Thread by @ForARPeople1

Good morning from day 2 of #arleg where they're up and at 'em early in the Senate. On the agenda: congressional maps and bills re: employer-mandated vaccines. Watch here: senate.arkansas.gov/todays-live-st…

#arpx 1/2

Catch this summary here from @ArkansasOnline arkansasonline.com/news/2021/sep/…

#arpx #arleg 2/2

#CovidVaccines will be the hot topic today, specifically the right of private business to protect their employees and clients.

Requiring immunization records isn’t a radical or new concept…

#arpx #arleg #arnews

Also important to note that the public was not given an opportunity to speak for or against any of the Public Health bills on today’s agenda. The batched and passed them without questions first.

#arpx #arleg #PowerAndControl

All Senator’s are present for today’s session.

#arpx #arleg

Sen. Ballinger is passing over #SB719, #SB731 and #SB736.

#SB732 is up next. Sen. B. Johnson is presenting.

This bill prevents #CovidVaccine “coercion”

@JimHendren1 calls point of order to say that this bill is not germane (not relevant)

LG Tim Griffin is explaining to the Senate that text should be considered over intent; he is arguing that the bills on the agenda are relevant.

#arpx #arleg

He goes on to reference the Supreme Court case that was talked about yesterday. The “unfinished business” part of the argument.

“I think there will be some legal challenges… I think that the issue of redistricting… that is on the safest most solid rock…” #arpx #arleg

Tim Griffin rules that these bills are germane; however, he leaves it to the #arleg Senate.

Hendren makes a motion to throw out bills that do not pertain to #FairMapsAR.

“It is very very questionable, what we are doing.” -@JimHendren1

#arpx #arnews

Still arguing what is germane and what is not. Lots of back and forth. The question is, do we take the resolution from April at face value, or do we follow the constitution.

Doesn’t seem like a hard choice… #arpx #arleg

“We determine what we do” - Trent Garner’s on another power trip, y’all.

#arpx #arleg #arnews

“We would prefer to believe a lie over the truth,” Sen. Hickey says at the well. He says he wrote the original resolution to ensure that we received the federal #covid funds.

Very passionate speech.

He tells #arleg to focus on governing, not getting re-elected.

Sen. M. Johnson says he’s fine with continuing to waste #arpx tax dollars. He says let the courts decide. #arleg

Sen. Hester has made a motion for immediate consideration; the motion carries via voice vote.

They are now voting on Hendren’s motion to overrule Tim Griffin’s ruling. Roll call was requested #arpx #arleg

Ruling of the chair remains. #arleg senate will move forward with all bills filed. #arpx

Sen. Dismang brings up that the public was not given an opportunity to speak. #arpx #arleg

Sen. B. Johnson says no. #SB732

Sen. Ingram says that the funding outlined in #SB732 isn’t eligible.

#SB732 requires funding from #covid relief to pay wages for people who refuse to get the #vaccination.

Obviously B. Johnson did not do his research… not surprised

@clarketucker asks if the public was given any public notice.

Sen. B. Johnson says there was 30 minutes before the committee meeting yesterday.

#arleg continues to work behind closed doors.

Power. And. Control.

#arpx #arnews

Add Sen. B. Johnson to list of #arleg who spread #covid miss information. #arpx

Sen. Caldwel received confirmation that the federal #covid money cannot be used in the way Sen. B. Johnson wants. #SB732

#arpx #arleg

Sen. Ingram corrects Sen. B. Johnson; Johnson claimed that vaccines have never been mandated.

Ingrams says schools require vaccines. Our country has also mandated #vaccines numerous times in our history.

Sen. Dismang speaks against #SB732.

“Congress has to pass a bill just for you to see it.”

He says the public was not given an opportunity to see any of the bills. The public was given a 30 minute notice. “This is controversial”

#arpx #arleg #arnews

“I’m a member of this chamber and I had no idea that we were going to do this… what we are doing is not right.” -@dismang on #SB732

#arpx #arleg #arnews

Sen. Irvin makes a motion to batch all bills on the agenda and send them back to Public Health for the purpose of adequate public notice.

The motion was not proper; we must wait for Dismang to leave the stand.

#arpx #arleg #arnews

#arleg currently:

Sen. M. Johnson says he agrees with public notice, but that the #arleg is just under soooooo much pressure… this is your job, Senator.

#arpx #armews #ARCircus

Sen. Irvin makes the same motion as earlier. She says the committee process allows the public to comment on controversial issues.

#arpx #arleg #arnews

“Be responsible and do the work,” Sen. Irvin says after making her motion.

It only requires 18 votes; it is a debatable motion.

#arpx #arleg #arnews

Sen. Bledsoe explains why she batched all the bills in Public Health. She says she is fine with having a meeting.

#arpx #arleg #arnews

Sen. Hickey says he’s willing to stay as long as it takes to ensure redistricting and these bills are felt with. #arpx #arleg #arnews

Sen. Garner present a substitute motion; all bills except #SB731 and #SB739 would go back to the committee.

#arpx #arleg #arnews

Sen. Davis thinks every Arkansas is privileged enough to have time to go online and find bills that are filed. She thinks 30 minute notice is enough time.

Just fess up, Davis; you shut the public out. Admit you’re wrong.

#arpx #arleg #arnews

Did you know there were 12 bills being heard in Public Health yesterday? #arpx #arleg

Ballinger arguing not to send his bill back to committee. He thinks he’s above public comments.

Say it with me: Power and control

#arpx #arleg #arnews #covid

Things are getting more heated. Sen. Hill says that he’s been blindsided; he would like to send all bills back to public health.

#arpx #arleg #arnews

Garner makes another substitute, the new one would send all bills except #SB721 to public health. #arpx #arleg #arnews

Sen. B. Johnson leaves the room after trying to close on the original bill (#SB732).

Substitute motion fail via voice vote; roll call has been requested. #arpx #arleg

Garner’s motion fails.

Sen. Chesterfield moves for immediate consideration of Irvin’s motion.

Reminder, Sen. Irvin’s motion was to send all the bills back to Public Health so that the public will have time to make comments.

Voice votes says nos have it; roll call requested

#arpx #arleg

Sen. Irvin’s motion passes! A big win for Arkansans!

Motion to adjourn has been made; nos have it via voice, roll call requested
#arpx #arleg #arnews

The motion to adjourn has failed. Sen Garner has two resolutions to present. #arpx #arleg

Sen. Ingram is speaking on #SR30. He asks the body what this resolution would do for Arkansans. Will it make them healthy? Will it do anything for them?

He says resolutions like this only seek to divide the #arleg. #arpx

#SR30 has been adopted. #arpx #arleg

Senate has FINALLY adjourned.

Public Health will meet tomorrow at 8:30am.

H-State Agencies is in recess until 2. We’ll be back then with more updates #arpx #arleg

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