Federal Judge Rules Against Ten Commandments Monument on Capitol Grounds
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Little Rock, Ark. – On Tuesday, Chief U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker ruled against Arkansas’ monument of the Ten Commandments. The decision orders the Secretary of State to remove the monument if the Arkansas Attorney General fails to appeal the ruling to a higher court.
In a statement, Family Council President Jerry Cox said, “This is a bad decision that goes against 20 years of U.S. Supreme Court precedent. Arkansas’ monument of the Ten Commandments is identical to a monument the U.S. Supreme Court ruled constitutional at the Texas State Capitol Building in 2005. Arkansas’ General Assembly authorized this monument in 2015 to honor the historical impact the Ten Commandments has had on our nation, and the monument was paid for with private donations. The U.S. Supreme Court uses a ‘longstanding history and tradition’ test to determine if displays like this one are constitutional. We firmly believe that Arkansas’ Ten Commandments monument passes this test.”
Cox said Arkansas should be proud of its elected leaders for recognizing the historical and cultural significance of the Ten Commandments. “Placing the Ten Commandments monument on the Capitol lawn has been a democratic process. Arkansas’ elected legislators voted to authorize the privately funded monument, and the Arkansas Secretary of State allowed its placement alongside other monuments on the State Capitol lawn. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office has defended the monument in federal court. Arkansans should be proud of their elected leaders for taking this issue so seriously.”
Cox said he believes that Tuesday’s decision will be overturned on appeal. “The lawsuit over Arkansas’ Ten Commandments monument has languished in federal court since 2018. We disagree with Tuesday’s decision in the case, but we appreciate the fact that higher courts will finally have an opportunity to review it. We are confident that our federal courts ultimately will uphold Arkansas’ monument of the Ten Commandments as constitutional.”
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Federal Reserve Bank Report Shows Sports Betting Hurts Consumer Credit
A new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows consumer credit health is suffering in the wake of sports betting’s legalization.
Sportsbooks are now legal across most of the country, and financial data shows last year Arkansans wagered an average of nearly $1.8 million every day placing sports bets. But this type of gambling is taking a terrible toll on families’ finances.
A new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found legalization of sports betting leads to a tenfold increase in spending at online sportsbooks. Researchers also found an increase in credit delinquencies and a decline in credit scores after legalization.
This is just the latest report showing the financial harm that sports betting causes.
Research now shows that the legalization of sports betting may be linked to serious financial problems like credit card debt, overdrafts, late payments on loans, lower credit scores, and higher bankruptcy rates.
A UCLA study found that states with online sportsbooks saw credit scores decline three times as much as states with only physical betting locations.
One writer at The Atlantic described sports betting’s impact as “a wave of financial and familial misery” for households that are least able to afford it.
Besides the financial impact, studies have also linked legal sports betting to increases in binge drinking, mental harm, and even violent crime.
Sports betting is out of control. It’s corrupting sports, and it’s ruining lives.
Tax revenue from gambling has not improved Arkansas’ roads or boosted the economy. As powerful corporations try to make gambling part of everyday life, it’s important for Arkansas to protect its citizens and families from predatory gambling.
Otherwise gambling addiction will simply continue wrecking lives and hurting families in our state.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.