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Representative Abernathy's Amendment for Health Insurance Funding Fails
The Joint Budget Committee's Special Language Subcommittee failed to adopt Representative Abernathy's amendment to provide an additional $25 million for public school employee health insurance. The amendment would have used $25 million from the education fund balances.
Education Commissioner Ken James spoke against the amendment by saying that the amendment would deplete the budget's fund balance. He indicated that passage of the amendment would create a $22 million education fund deficit at the end of this fiscal year.
On a roll call vote, only Senator Randy Laverty voted for the amendment while Senators Whitaker, Smith, Faris, Hendren, and Capps voted against it. On the House side, Representatives Everett, Saunders, Allen, Hoyt, Brown and Speaker Wills voted for the amendment.
AEA members and other educators should thank those members who voted for the amendment.
AEA President and AEA Staff Members Meet with the Governor's Chief of Staff
While the Special Language Subcommittee was meeting, AEA President Dan Marzoni and AEA staff members Richard Hutchinson and Peggy Nabors met with the Governor's Chief of Staff Morril Harriman to talk about additional funding for public school employee health insurance. While the meeting was cordial and Mr. Harriman indicated that he and the Governor were concerned about the problem, he stated that education fund balances were not available for public school employee health insurance. AEA leaders and staff suggested another option to provide more funding, and Mr. Harriman indicated that it would be considered. Further, Mr. Harriman indicated that efforts were continuing to find additional solutions to the funding problem for public school employee health insurance.
Keep Making Calls and Sending E-Mails about Health Insurance
AEA members and other educators must continue calling members of the House, Senate and the Governor to find additional funding for Public School Employee Health Insurance.
You may contact your representatives and senators online. Go to www.capwiz.com/nea/ar/state/main/?state=AR&view=myofficials
You may also contact representatives at the House message center at 501-682-6211, and the Senate message center at 501-682-2902 . These phone numbers are only in operation when the House and Senate are in session.
You may contact Gov. Mike Beebe by e-mail at governor.arkansas.gov/contact/index.php or by telephone at 501-682-2345.
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