House Democrats challenged massive child care cuts in a hearing chaired by @denisefgarner.bsky.social. Rep. Steele pointed out the need for better communication and @ashleyinarkansas.bsky.social observed that some parents will be forced out of the workforce because of these cuts. We must fix this.

Rep. Andrew Collins: “Terrible news out of Minnesota. These families and communities are experiencing an immeasurable loss, and my heart goes out to them. Political violence shakes us all, and it is being rightfully condemned across the political spectrum today.” www.cnn.com/2025/06/14/u...

We're excited about Max and all our great new candidates who are stepping up to serve. Let's go!

Would you look at that, a GOOD bill by House Democrat @ashleyinarkansas.bsky.social requiring universal breastfeeding and lactation care and support has been signed into law as Act 627! Sometimes a great idea, advocated by a brilliant legislator, can bring everyone together.

Coming up on State of the States: @JazzForMaryland.bsky.social and @ARhousedems.bsky.social leader Andrew Collins wrap up their legislative sessions with @JoeSudbay.bsky.social Join us, won't you?

“Here in Arkansas, our Democratic minority is fighting tooth and nail for a better Arkansas.” -Minority Leader Rep. @andrewcollinsAR That’s a wrap on the 2025 legislative session! We are thankful for you, Arkansas. We’ll keep showing up for you. #arleg #arpx

We are in the final week of the legislative session (!!), and Democrats are working for you until the end. Things will move quickly over the next few days, but you can count on us to keep standing up, speaking out, and pushing back for a better Arkansas. #arleg #arpx

ICYMI: House Dems joined the bipartisan effort to defeat the bill that would abolish the Arkansas State Library and library board. #arleg #arpx Read more: arkansasadvocate.com/2025/04/10/h...

Good morning, Arkansas! It’s a good day to defend democracy.  These Better Arkansas Agenda bills should run this afternoon: 🗳️ Online Voter Registration  🗳️ No-excuse Absentee Voting  🗳️ Extra Day of Absentee Voting 🗳️ Water in Line 🗳️ Protect Direct Democracy  #arleg #arpx

“Ultimately, that’s what our policy should be about: improving lives for Arkansans.” “I don’t think that the state is as extreme as the legislature has been.” Watch Minority Leader Andrew Collins on Arkansas PBS’s Arkansas Week. www.pbs.org/video/arkans...

📰 ICYMI: “No members of the public or of the committee spoke in favor of HB1615. Opposition came from Democrats, including Rep. Nicole Clowney of Fayetteville, who called it ‘blatant viewpoint discrimination.’” arkansasadvocate.com/2025/04/02/r...

THIS MORNING: Rep. Andrew Collins is running HB1037 in House State Agencies. This pro-voting bill allows 17-year olds to pre-register to vote so they are ready to exercise their first-time right to vote once they turn 18. Tune in at 10 to watch the committee hearing. #arleg #arpx

Even though Rep. Tara Shephard’s bill to collect survey data about student mental health, substance abuse, and other risk factors came up short today, we are proud of her fierce commitment to tacking mental health and substance abuse challenges for AR youth. #arpx #arleg

A better Arkansas means a better start for moms and babies. Congrats to Rep. Ashley Hudson for passing HB1333 that expands coverage for breastfeeding and lactation services. Dems are working (and voting!) for a healthier Arkansas. #arleg #arpx

Democrats are back for the mad dash to the end of session. 😅🏃🏻🌙 “Arkansas legislative leaders say they expect long days at the Capitol during the home stretch of the 2025 legislative session, which they anticipate concluding by April 16.” Read more: arkansasadvocate.com/2025/03/30/a...

Despite strong bipartisan opposition, including NO votes from all House Dems, the $750 MILLION appropriation for the Franklin County prison passes on a roll call vote in Joint Budget. #arleg #arpx

NOW: Rep. Andrew Collins presents The Arkansas Promise Act from the Better Arkansas Agenda: “The opportunity to go to college should be for everyone. With this bill, we avoid making parental income from being a closed door to higher education.”

These session nights are getting long and late, but your Arkansas House Democrats will keep working for a better Arkansas. 🌙 #arleg #arpx

“When you detect lung cancer early, you cut down on deaths. This is a lifesaving bill.” -Rep. Fred Allen Thank you for being a tireless advocate for a healthier Arkansas, Rep. Allen! #arleg #arpx

Legislators across party lines agree: State employees deserve a raise. And the funds to pay for it. #arpx #arleg arkansasadvocate.com/2025/03/11/a...

REP. JESSIE MCGRUDER presented the Fair Teacher Dismissal Act of 2025, joined by Arkansas educator Lisa Hargrave. “Please move forward in reinstating reasonable portions of fair dismissal. Please include accountability for school districts and school boards.” #arleg #arpx

📰 IN THE NEWS: House Dems oppose *even more* restrictions on the direct democracy petition process. arkansasadvocate.com/2025/03/10/t...

ACCESS, the higher ed power grab, passes on a voice vote in both chambers. Sen. Murdock (D) to students who testified: “Young people that have spoken: it shall resonate one day over time. It will make the difference you intend. We may not win the vote today, but the battle rages on.”

Back to ACCESS, the 123-page government power grab at the expense of students, educators, and schools. 30+ students are signed up to speak against the bill. An amendment was just adopted to create some allowances for excused absences when students participate in policymaking.

UP NEXT: Rep. @andrewcollinsAR presents HJR1003 to enshrine the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in our constitution. “Arkansas has a longstanding tradition of government transparency. It aligns with our motto: Regnat populus. Without it, our democracy becomes threatened.”

HAPPENING NOW: Rep. Andrew Collins (D) presents HJR1001 that makes redistricting nonpartisan: “The goal is to take politics as far out as possible of the redistricting process. When we have partisan redistricting, we tend to get more extreme government.”

Good morning from Joint Education, where the committee will take up “ACCESS,” the 123-page government power grab at the expense of students, educators, and schools. The room is full, and House Dems are ready to ask tough questions about the bill’s impacts. #arleg #arpx

Happy International Women’s Day! House Democrats are working hard for a better Arkansas for women and girls. Here are some of our bills: 1/

📺 ICYMI: Here’s the KARK story about Rep. Hudson’s Caring for Caregivers Act. 👇 www.kark.com/news/state-n...

NOW: Rep. Ashley Hudson presents 2 bills to the Rev and Tax Committee: the Strong Families Act (a tax credit for employers that provide paid leave) and the Caring for Caregivers Act (a tax credit for caregivers of family members). Both bills create a fairer Arkansas for families.

HAPPENING NOW: Reps. Richardson, Springer, & Collins advocate for keeping geographic, socioeconomic, racial, & gender diversity on boards and commissions and that the existing guardrails in law “make sure we think a little broader and go outside our immediate circles.” #arleg

Don’t mind us if we are hobbling into committee this morning. 😅 Despite a close loss in the annual House vs. Senate game, the House basketball team was much improved behind stellar rookie performances from Rep. Tracy Steele and Rep. Diana Gonzales Worthen! 🏀

“A bill that would allow nitrogen gas to be used in state executions was approved on Tuesday by the Arkansas House of Representatives. Every House Democrat, as well as several Republicans, voted against the bill.” www.arkansasonline.com/news/2025/ma...

HAPPENING NOW: House Dems on the Public Health committee are asking questions about patient safety and health care provider preparedness. Democrats are working for a healthier Arkansas. #arleg #arpx

Democrats led last week’s effort to stop an appropriation for a secretive, expensive prison boondoggle. Now the state admits the price tag has increased by $355M. Whoops! And if you believe that’s the last price increase, we have a bridge to sell you in Franklin County. #arleg #arpx

Bravo to our colleagues in the Republican Women’s Caucus for pushing child care tax credits and a fix to our state hospital logjam, issues we have also prioritized in our Better Arkansas Agenda. Success has a thousand authors! #arleg #arpx

We’re at the halfway point of session, and Arkansas House Democrats are more focused than ever on PEOPLE, POLICY, and PUSHBACK. 1/ #arleg #arpx

House Dems were proud to support the bipartisan legislation for universal free school breakfast. A better Arkansas means better for our kids, and we are glad #SB59 will be signed into law. #arleg #arpx 🥣🥛🍎

Arkansas ranks worst in the nation in maternal health. Republicans have filed their maternal health package, and notably absent is expanded postpartum Medicaid coverage to a full year. A modest improvement is better than the intolerable status quo, but it’s just not good enough.

NOW: House Dems are pushing back on #SB3 in State Agencies committee. Tough questions about Black maternal health, girls’ clubs in public schools, recruitment of women in engineering, & positions like Marshallese liaisons are met with: “We’ll have to agree to disagree.”

While Republicans are pushing abstinence-only sex ed and the “Baby Olivia” Act that requires students to watch an animated fetus video, Democrats are championing comprehensive health education. “Baby Olivia” passed out of House Ed today. Democrats voted NO. #arleg #arpx

Our own Rep. Glenn Barnes is leading the “unified effort” to fight for public employees in Jefferson County. #arleg #arpx Read more about his first bill here: arkansasadvocate.com/2025/02/03/a...

Republicans have filed a “Momnibus” (cute name!) for all their maternal health ideas. It’s empty. 1/3 #arleg #arpx

House Dems are ready for SB3, the so-called “anti-discrimination” bill that passed the Senate today. SB3’s impacts are so broad that it would get rid of Daddy-Daughter dances at schools — how does this make Arkansas better? #arleg #arpx

House Dems in Judiciary Committee today: “Why do you think this is necessary?” “Where in the bill does it say that?” “Do you have any kind of statistics that show that people want this?” “I just want to follow up and maybe get some clarification.” #arleg #arpx

Minority leader Rep. Andrew Collins and former House member Sen. Fred Love gave the Democratic response to Gov. Sanders’ State of the State Address today.

The legislative session begins one week from today. Throughout this week, we’ll introduce the members of the House Democratic Caucus of the 95th General Assembly. We are ready to get to work for a better Arkansas! #arleg #arpx

All we want for Christmas is a better Arkansas! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. We’ll be back in the new year ready to continue our hard work for a better Arkansas. #arleg #arpx

Sunlight is the best disinfectant. The Freedom of Information Act ensures transparency and accountability, which is why politicians have been chipping away at it in recent years. We’d lock it in. #arleg #arpx

You rule your state government. Not politicians or lobbyists. So when they try to take away your right to rule: Stop messing with our democracy. #arleg #arpx