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Hello again everyone.

Thanks very much for joining us.

It's a new year and odd numbered year, which means a regular session of the Arkansas General Assembly and this will be the final such session for Governor ASA Hutchinson, whose tenure by law ends in a couple of years.

What sort of session will it be for him and for the legislators?

For a preview or joined with the leaders of both Chambers, Representative Matthew Shepard of El Dorado, the returning Speaker, Senator Jimmy Hickey of Texarkana, the new President Pro Temp.

Gentleman thanks very much for for being with us an I'll open it up to whomever Mr.

Hickey will begin with you.

We have got an odd situation here.

Forced on us by COVID-19.

So in that regard it is going to be a very difficult session.

Or is it?

Is it in terms of the logistics of just having a legislative session?

Well, I think it would have.

It would have been a very difficult session, but Speaker, Shepherd and myself we have literally been working for the last four months with our Senate staff of the House stuff and our Bureau, along with the Secretary of State, and we've developed a very detailed set of procedures.

That's basically 9 pages long.

We've tried to think of every detail to just make sure that as Speaker Shepherd now it said that we started with the base.

Are two things with with the base was that we would.

That we would want to make sure that our staff, the public, and our members were all safe while at the same time providing the Community input.

Make sure that we have public participation that each session ***** dictates.

Well, yeah, Mr Speaker over to you because as as the protem indicated, it's going to be at a minimum, but it's still going to be awkward accommodating both public.

You know the lobbyists, those with interest before the General Assembly.

Have you got it worked out?

Do you think?

You know, I think we've got a good plan.

As with anything else, I think you have to.

Just when we get here, we're going to have to monitor and adjust as needed.

These are unprecedented times that we all know that.

I think that we've had the benefit of having conducted a number of committee meetings and conducting our business during the interim.

That is, given us and staff an opportunity to work through some of the details we've we've seen.

You know what are the issues that you have when you're having the public or having committee meetings here at the Capitol, and but undoubtedly having a session that brings all 135 legislators to the Capitol at the same time, along with staff, along with the public and all the others of individuals that are here related to the session, it is a challenge.

But as Senator Hickey said, there's been a lot of thought that has gone into this plan, and but again, we're going to have to just take it a day at a time.

And there may be things that as we get into the session, we may have to make some adjustments, but I think we feel like we've got the best plan possible as we begin next Monday.

What gentlemen, both of you and Mr.

Speaker will begin with you.

This question would have, I would think, have been unthinkable.

Just a few short years ago, but we had scenes from another capital, the US Capitol only this past week.

That indicates suggests how fevered these times are politically, how high emotions can run out of control even we had also an have on several occasions in recent months.

Men and women outside the Arkansas capital carrying all manner of weaponry, long arms handguns.

Is there concern on the part of either or both of you for the physical security of legislators and others who have to do business at the Arkansas Capitol?

Well, Steve, I've been speaker now for about 2 1/2 years and as long as I've been speaker, regardless of what may be going on nationally or elsewhere as speaker and as the leader of the house, I'm always concerned about the safety of our members in our staff and the public.

That's here to do business and so that hasn't changed now.

Undoubtedly with with.

What's a curd in Washington an with the the just the current political environment that we find ourselves in.

We are certainly communicating with Capitol Police with regard to how we can best operate, and making sure that they are, you know, are well situated to be able to provide a safe environment for us and they as you as you point out.

And as we all know, the capital is a place where we have a number of visitors.

A number of members of the public, various groups are.

Often times out in front of the Capitol, conveying various messages and so Capitol police is has dealt with a number of issues in the past and has always been up to the to any challenge that may be there.

The other thing I would mention is that recently, even before the events of earlier this week, the Legislature had approved additional positions for Capitol police, and so we're going to continue.

As with the Kovid situation, we will.

We will monitor the ongoing security situation an.

We know that Capitol Police, the Arkansas State Police and all the other related law enforcement agencies are going to are going to do their best to keep us safe and keep us posted.

If there is any particular issue that poses a threat to us alright over to Mr President.

If I can ask you essentially the same question, we have a new police chief on.

Note also chief of the Capitol Police, which is of course under the Secretary of State's office.

As the Speaker noted, may I ask Sir, your level of concern.

Well, thanks for your conversations with the secretary regarding this matter.

Actually yeah, so during during all of our conversations that had dealt with the covid, we've also, you know, been concerned with that aspect of it.

And I say concerned it's as much just making sure that we've had planned for everything.

As I agree with what Speaker Shepard said, I mean.

But also, I believe that Arkansas Capital is not the capital of.

Washington DC.

All of us are citizen legislators.

We have a close contact with our constituents.

I think the key to all of this is communication we have.

You know we have tried to be as transparent as open as we could about the session with Covid that was coming up an again.

That was our number one of our number one priorities was of this patient and safety and I think that will go a long way towards the public because I believe that's what they want to see from their government.

Is just that they have access to us within both your chambers, both your conferences gentlemen.

Your party now has super majorities in both House and Senate.

Well, that which which means that there is perhaps a bit less incentive toward legislative unanimity on any particular issue.

Mr Speaker beginning with you is not going to make it a little bit more difficult.

There's alot alot more would seem to be a lot more room for disagreement.

I you know I, I don't think so.

In the house we've had a super majority, you know, going back a session or two.

And So what?

My experience in the house in the past has been that there certainly are some issues that the viewpoints break along partisan lines.

But the vast majority of issues that we deal with in the Arkansas legislature don't breakdown along those party lines.

And so I'm optimistic that we can come together and can get the business of the people done.

And with regard to those issues that do tend to follow the party line votes, you know hopefully we can do.

We can disagree in a respectful, respectable and civil way we can take those votes and then we can move on to the next issue.

I've been really proud of how the house is has served and how we've come together and how we've, in my experience, been able to have very civil discourse and debate.

And take those votes.

Now we are in a period of time coming out of an election in November and as we move into the new year, it does seem that that the the political environment is overly charged and so I think it's just a reminder for each of us that we're going to do our part to try and conduct the peoples business in a way that the people of Arkansas can be proud of.

Yeah, you mentioned Mr.

Speaker breaking along partisan lines.

It's within the GOP conference.

There seemed to be I can be.

And ideological divide as well, and that's where the the tension arises or.

Wrong.

With within a within a caucus, whether you have you know 78 or 20 or 30, or when I came into the house with a little over 40 in the Republican caucus, anytime you have a group of individuals, there's going to be different viewpoints, and I think that what we've seen if you go back to the last session that we were able to come together and find consensus as a Republican caucus on the issues that matter to Arkansans.

And that's just part of the political process.

We know and respect the varying viewpoints, and you know, I don't think it's going to be.

With regard to any member, there's always.

There can always be disagreement, but I think that you know I'm optimistic that is a Republican caucus that we're going to.

We're going to find common ground and that we're going to be able to promote an agenda that is beneficial to all Arkansans.

Yep, senator, he Mr President, you have had some disagreements in your chamber that really, frankly, verge on the personal in of late.

Is that going to be?

How's that going to impact the session?

Well, I don't see where it's going to impact it anymore than normal.

Of course a lot of that stuff sometimes gets reported out into the press, and I understand that you know that's what makes news.

The thing is, is that we're a smaller group.

There's 35 of us, and although all 35 of the Members I have to say and have said that there's hardigree, and that's OK because the one thing that I will say is all all, although sometimes it may seem that we may bicker a little bit at each other, I have never been around a group of people.

That I can tell, care as much about Arkansas and I don't just say that because we're sitting here on this on this media event today.

They really do care about Arkansas.

And yes, we're going to have some disagreements on this.

And we're going to have some disagreements on that.

However, that's what governments about and it's my job and the rest of the senators jobs.

The find that balance and to create that legislature that led the bills and the.

That we need need to do this going to balance what the constituents in the state of Arkansas walked back to the speaker.

If I make sure there have been some rumblings around the Capitol that perhaps you are perceived by some members of your caucus as a bit too.

Main strip well a bit too moderate could you could you comment on that?

Well, you're not aggressive enough in dealing with with the administration with the executive anyway.

Well, I think that each of us have our own styles of dealing with issues.

As you know I'm attorney, I've been practicing law for almost 20 years, so I certainly don't have a problem with with debate, discussion, and having a disagreement now.

I think it's fair to say that I'm not one to try and air those out in the headlines or in the press.

I prefer to have discussion on a one on one basis, and I think that that's what the membership appreciates, and I think that in my dealings with Governor Hutchinson or whether it was with the Senate.

With President Protem Hendron, or with regard to Senator Hickey, who I have a great relationship with just because just because it may appear that I get along with people, doesn't mean that I that we can't have disagreement and that we can't work to find common ground on those disagreements.

An you know, many people have said that the session two years ago was the greatest we've ever had, and I tend to agree, but I think that it's not a credit necessarily.

To me, it's a credit to the membership, and so I think that it's for us as leaders.

We set the tone.

And that's what that's what I've tried to do, and as far as being you know, mainstream.

I mean, I just I'm just a guy from El Dorado, was born and raised here educated in Elder rated schools.

And you know, raising my family and one Arkansas to be a place where my work, my children, if they so desire, can stay and get a job and raise a family themselves.

And you know, it's it's.

It's also, you know, I think is a Republican.

I mean I am a Republican and that's I came into the house in the minority.

And now we're in.

The majority were in a super majority, so obviously.

As as a as we've moved forward, I think we're doing something doing something right and I look forward to continuing to hopefully bring people together for the benefit of all Arkansans.

Yeah, Mr President is early, of course.

I mean, we haven't even gambled the session and to order yet, but one of the focus anyway, much of it on your side thus far, has been on the hate crime legislation that one of your Members has promulgated as introduced open opposition by some.

Members and you have voiced some skepticism moment, and this is something that the administration Mr Hutchinson apparently would very much like to see enacted.

So what's the lay of the land?

Well, and I've been saying this over and over, it is so it is a hard thing to understand.

Not saying that you know the legislature on the Senate side is not open, open to discussions.

I'm just not for sure if there's an amendment of that bill that's going to balance it enough so that it'll get 18 votes on our side or not.

You know, I'd rather just speed, be honest with everybody and into the point as far as that goes.

If we could find that, then we will work on that bill and see if we can get it passed out.

You know this is one of those times that the business community wants to see an issue like that past.

I'm not 100% sure that you know the same feeling is out there within the majority of the constituency and it could be that maybe there just needs to be more explanation, more communication for us to figure out what to do on that particular item.

Is the stumbling block in the legislation as proposed by Mr Hendron?

Is it sexual orientation or gender identity?

Is that the stumbling block I hate?

I hate to talk talk for the members.

I think you would need to do that individually.

My feeling is is that it is.

It is more along the lines of the of the equality peace that I keep that I keep talking about where that the Members are just like well why would you want to do this for one group of people and not include all of them with some type of enhanced penalties like that.

So I'm from my standpoint I feel that again that is more more about that than it is the other Mr Speaker.

Your take on that on that particular bill or issue.

I'm sorry.

Yeah, I think that that's an issue that it's obviously going to be brought up.

I think it's it's an issue that with everything else going on, and of course there was a lot of discussion this this issue has been out there and discussed some deer in the interim, but you know, I think that that's an issue that we're just going to have to get into session when all 135 of us are here at the Capitol, there's a lot of different opinions on it.

There's many that support that I saved many.

There are some that support.

The bill that's currently filed you know on the synonym, but on the other hand there are those that oppose any kind of hate crimes legislation.

And then there's a lot of varying opinions in between as far as if you do that, what exactly does that?

Does hate crimes legislation look like?

What particular characteristics or groups should being included in any legislation?

And I think that on an issue like this as significant, it is as it is, we're just going to have to.

You know, see whether consensus can be developed.

I think it's with Covid and with the challenges we have just in terms of of being here in the capital and being able to meet being able to interact during the interim.

Whereas in the past maybe there was greater opportunity to try and work to develop common ground on a number of issues before we come into session.

I think in this session whether it's this issue or several other issues, I think that we're really going to have to just see where things go after we gavel in next week.

I will stay with the speaker just a moment Sir.

One of although I want to put it to both you gentlemen.

But there has been significant pushback in the interim between sessions are in the last year about Mr Hutchinson's.

Use of his executive authority in in dealing with covid.

How much pushback are we going to see Mr Speaker on your chamber?

What about what are the stakes?

What are the odds for Mr.

Hutchinson here?

I don't know that I'd consider it as far as the session goes, whether you'd consider to be pushed back.

I think that there's going to be there will be various bills that will be filed.

You know, I know one of the things that's been discussed about trying to involve the legislature.

When you have a statewide emergency or an emergency that is affecting a large part of our state and giving the legislature some input into the continuation of the of that type of emergency and the possibility of directives and mandates that.

Are attached to that type of emergency.

You know?

I think that that's a discussion that can be had.

I think it's a discussion that should be had during the regular session.

There were those that wanted us to come into special session to try and address with some of these issues.

My personal opinion was that it was better left for the regular session and so here we are.

On the brink of the regular session.

And I expect that you'll see a number of pieces of legislation.

And as we look at those items and review those items.

You know, I've encouraged my membership too.

As members have brought up issues to me, I've encouraged him to talk with the with the Governors Office as well, because I mean the governor now has been in this dealing with this emergency for the better part of nine months and under our current statutory scheme, so much of the responsibility falls upon his shoulders, and so I think that there's input that he and the executive branch as a whole can provide to that discussion.

And so I think that we will see that discussion be had, and.

See if we can develop some common ground that makes sense that where we learn from what we've experienced over the past nine months and hopefully better situate Arkansas for any challenges that we may face in the future.

Well, Mr Speaker, how are you counseling your members?

Or at least members of your conference caucus?

Has the administration overreached?

You know, as I as I evaluate, I mean they're they're just his with it.

Any any individual or any of our members there.

There are things that have taken place that maybe I personally don't agree with, but as this unfolded over the course of the last nine months and his members and the press and others would ask me about about some of the actions that have been taken.

When you look to current Arkansas law, that's that's what the law provides, and a previous legislature has.

Set that in place, but I would say that probably the idea of a of a statewide emergency, a global pandemic that would go on for the better part of nine months and counting that would force the closure of schools that would lead to restrictions on travel globally and otherwise, is probably not something that was that was high on the mind of those legislators.

I believe.

Back in the 70s when they when these.

These statutes were originally passed, and so now we have an opportunity to learn from what we've been through Sooner, Hickey and myself, along with other members, have have discussed this quite a bit, and center hickeys one that is always reminding us as well that as we look at what changes to be made, we have to keep in mind, you know, we can't necessarily anticipate what that next challenge or issue or emergency might be, and so we have to be very careful as we, if we as we consider any changes to make sure.

That there are no unintended consequences that weaken our ability to respond to emergencies that may present themselves well, let me go to President Hickey, Sir.

Have you, your chamber or the executive?

The legislative as a whole?

Have you been given adequate opportunity to advise and consent?

As with the governor, again, I think Speaker Shepherd said it the way that it was.

I mean that there might be some things that you know, we think that we might have done different or whatever, but I also have to look at that.

You know, whenever you're sitting in the governor's shoes and you're trying to make those decisions, you know.

Those are not.

Those are not easy decisions.

I mean whenever you're sitting there trying to keep the public safe, but make sure that your business community is going to operate the way that it needs to.

You know what everybody can be that.

Sideline quarterback or whatever you want to call it.

As far as I do believe that I actually, I don't believe I know there will be legislation that comes out on that as a speaker said.

We've worked with some of the members on trying to get that right.

From our standpoint, the one thing that I I have asked, you know the Members who are working on that is that I want us to be sure that we think like the Founding Fathers would have thought.

You know, let's just don't get be focused on what has happened during this pandemic.

Let's think that through to make sure that in the event 10 years from now, five years from now, 30 years from now, when that legislation has just been sitting there and you have an executive who has to use it, that we have not limited limited.

It is so much that that our government could not operate, because again, we don't know what could happen in the future to the extent that maybe the legislature.

Couldn't could not get down here.

Possibly that even the executive himself was not there.

So again, we're trying to work with those Members and think that through and do our due diligence to make sure that we get that right, not just for what we're dealing with now.

But for the future and many years to come.

Couple minutes remaining, gentlemen and I wish we had more time, but Mr President will stick with you.

Arkansas Works is going to read you gotta budget coming up.

Obviously this is something that the administration needs very badly.

What's the?

What's the outlook for Arkansas Works Mr President in your chamber?

Well, I'll have to say this in the in the past with Arkansas works it you know there's it's always been that that's been a controversial issue.

I am going to have to give credit to DHS this time.

They have actually developed a plan.

They've disseminated that plan to the membership.

They've had multiple conversations with members to show them the different options that would be available based on, you know if you did this or if you did that, I believe that with the work that they've done and they really done a good job this time, I can't say they maybe have done that good in the past, but they have really done a great job this time.

Putting that together an I think that'll go a long way to help the membership make the correct decision as we go forward with that Mr Speaker.

I would agree with the Cinder Hickey.

They DHS has done a very good job in working with members in hearing the concerns of members of answering questions and that's really something that goes back even two years ago.

Then when it wasn't necessarily directly up in the General Assembly, but there's always issues surrounding it in the appropriation.

DHS had indicated that point that they really wanted to work with the legislature as we move forward into the 2021.

Session and that that's at least from what I've observed.

That's what they've done, and so they've they've been talking about.

Generally what they would like to put forward.

And I understand they're working on a draft of that particular piece of legislation.

And so I feel like we have a great opportunity to find consensus on that issue.

But I do think that that dialogue, as with as with virtually everything else around here, dialogue is a real key to having the type of success that I hope that we have here.

Gotta end it there gentlemen, because we're simply out of time, Mr.

Speaker, Mr President, thanks very much for being our guest.

Come back soon.

Thank you, Steve Ann will be back next week.

Thank you for joining us.

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The Arkansas Times and KUER FM 89.