john payton
New legislation prompts requests to delay Marvell-Elaine School District consolidation
Fileshia Powell said she’s been “fighting and praying” to keep the Marvell-Elaine School District open so her daughter, an honor roll student, can graduate from there next May. The rural Phillips County district is scheduled to be consolidated with another district this summer due to low enrollment, and Powell said the process has been tough […]
Amended bill restricting transgender adults’ bathroom use will return to Arkansas Senate
A proposed law that would make it a crime if an adult “knowingly exposes his or her sex organs to a minor of the opposite sex” in a public restroom or changing room passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday after being amended. Adults who enter and remain in a facility that does not align […]
SESSION SNAPSHOT: Arkansas LEARNS marches through the Arkansas House
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ first legislative priority took the next big step toward becoming law this week. The sprawling, divisive education bill moved through the Arkansas House of Representatives, passing on the House floor Thursday by a vote of 78-21. There is great passion on both sides of the debate, which has really become about […]
Arkansas bill restricting transgender adults’ bathroom use will be amended, returned to committee
Arkansas legislators will amend a proposed law that would make it a crime if an adult “knowingly exposes his or her sex organs to a minor of the opposite sex” in a public restroom or changing room. Sen. John Payton (R-Wilburn), the sponsor of Senate Bill 270, pulled the bill from consideration on the Senate […]
Arkansas panel OKs criminalization of using bathrooms that do not match a person’s biological sex
An Arkansas bill that opponents called the most stringent legislative attempt so far to restrict the behavior of transgender individuals passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday and will be considered by the full Senate. Senate Bill 270 would make it a crime if an adult “knowingly exposes his or her sex organs to a […]