From the mailbag (Updated)

Been a busy weekend in Texarkana -- sorry that I've been out of pocket, and it'll continue to be slow on the blog today.

I'll add to these e-mails and letters I've received from constituents, etc. throughout the next couple of days:

• 1. What: Mentoring and Enrichment Seminar in Engineering Training for Juniors in high school students.
  When: June 3 -15, 2007
  Where: University of Houston Campus. Participants will live in the dormitory. Engineering students will be the mentors and counselors.
  Cost: $200.00 for the two week program. A Limited number of scholarships are available.
  For additional information, Log on to:
  www.egr.uh.edu/promise/pubs--choose the links camps or summer camps.
  Apply on-line. The application deadline is January 31, 2007.



• 2. A fundraising donation campaign for the Arkansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial
  in cooperation with the Sherwood Firefighters will be held December 7th, 2007
  Tickets: $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00
  At this time for tickets contact:
  Johnny Reep at affmemorial@comcast.net
  P.O. Box 56470
  Little Rock,AR 72215
  501-224-3710



• 3. The Arkansas Forestry Commission and its 1,400+ members are pursuing changes in the mineral rights laws as well as additional authority being granted to county judges concerning weight limits on county roads and bridges.



• 4. There's lots of talk on the House floor about the repeal of the BMI (Body Mass Index) requirements for public schools. There are good points to both sides. Let me hear your thoughts on it. I agree that it's an unfunded mandate, but I can also see the good points. My main problem with BMI is that it doesn't take muscle mass into consideration. A thoroughbred 5-star running back can be in the morbidly obese category simply because of his weight. My other problem with it is that the enabling legislation allowing testing didn't specifically call for BMI testing.
  
  Update: The Texarkana Gazette has an editorial directly on point (see 7A) this morning with the BMI issue and Rep. Keven Anderson's legislation. Good read.