The 2020 Arkansas Voter’s Guide by Family Council is here.
We survey the candidates on a wide variety of issues, and we publish their responses in print and online.
Because the guide is non-partisan, any voter can use it for information.
You can learn more at ArkansasVotersGuide.com.
City leaders and officials in Rogers are weighing whether or not to permit public drinking in some parts of town, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Act 812 of 2019 by Sen. Trent Garner (R – El Dorado) lets cities create “entertainment districts” where alcohol can be carried and consumed publicly on streets and sidewalks.
These districts can be permanent or temporary, under Act 812.
Public drinking has been authorized in a few cities and towns around Arkansas — including El Dorado, Texarkana, Mountain Home, Springdale, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Sherwood, Little Rock, and North Little Rock — since Act 812 passed last year.
Leaders in Rogers reportedly are considering whether or not to allow public drinking in the southwest part of the city near the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion and Pinnacle Hills Promenade mall.
As we have said time and time again, public drinking is a scourge on the community.
It raises serious concerns about drunk driving and public safety.
Public drinking doesn’t attract new businesses or bolster the economy.
It hurts neighborhoods and families.
Arkansans ought to stay away from any proposal that would legalize public drinking in their communities.
On Friday the Arkansas Lottery released its financial report for the month of August.
The report indicates the state-run lottery made nearly $49.7 million last month, but budgeted less than $7.9 million for scholarships — about 15.8% of the Lottery’s revenue.
However, the Arkansas Lottery spent 70.5% of its money on prizes for lottery players in August; in July, 71.6% of the Lottery’s revenue went to prizes.
As we have written many times, the Arkansas Lottery spends an inordinate amount of money on prizes, compared to most state lotteries.
The average state lottery spends about 60% of its budget on prizes and 30% on education.
The Arkansas Lottery could provide millions of dollars more in scholarship funding every year if it would rework its budget to spend less on prizes and more on students.
Below is a breakdown of lottery revenue, scholarship spending, and prizes since the state’s new fiscal year began last July.
| Month | Gross Lottery Revenue | Paid to Scholarships | % Gross Revenue |
| July | $49,780,369.99 | $8,592,573.93 | 17.3% |
| August | 49,672,105.04 | 7,862,917.44 | 15.8% |
| Total | $99,452,475.03 | $16,455,491.37 | 16.5% |
| Month | Gross Lottery Revenue | Total Prizes | % Going to Prizes |
| July | $49,780,369.99 | $35,641,717.48 | 71.6% |
| August | 49,672,105.04 | 35,023,856.83 | 70.5% |
| Total | $99,452,475.03 | $70,665,574.31 | 71.1% |
