New radio ad #1

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The Texarkana Gazette profiles our race today

The Texarkana Gazette is publishing a summary of positions of local candidates almost daily, and today, they're profiling our race:

Larry Cowling
Steve Harrelson

Other races in the Democratic primary in this five county region include the fourth district congressional race, sheriff's primaries in Little River County (three candidates) and Sevier County (two candidates), a county judge's race in Little River County, a county clerk's race in Sevier County, four contested city council races in Ashdown, and an array of races for constable and justice of the peace.

Voter registration drive

Candidates are scurrying to register voters for the May 22 preferential primary in Arkansas. Today is the last day to register to be able to vote in the upcoming May election. Visit your county clerk at the local county courthouse or a state revenue office for driver services today to register.

Local item on the Personnel agenda today

I'm on my way to the Capitol to help push through approval for a director for the UofA campus in Texarkana that is set to open in the fall. I'll post updates from the meeting.

Update: Approved. Please pass the word along to your friend with Higher Ed/Administrative backgrounds. I'll post updates about the position once it opens.

Broadband Internet service in rural southwest Arkansas

High speed Internet service has been a hot issue here locally, with letters to the editor and community meetings centered around the topic. One project has been completed in northeastern Little River County. Connect Arkansas has been circulating surveys in the area, and the responses are as follows:

• I would like to get high-speed Internet service at the address below, but to my knowledge, no service is available.
56.3%

• I have high-speed Internet, but the service is too slow and/or unreliable.
50.0%

• I currently do not subscribe to high-speed Internet because it is too expensive.
37.5%

• I would subscribe to high-speed Internet if an affordable option was available at the address below.
43.8%

• How much would you pay for service per month?
Highest - $50.00; lowest $20.00

If you're reading Under the Dome on a dial-up modem, fill out one of these surveys and have it submitted. Broadband providers are using these responses to see where there is demand and need for service, and it is my understanding that other project in our area are already in the works.

Columbia County Survey
Hempstead County Survey
Lafayette County Survey
Little River County Survey
Miller County Survey
Sevier County Survey

My Jobs Plan

With three weeks left until the start of early voting, I'm focusing in on my number one priority as your senator, and that's creating new jobs for southwest Arkansas while retaining the jobs and industry that are here.

My plan is based on five broad themes:

(1) I want to continue to maintain a lean and efficient government with a balanced budget that doesn’t require additional taxes from employers;

(2) I want to focus on the needs of small business owners and farmers, which is the engine of our economy in southwest Arkansas;

(3) I want to promote transportation and manufacturing in an effort to make our area a transportation intermodal hub

(4) I want to invest in education, STEM, and vocational training to provide a ready workforce; and

(5) I support the governor’s quick action closing fund, which was used in 2008 to help keep Cooper Tire when we were faced with competing against other U.S. tire plants.

We must build an economy to grow into the 21st century if we want to compete with neighboring states. With this plan in action, we have already seen the construction of the John W. Turk Power Plant in my district, which currently employs over 1,700 jobs. I carried what is now Act 910 through the Arkansas Senate in 2011 for the construction of this plant. These five broad themes are my proposals for a stronger economy for southwest Arkansas, and together, we can continue to make this a better place to live, work, and raise families.

Texarkana Area Veterans Council

I met with local veterans yesterday to discuss differences in Arkansas and Texas law as applied to veterans. Years ago, Texas instituted a land bank for veterans, which has helped combat veterans get life started again upon return from war. We also discussed the naming of a soon to be bridge in Texarkana after local veterans killed in action.

There's an app for that

The Arkansas Dept of Education has launched a mobile app that that provides easy access to information on Arkansas school districts, schools, and educational cooperatives. It can also be used on desktop and laptop computers.

The app was developed by the Department's Research and Technology Division. It includes handy contact information and quick links to maps locating each school. The app is available for use by the general public, including educators, news media, and anyone interested in Arkansas schools. Click here:

https://adedata.arkansas.gov/mobile/

Governor Bookout

Congratulations to Senator Paul Bookout, who is serving as governor today. Governor Beebe is in China and Lt. Gov. Darr is out of state.