in federally funded free or reduced breakfast, spokesperson Leslee Wright told Axios. Lincoln, Greenland and Decatur school districts also offer free breakfast. What they're saying: Rogers began offering free breakfast to all elementary students in 2012 via a grant from the Arkansas Huger Relief Alliance. "Teachers reported that students were more engaged and alert in the mornings and there was a decrease in trips to the nurse during the morning related to hunger or lethargy," child nutrition director Margie Bowers told Axios in an email. Increased food and labor prices mean that Rogers will welcome the state assistance, Bowers said. Zoom out: Lincoln and Decatur are the only NWA districts to also guarantee free lunch, which is also offered by 101 other districts in the state.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Advocates for child well-being call for removal of barriers to Arkansas SNAP participation
(Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families) Low-income Arkansas families encounter too many barriers to access nutrition assistance, including low ceilings on participants' income and assets, according to a report Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families released Thursday. More than 400,000 Arkansans, about 13% of the state's population, relied on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in 2023, according to the report. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the program. Only 69% of eligible Arkansans were enrolled in SNAP in 2020, the third-lowest participation rate of any state that year, according to USDA data. SNAP-eligible Arkansans currently must have a gross income below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines — currently $19,578 for an individual and $40,560 for a family of four — and a net income below 100% of this threshold. The report states that 21% of the state's roughly 3 million people meet the 130% limit. In addition to income limits, SNAP's eligibility requirements include work participation for adult enrollees, a $3,000 resource limit and cooperation with child support enforcement, if applicable. These requirements impede Arkansans' ability to apply for SNAP benefits and maintain enrollment, hindering their ability to overcome food insecurity, AACF Race Equity Director Maricella Garcia wrote in the report and said in a Thursday afternoon webinar. Arkansas has the highest prevalence of food insecurity in the nation, at nearly 19% in 2023, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released in September. The report defines food insecurity as being unable, at some time during the year, to provide adequate food for one or more household members because of a lack of resources. Food insecurity for Arkansas children is higher at 24.2%, which accounts for more than 168,000 children, according to Feeding America. Poor nutrition can lead to a range of health problems for children, sometimes even before birth, and follow them into adulthood, such as heart disease, diabetes and iron-deficient anemia, the report states. 'As we fail year after year to address these statistics among our kids, what we're doing is building a new generation of adults who are growing up with these long-term health conditions,' Garcia said in the webinar. 'It's not necessary, we know the answers, and we can address them.' The report also notes that the cost of living in some areas exceeds the federal poverty guidelines, meaning some Arkansans struggle to get by but do not qualify for assistance programs such as SNAP. Nearly 367,000, or 31%, of all Arkansas households in 2022 were below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold of financial survival, according to United for ALICE, a nonprofit composed of United Way organizations and other groups dedicated to research and solutions about poverty. A steady job doesn't guarantee food on the table for many Arkansans One of several proposed policy changes in the report is raising the SNAP income limit to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Under the current 130% gross income limit, a household of four people with no elderly or disabled family members would have to earn no more than $3,380 per month. Arkansas is one of 13 states with an asset limit for SNAP recipients. Assets include cash on hand and in the bank, savings certificates and stocks and bonds, among other things. The asset limit increased from $2,250 to $3,000 in 2024. Garcia said the limit should be repealed entirely because it prevents families on SNAP from being able to address unexpected expenses. 'Many families, once they fall off [SNAP], don't get back on because it's so difficult,' Garcia said. '…You could get over $3,000 and then the next month have to spend that whole amount of money. It's just simply not enough, but it's enough to make you lose your benefits, and a lot of people on SNAP are working families. Because of that, they don't have time to go back and sit through interviews and do the entire process all over again.' Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, has said the asset limit is 'punitive' and disincentivizes people from saving enough money to overcome poverty. He sponsored legislation in 2023 that initially would have raised the asset limit from $2,250 to $12,500 for Arkansans to qualify for SNAP benefits. The bill met pushback from Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who said she opposed 'expanding welfare,' even after an amendment lowered the proposed limit to $6,000. The final amended version of the bill, which Sanders signed into law as Act 675 of 2023, maintained the $2,250 asset limit but authorized a USDA waiver request to allow exemptions for individual families with more assets. Those families would have a new asset limit of $5,500 and remain enrolled in SNAP as long as they receive an exemption within a year of exceeding the current limit. During a Joint Budget subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, Dismang asked Department of Human Services officials if the agency had submitted the waiver. Division of County Operations Director Mary Franklin said the 'broad-based categorical eligibility' put forth in the bill did not require a waiver, but the department needed to ensure it had the funding to enact Act 675. Broad-based categorical eligibility would allow families who qualify for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to also qualify for SNAP. Garcia included this as one of AACF's policy recommendations. Dismang said he was 'disappointed' that there had not been 'any progress whatsoever' on Act 675 after almost two years. He told the Advocate later on Wednesday that he would be 'looking at simpler ways to clean that up and allow people to have the right to better their situation.' Another 2023 law Dismang sponsored, Act 656, allowed students to receive free school meals if they already received reduced-price meals. Garcia said this law is an example that Arkansas officials can meet citizens' nutritional needs if they choose to do so. This year, Dismang is sponsoring a bill to create universal free school breakfast, funded by revenue from the state's billion-dollar medical marijuana industry. Sanders announced the initiative earlier this month. The bill has yet to be heard by the Senate Education Committee. AACF recommends implementing universal free school lunches in addition to breakfasts. Garcia noted that more than 260,000 Arkansas children in 2024 participated in Summer EBT, a federal program for children to receive food assistance during their summer break from school. Sanders announced in November that the program will continue this year. Sanders announced in December that Arkansas will seek permission from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to prohibit SNAP recipients from purchasing highly processed foods and encourage consumption of more nutritious, locally grown foods. Other policy changes AACF recommends include simplifying the SNAP enrollment process, which currently involves a 30-page application, and repealing the requirement for parents on SNAP to participate with child support enforcement. Garcia called the latter requirement overly burdensome. Arkansas' Marshallese community again eligible for SNAP benefits Additionally, the report notes that Arkansas' Marshallese population has not always been eligible for SNAP, though their eligibility was restored last year after federal law cut it in 1996. 'The Marshallese application is translated so poorly that Marshallese advocates report that it cannot be understood,' Garcia wrote in the report. 'Marshallese families are some of the most food insecure in our state. Now that Marshallese-born individuals are eligible to apply for SNAP, it is incumbent upon the Arkansas Department of Human Services to work with native speakers to develop outreach and educational materials that are accurate and that convey the requirements in simple terms.'
