Senate Public Health Committee Advances Bill to Protect Conscience

From Left: Family Council’s Luke McCoy joins Sen. Kim Hammer (R – Benton) and Alliance Defending Freedom’s Stephanie Nichols during presentation of S.B. 289 protecting healthcare workers’ rights of conscience.

On Monday the Senate Public Health Committee passed S.B. 289 by a unanimous voice vote.

This good bill by Sen. Kim Hammer (R – Benton) and Rep. Brandt Smith (R – Jonesboro) protects healthcare workers’ rights of conscience.

Arkansas’ current conscience protections are narrowly focused on abortion, abortifacients, and end of life decisions, and they protect only a limited number of people.

S.B. 289 helps broaden these protections for healthcare workers.

Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Stephanie Nichols traveled to Little Rock to testify in favor of the bill and outline some of the threats that rights of conscience currently face in Arkansas and across the United States.

No one should have to worry about facing retaliation or discrimination for obeying their conscientious convictions.

Rights-of-conscience is a long-established tradition that predates the U.S. Constitution. This right should not be ignored.

Arkansas’ healthcare payers currently have no specific conscience protections, and Arkansas law does not address discrimination or retaliation against medical professionals or companies who object to certain procedures. Current law also does not provide specific legal remedies for victims of discrimination or retaliation.

S.B. 289 helps address these problems. The bill now goes to the entire Arkansas Senate.

43rd Annual March for Life Rescheduled for March 14

The 43rd annual March for Life in Little Rock will take place Sunday, March 14, at 2:00 PM at West Capitol and Wolfe streets.

The march is a peaceful and prayerful event that attracts thousands of Arkansans from across the state including churches and families to remember the estimated 60+ million unborn children who have been killed by legal abortion.

This event, sponsored by Arkansas Right to Life, will remember the 48th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States on January 22, 1973.

Staging begins at 1:30 p.m. between Battery and Wolfe Streets on West Capitol Avenue behind the Arkansas State Capitol. At 2:00 p.m. President Andy Mayberry will lead the marchers along with elected officials, invited dignitaries and others special guests to the steps of the State Capitol for a brief program.

For more information go to artl.org.

Measure Would Eliminate Tax On Used Car Sales Under $10K

On Thursday lawmakers filed a measure to reduce taxes on used cars in Arkansas.

H.B. 1431 by Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R – Springdale) and Sen. Jason Rapert (R – Conway) eliminates the sales tax on used cars sold for less than $10,000.

The bill is similar to H.B. 1160 by Rep. Payton and Sen. Rapert.

H.B. 1431 and H.B. 1160 both are really good bills.

The used car tax hurts Arkansas’ poor and middle class families.

Many Arkansans can barely afford to buy a used car. They can’t afford to pay taxes on top of that.

Single moms who need a reliable vehicle shouldn’t be penalized for buying a used car. H.B. 1431 and H.B. 1160 give families some relief.

This is commonsense legislation that’s going to help a lot of families, and it won’t cost the State very much in tax revenue.

You can read H.B. 1431 here.