Busy Week

There has been a lot going on this week with meetings in Little Rock and back here at home. Tuesday I attended a Public Health committee hearing at UAMS. About 25 legislators were given a tour of the campus to see the new construction going on. One item on the agenda that gathered a lot of attention was the proposal of putting a satellite medical school in Northwest Arkansas. The data seems to support this step is needed to continue supplying Arkansas with doctors to every region of the state. The general consensus was to be supportive of the idea at this time and continue to study the feasibility of doing so.

Thursday I was in LR and met with an informal committe of mental health providers, educators and others who have an interest in improving the ever growing problem of juveniles and their families becoming involved in the court system. It was more or less a brainstorming session to try and get those who come in contact with these kids all on the same page. I believe a level of consistency is crucial to help stem the tide of delinquency, along with school and family problems. It was a productive meeting with several ideas and areas of concern coming forth.

I will be out of the state until next Tuesday, but will return that night to attend a Rural Development conference in Arkadelphia on the17th. The meeting will take place at the Clark County fairgrounds beginning at 6:00. This is a meeting for Clark and Nevada counties that is being sponsored by Sen. Malone, Reps. Roebuck, Hardy and myself. The Rural Development folks and several other state agencies will be there to provide information on how they can best assist our towns, municipalities and rural fire departments. Hope to have a good turn-out.