Monticello Live

Our servicemen and women deployed in war zones are often deeply affected emotionally and psychologically by their experiences. While these after effects are common, they are not always easily detected when military personnel return from overseas. Too often, when soldiers come home, they internalize their feelings about their combat experiences and avoid discussing them as they try to readjust to civilian and family life. Many avoid asking for help from anyone. Read the rest of this entry »

In the coming weeks, we will all be receiving our 2010 Census forms in the mail. Established by Article I of the U.S. Constitution, the census is one of America’s oldest traditions. While the method of counting Americans has changed over the decades, the significance of being counted remains the same. Completing the 2010 Census form helps ensure that a fair share of the federal taxes we pay to Washington, D.C., comes back home to serve Arkansas. Read the rest of this entry »

I recently visited juniors and seniors at North Little Rock High School to celebrate Say Go College Week. As a State, we are focused on ensuring that our students realize the advantages that follow college degrees. If it weren’t for my college degree, I would never have reached my full potential – and I certainly would not be where I am today. Read the rest of this entry »

A few weeks ago, Saint Jean Industries, a French auto parts manufacturer, announced that it will invest $14 million to expand its plant in Heber Springs. This will lead to an estimated 250 new jobs – no small feat in today’s economy. This expansion is good news for Heber Springs, good news for Arkansas, and good news for the company and its employees. It is also an example of strong, face-to-face relationships that continue to bring foreign investment to our State. Read the rest of this entry »

State legislators will not receive any raises in salary next fiscal year, under spending recommendations approved by the Joint Budget Committee. Read the rest of this entry »

We strive to make every educational opportunity accessible to all of Arkansas’s students, but those efforts will ultimately fall short if our students lack the passion and drive to succeed. While we want our students to achieve, we also want them to find success in fields that inspire them and lead to satisfying careers. Read the rest of this entry »

Martin Luther King, Jr. lived only 39 years, but his message of equality, social justice and non-violence has built a legacy that endures more than four decades after his death.

The struggle we face today in carrying out Dr. King’s dream is not only fighting traditional prejudices and biases, but also showing a younger generation of Americans how to realize their own dreams in troubled times. Read the rest of this entry »

This week, the Arkansas Department of Higher Education unveiled the Universal Scholarship Application. This simple, Web-based resource provides current and aspiring college students with a single application that will help them calculate how much State assistance they may qualify for in financial aid. Read the rest of this entry »

In my State of the State address in January, I reminded legislators that finding success during prosperity is admirable, but capturing success and moving Arkansas forward during a national recession would be a true achievement.

As we reflect on 2009, I believe we have met that challenge. Yes, we’ve lost jobs, and there are thousands of Arkansans still struggling. But we’ve weathered this storm better than the vast majority of our sister states, and I believe our recovery will be stronger because of it. Read the rest of this entry »

This week, Arkansas celebrated welcome economic-development news in three different communities. First, Hewlett-Packard opened its brand-new, multi-million facility in Conway. The company currently employs approximately 400 people and plans to continue hiring until eventually employing a staff of 1,200. Read the rest of this entry »

Last weekend, Arkansas lost a rare and unique individual. Joseph K. Mahony II was one of those people who needed only one name. When you said “Jodie” in certain circles anywhere in Arkansas, or across the South, everyone knew exactly who you meant. That’s because Jodie spent his life making his name synonymous with righteous causes: education, justice, and speaking up for people who didn’t have a voice to speak for themselves. Read the rest of this entry »

Most Americans aspire to own their own homes, and it has long been a component of the American Dream. Home ownership serves as an engine of social mobility and the pathway to prosperity. It is a family’s quickest and surest path to self-sufficiency, stability, and security. Today, nearly 70 percent of all Americans are home owners. Read the rest of this entry »

Arkansas made history five years ago when four U.S. Presidents and dignitaries from around the world joined a crowd of more than 25,000 to celebrate the opening of a single building. On that cold, rainy November day, we stood together to celebrate the dedication of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center. That week was merely a precursor to the economic and tourist boon this museum and presidential library have brought to Little Rock and to Arkansas.

Since the library opened, almost 1.6-million visitors have come through its doors. While we in Arkansas may sometimes take for granted that such an important cultural and academic resource is at our fingertips, it should come as no surprise to learn that an average of 300,000 visitors a year visit the library from out-of-state and across the globe. Read the rest of this entry »

I know from my own life’s experience that the opportunity for success begins with a good education. In this day and age, it is essential to have a postsecondary degree and training if you want to find a fulfilling and long-lasting career. Last year, we established the Arkansas Works Initiative, a call to communities across Arkansas to band together and coordinate efforts to make their hometowns more appealing to new businesses. We’re now taking the next step as a State, making sure that people can get the education and training they need to build a stronger Arkansas workforce.

It’s called the College and Career Planning System. By visiting your local Workforce Development Center, you can sign up for an online clearinghouse of information focused on Arkansans seeking jobs and employers seeking new hires. If you are unemployed or want a job that better provides for you and your family, you can learn what steps to take to lead you toward a career that best suits your talents and abilities. Read the rest of this entry »

This is Governor Mike Beebe. While I’m in Europe on an economic development mission, I’ve asked Dr. Paul Halverson of the Arkansas Health Department to give us an update about flu season and the availability of vaccinations.
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Influenza, or flu, is a contagious respiratory disease caused by viruses. There are several varieties of the flu. Currently, Arkansas has cases of the new H1N1 influenza A, commonly known as Swine Flu, in all of our counties. Read the rest of this entry »

The beginning of the school year is an exciting time, but it’s also a time when we need to take extra measures to keep our children – and ourselves – healthy. The 2009 H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, is considered by many health officials to be a serious threat, and no one can predict with certainty how grave it may become in coming months. Read the rest of this entry »

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