Congratulations to Republican winners!
Congratulations to Governor-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the other constitutional officers who are all Republicans, and all the new and returning Republican members of the Arkansas Senate and House of Representatives.
Republicans are hopeful that with this new leadership the state will no longer be controlled by big government politicians and that in the coming year officeholders will take this opportunity to fulfill conservative promises made in the principles and platform of the Republican Party of Arkansas.
At the time of this writing, some races have yet to be decided. In the Arkansas House of Representatives, Republicans will have between 81 and 83 seats out of 100. In the Arkansas Senate Republicans will have 28 or 29 seats out of 35.
With most legislation only requiring 51 votes in the House and 18 votes in the Senate, the Republicans can pass strong conservative legislation even if several Republicans turn their backs on the platform and vote with Democrats.
Top issue in Arkansas
The top issue for the 2023 legislative session will be whether to pass real school choice to enable every family, regardless of income, to choose their child’s school, public or private. Arizona did it with only a bare Republican majority. Meanwhile Arkansas is a solid Republican state.
The Platform of the Republican Party of Arkansas is clear and strong on school choice, saying:
The education of Arkansas children goes hand-in-hand with our desire to grow the state economically and will help Arkansas to become a greater player on the global stage. This requires openness to every type of educational system available: homeschooling, distance learning, public school, private school, charter school, and vocational or technical school.
Every tool should be given equal consideration and be utilized in a manner that puts the student’s needs above all “to secure to the people the advantages and opportunities of education.”
Every opportunity for every family to enroll each child in the school of his/her choice should be secured by government and offered to Arkansas families. We also believe the student’s educational tax dollars should follow the student to his/her choice of educational procurement. Parents must have the ability to make informed choices regarding the education of their children and should not be restricted by lines on a map or the cost of tuition.
Lobbyists and big government interests are already working to stop school choice and other conservative legislation. Don’t let their voice be the only voice your elected officials hear. Encourage them to stand firm. Support your Governor and legislature in making strong conservative choices.
