The Arkansas Legislature will convene its 2022 fiscal session on Valentine’s Day — in less than two weeks.
In 2008 voters approved Amendment 86 to the Arkansas Constitution authorizing the General Assembly to convene in even-numbered years to approve the state’s annual budget.
During odd-numbered years, lawmakers approve the state’s annual budget, but they also propose legislation amending Arkansas’ laws.
During a budget session like the one coming up on February 14, 2022, Amendment 86 lets lawmakers take up regular legislation if 2/3 of the Arkansas House and Arkansas Senate first approve a resolution authorizing introduction of a non-budget measure.
That means introducing pro-life legislation or other non-appropriation measures during a budget session first requires 67 out of 100 votes in the Arkansas House of Representatives and 24 out of 35 votes in the Arkansas Senate.
Our team is not aware of any successful effort to introduce a non-appropriation measure during a budget session since the Arkansas Legislature convened its first budget session in 2010.
Lawmakers can introduce and pass budget proposals spending taxpayer funds with a simple majority vote.
This year we really want to see lawmakers approve a state budget that will provide taxpayer funding to pregnancy resource centers.
This is something that our team has worked toward since 2018.
Many states earmark money in their budgets to provide alternatives to abortion. Oftentimes this funding comes directly from the federal government. The money can go to pregnancy resource centers that provide resources to women with unplanned pregnancies.
Pregnancy resource centers are on the front lines in the fight to provide women with options besides abortion. Many offer everything from adoption referrals to maternity clothes and diapers to ultrasounds, pregnancy tests, and counseling services—all free of charge.
Funding from the state can help them provide even more services to women and families in their communities.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
