Arkansas
It’s official: Arkansas governor officially calls special session to lift Act 1002 law and let schools decide for mask mandate
Little Rock, Arkansas – Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson officially called a special session to discuss and lift the Act 1002 which will local authorities to decide over mask mandate.
According to the current law that was put into effect in April, the Act 1002 bans any state or local mask mandates. The governor added that he calls the special session to take place on Wednesday to amend the law to allow schools to decide their own mask policies.
The Governor said children under 12 are facing the larger risk as they are not old enough to get vaccinated.
“We understand the value of classroom instruction and we want those children to be as safe as possible,” Hutchinson said in a news conference.
However, the governor and the lawmakers plan to change the law only for elementary schools and that will not include high schools and college students.
The state officials have been under constant pressure in the last couple of weeks resulting with multiple protests across the state organized by parents.
It was not only the parents and the school districts officials, but also several Democratic lawmakers were pushing for the change. Following their latest actions, the Republican leader of the state Senate told reporters the proposal doesn’t even have a simple majority in his chamber.
“In my opinion, we are a significant ways away from even having the 18 votes,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Jimmy Hickey, R-Texarkana. “At this time, there is not a consensus to do that.”
As of Sunday, around 19% of the current active cases are children. Arkansas Secretary of Health Dr. Jose Romero said Tuesday that around half of them are not eligible to take the vaccine.
The Arkansas legislature met Tuesday morning and approved a public health emergency declaration issued by the governor.
Arkansas is one of the states with the lowest number of vaccinated people and highest infection rates in the country as a result of the Delta variant.
-
Local News2 weeks ago
Within the next ten days, the audit on the governor of Arkansas’s $19,000 lectern will be made public
-
Local News2 weeks ago
Laman Library is going to start providing free online job training
-
Local News2 weeks ago
Local businesses experience variable influx during total solar eclipse weekend
-
Local News2 weeks ago
The Toad Suck Daze festival has revealed its stellar lineup, unique zoo display, and donation options
-
Local News2 weeks ago
Five seniors from Parkview Arts and Science will get $200,000 in scholarships
-
Local News1 week ago
Wheelchair ramp constructed by Ozark Mission Project for elderly woman in need
-
Local News2 weeks ago
The Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority has received a $500 million investment
-
Local News1 week ago
A four-week closure is planned for North Rodney Parham Road
Leave a Reply