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The 91st General Assembly


Legislative Sen. Keith Ingram Senate Minority Leader


where emerging technologies are developed and where politi- cal boundaries no longer define the limits of our potential. Tis trend is exemplified by encouraging changes in the atti- tudes of my legislative colleagues since I took the oath of office in 2009. For example, we no longer approach education policy from old perspectives, which could be summarized as writing rules to prevent schools from failing. Now, Arkansas is among national leaders in teaching com- puter coding. By next year all of our classrooms will have ac- cess to high speed Internet with capability to transport data that is well above national standards. You can spot the new trends at almost any awards ceremony,


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where students are recognized for building robots or writing computer programs, working together in classrooms without walls under the tutelage of mentors who not only teach but also work in the research lab of a local industry. Tose kids often live in rural communities and they talk knowledgeably about events taking place all over the world. It’s encouraging that Arkansas legislators genuinely appreci- ate the fact that education is an economic development issue. Tey understand that if you want to create jobs you have to improve educational opportunities, from pre-K to graduate research programs. Te direct connection between education and jobs is no-


where more evident than in our two-year colleges, adult edu- cation and workforce training programs. In 2015 the legisla- ture enacted a package of bills that dramatically overhauled our workforce training system. Community business leaders, who know which job skills are most in demand, have a vote in


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rkansas has already transitioned from an old South economy that relied almost totally on agriculture to a new South economy that includes manufac- turing and services.


Now, Arkansas is moving into what I call the “next South,”


what is being taught in vo-tech and technical training classes. Colleges and schools compete for funding through a grant process. Te theory is simple: programs that place people in jobs get funded. More than 16,000 Arkansans earn a degree or short-term training certificate from our two-year colleges every year, which means that over the course of their careers they will earn $400,000 more than people with high school diplomas. I’m working to instill this new attitude toward transporta-


tion. It’s time for a renewed commitment to stable, long-term funding of highways, bridges, ports and intermodal facilities. We’ve been relying on borrowing and bond issues, resulting in a piecemeal approach to highway construction. Tanks to communications technology and new attitudes,


Arkansas schools and businesses view Europe, Asia and South America as their new “neighbors.” It’s time to follow suit on transportation issues. Our outlook must extend beyond the state line; we’re connected to the rest of the world and we can ship our products anywhere by truck, train, barge or tanker. When it comes to commerce, Arkansas is not only near the geographic center of the United States. We’re at the center of the world. I’m starting to see a new attitude of responsibility and lead-


ership among elected officials at the municipal, county and state level. A good example is the issue of tax cuts. More of my colleagues are realizing that massive income tax cuts have an impact on education, law enforcement and vital services. Tey’re beginning to realize the threat to stability that is cre- ated when sales taxes are the foundation of the budget. If there is an economic downturn, and there will be, the effect on state revenue is exaggerated. Until the economy rights itself, bud- geting can be extremely volatile.


See “INGRAM” on Page 36 >>> COUNTY LINES, FALL 2016


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