Greetings from Little Rock ! I’m state representative Steve Cole and this is my latest “From the Steps of the Capitol” report.  

Well, we legislators are becoming very busy as we prepare for the historic budget session for the state of Arkansas . Until this year, the legislature in Arkansas only met in odd-numbered years…to take care of all the business for the state. After voters passed the new referendum in the 2008 general election, we lawmakers now have yearly sessions. It was agreed upon that the even-numbered year sessions would be dedicated solely to budgetary concerns, and it couldn’t have come at a better time as our state continues to see revenues dwindle.  

Over the past several weeks, our Joint Budget Committee has been meeting to accomplish the task of getting all of our state budgets ready for filing in the upcoming session which begins February 8^th. It was agreed upon that, to save taxpayer money, this session would be as short as possible, so therefore we are taking care of much of the work ahead of time. Right now the feeling is that the budget session will only last 24 calendar days, with actual budget voting taking place on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.  

Some things to look for in the next session: First and foremost, the lottery and its surrounding amendments will dominate the first part of the session. Even though we have the legislation in place and the lottery is already generating millions of dollars in scholarship monies, there are many pieces of the legislation that need to be refined, to ensure that we can fund as many scholarships as possible. I think that the lottery is a welcome addition to the college-going students in our state but the lottery has also had some unintended consequences, many of those that affect the general revenues of Arkansas . The lottery will be studied very closely over the next several years to make sure that all of the benefits are properly handled.  

The second thing to look for in the upcoming session is we lawmakers paying very close attention to the economy of the state, meaning doing as much as we can for the state with the least money we have had in many years. It is no secret that the state is mired in a recession, so until new jobs are created, and revenues start to climb, it will be a constant fight to fund all of the projects that the state has planned for the future.  

I have been very busy paying attention to the health care reform that is sweeping the nation at this time. Even though I do not have a vote in this process, that doesn’t keep me from voicing my opinion to our folks in Washington . I am very leery of the present language of the health care bill in Washington as I still feel that there will be a disguised “government option” to this health care reform, and that means lesser-quality care, lesser incentive for good doctors to enter the field, and higher private insurance rates.  

Well, as always, if there is anything I can help you with around the district, please let me know by emailing me at coles@arkleg.state.ar.us. I pride myself in providing guidance and help to all of the people of district 21, as many times there are issues that a legislator can resolve when others cannot. This also means that I am willing to help people obtain grants, put places on the Arkansas Historic Register, assist with Unemployment or VA problems, or any other state-related problems or challenges you are facing.  

I am proud to represent district 21, I’m Steve Cole and this has been my “From the Steps of the Capitol” report.