Sanders’ agenda

As this column is written, on Sunday afternoon, it is the eve of the first day of Arkansas’ 94th General Assembly. It’s going to be an interesting session, with a slew of new legislators and, more importantly, a new governor.

In a report in Sunday’s Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, House Republican leader Marcus Richmond said much of what happens in the session is likely to be dictated by Gov.elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ agenda.

Sanders will be sworn into office Tuesday.

In that same report, Sanders was quoted as saying education is her top priority. Her “LEARNS” initiative includes prioritizing literacy, empowerment, accessibility, readiness, networking and school safety.

An emphasis on education could include higher pay for teachers, as well. Both the Senate and House education committees have recommended raising the annual minimum teacher salary from $36,000 to $40,000 a year and raising pay for all teachers by $4,000 a year.

Sanders is an advocate for improved access to pre-kindergarten education, as well.

Sanders indicated she’d like to see all of her education overhaul plans combined in one bill. She has been a proponent of school vouchers, which could cause some heartburn for public school superintendents who might get a smaller piece of the state’s education budget pie.

During her successful 2022 campaign, Sanders was notably quiet about Arkansas issues. Now, she professes to be “totally focused on Arkansas,” at least when asked if she was supporting any particular presidential candidate for 2024.

It could be that Sanders will govern in much the same fashion as her father, who — before he became a social media blowhard and a shill for whatever unproven product will pay him a dollar or two — was a remarkably effective governor.

Let’s hope that’s the case. The Democrat-Gazette report quoted state Sen. Linda Chesterfield, a Democrat from Little Rock, who said she is praying for Sanders “because if she succeeds the state of Arkansas succeeds.”

That’s a noble point of view. Let’s hope it’s the right one.

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The Carroll County Quorum Court recently bid goodbye to three long-serving members, and their absence is likely to make an impact on county government.

Former District 10 Justice of the Peace Larry Swofford served on the quorum court for 30 years. Often, Swofford provided a calm voice of reason for the court. In more than eight years covering the quorum court, I never saw Swofford lose his temper or display anything other than complete professionalism. When he spoke, it was a good idea to pay attention. He will be missed.

Former District 8 JP Don McNeely left the quorum court after 16 years of service to become the mayor of his hometown, Green Forest. McNeely wasn’t the most vocal JP, but he always spoke and acted from a position of faith. More than 30 years in the newspaper business has made me a fairly keen judge of character, and from my perspective Don McNeely is an honest and completely sincere gentleman. The city of Green Forest could have done much worse for a mayor.

Former District 2 JP Chuck Olson “only” served six years on the quorum court, but like Swofford and McNeely, he impressed me with his sincerity and honesty. Olson put in a lot of time behind the scenes as chairman of the quorum court’s building committee, and his energy and work ethic will be missed.

I wish the best to all three of these former JPs and to the new members of the quorum court: Bruce Wright, Hunter Rivett and Jerry King.