ARKANSAS MONEY & POLITICS
The Power to Deliver Wired for the Future to Serve The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas are excited to partner with Arkansas FIRST to expand robotics education throughout Arkansas. Our 17 electric distribution cooperatives’ service areas cover more than 60 percent of Arkansas with the power to serve more than half a million homes, farms and businesses. The cooperatives support Arkansas FIRST’s participants and are excited to help them have a bright future.
1 Cooperative Way • Little Rock, AR 72209 • (501) 570-2200 • www.ecark.org
Changing the way you view technology
Protect your most valuable assets with advanced 24/7 service Advanced provides services like camera systems and access control to keep your products, property and, most importantly, your people safe. Call us today to find out how we can change the way you view technoloy.
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THE FARM BILL NOT JUST FOR FARMERS LAUREN WALDRIP WARD- RICE FEDERATION DIRECTOR
It’s a common misconception: The Farm Bill relates to agriculture and doesn’t affect the average American consumer. This could not be further from the truth. The reality is, if you eat food, you need a farm bill. Since 1933, the Farm Bill has provided affordable food. It began as a way to support farmers struggling as a result of the Great Depression and has evolved into an extensive omnibus bill comprised of 12 titles which outlines programs including nutrition, conservation, rural development, international food aid and more. Updated and reauthorized every five years, the current Farm Bill expires Sept. 30 of this year. This bill accounts for a small bit of stability that our farmers count on to continue providing affordable food and fiber. Net farm income is down 50 percent over the past five years, and farm bankruptcy is up 39 percent over the past two years. Prices are volatile, markets are uncertain and regulations are burdensome. Arkansas growers accept these risks everyday just to produce a safe and quality food supply. The risk our farmers assume is unparalleled in any other industry. Every single year, Arkansas growers sign multimillion dollar bank notes knowing markets could change overnight. Typically, greater risk leads to greater return, but as is evident by the declining farm economy, agriculture does not share this correlation, and our farmers do not reap a proportionate benefit. In 2016, 515,270 Arkansans (over 17 percent) faced food insecurity, ranking us the second highest in the country. Farm bill programs help drive down food prices, and hungry Arkansans literally cannot afford otherwise. We all need a farm bill because we all need affordable food. Some critics of the Farm Bill focus on the fact that sometimes farmers receive payments from the government as a function of the legislation. They call it “corporate welfare” or “subsidies.” In fact, this is a farm safety net, and that’s not just splitting hairs. Many of our global competitors are able to put commodities on the market for what we all know is less than the cost of production. It’s easy to do when the government buys the seed and covers input costs for the farmers. That is a subsidy. That is illegal under WTO rules, and those practices are contributing to low prices and pushing our farmers to the brink of extinction. What our Farm Bill is supposed to do is create that safety net that lets farmers – and importantly, the banks – know that no matter how low prices go, the U.S. government is guaranteeing that farmers will at least receive a minimum price for their crops. It’s
low, and it’s sometimes below the cost of production, but it’s something. And no farmer wants that safety net triggered. Like an actual tightrope walker or trapeze artist – it’s good to know the safety net is down there – but it would be best not to fall. And the reason we, as Americans, want that safety net there for farmers is not just one of compassion for our fellow citizens – it’s a question of food security. If farmers get pushed out of business because of a depressed market as a result of market manipulation from other countries, or a devastating natural disaster, they won’t be back to grow food next year. And our food security is threatened. And food security means national security. Without stable food production inside our nation’s borders, we become dependent on other countries to supply our food. That position is counter to the leverage and freedom our food system currently provides. Payment programs outlined in the Farm Bill not only provide the safety net our farmers need, but also the security we need as U.S. citizens. We all need a farm bill because we all want to be safe. Within the Conservation Title, 31 percent of rice acres in Arkansas alone have been or are enrolled in Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Similarly, 15 percent of the state’s rice acres are or have been enrolled in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). These programs support the efforts our producers make to increase sustainability and help preserve our resources for generations to come. Farmers were the first conservationists, and these resources are crucial to their continued progress. Every farmer’s goal is to hand the land they work over to the next generation in better shape than they received it. And the Farm Bill helps them do that. We all need a farm bill because we care about the future. Out of 56 congressional delegates assigned to the Farm Bill conference committee, Arkansas is strongly represented by an impressive three conferees: Sen. John Boozman, Rep. Rick Crawford and Rep. Bruce Westerman. It’s no secret that agriculture is the backbone of our state. The rice industry alone contributes $6 billion in economic impact every year and provides over 25,000 jobs, which are crucial to rural communities. Every farmer generates an average of $1 million in economic activity. These activities are the lifeblood to farm towns all across Arkansas. When our farmers are successful, our rural communities thrive and our state as a whole succeeds as a result. The farm bill is a jobs bill, an economic development bill, a rural sustainability bill, a conservation bill, a food security bill and a bill that touches every single American. We all need a farm bill.
THE RACE FOR
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JARED HENDERSON
FA
MEMBER FDIC
FABT_Full_Page_Ad.indd 1
800.982.4511 | fabandt.com | #LIVEFirst 9/25/18 4:09 PM
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This year, CareChex® named Conway Regional: #1 Hospital in the Central Arkansas Market for Medical Excellence in Overall Hospital Care (2018)* Plus, 51 other prestigious awards* In addition to our full and dedicated team of doctors and nurses, we would like to thank you, our patients, for continuing to trust Conway Regional for your health care needs.
More Than 50 Reasons to Celebrate. *CareChex® — an information service of Quantros, Inc.
THE CARE YOU NEED. WHERE YOU NEED IT. Our patients place their trust and health in our hands, and caring for patients is a privilege and a responsibility we never take for granted. We are committed to our mission — to provide quality healthcare and improve the health of our communities.
(870) 262-1200 | 1710 Harrison Street | Batesville, AR
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St
tups
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Reaching NEW heights
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2901 Main Street North Little Rock, AR 72116 501.758.3646 • hbaglr.com
Based on the Merit Shop Philosophy, we help Members develop people, win work and deliver work Safely, Ethically and Profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work. WWW.ABCARK.ORG | 501.812.0828
| EDUCATE | CONNECT | | ADVOCATE | SUPPORT |
MINDS. BUILDING SKILLS. BUILDING FUTURES . BUILDING
“Build with a Pro.”
ACTA is the official school affiliated with the Associated Builders & Contractors of Arkansas.
500,000 JOBS ARE READY TO BE FILLED RIGHT NOW in the American construction industry. WITH A CAREER IN CONSTRUCTION, YOUR OPPORTUNITIES ARE LIMITLESS. Contact ACTA to learn about different craft areas and how to start your career in construction.
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Let Us Take Care of Facilitating your patients' medical transportation needs on both sides of the horizon Advanced Life Support Paramedic-Staffed Critical Care and Specialty Care Transports for ICU/ CCU patients • ZOLL Impact Ventilators/ RSI Capabilities • ZOLL X Series Cardiac Monitors • Medication monitoring and administration
ALS Ground Ambulance | Medical Helicopter | CCT/SCT Fixed-Wing Air Ambulance 2 0 1 7 A L S S e r v i c e o f t h e Ye a r b y t h e A r k a n s a s A m b u l a n c e A s s o c i a t i o n
855.367.9911 Celebrating 50 Years of Service AMP | OCTOBER 2018
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INDUSTRY
Economic growth in our great state
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The government is a wilderness and we have all the breadcrumbs. Knowing our way around the maze of state and
federal bureaucracy has made us a valuable ally to our clients for more than 100 years. In fact,
we’re well-versed in government relations, from regulatory law and legislative drafting, to government investigations and lobbying.
Let us put our experience to work for you.
Justin T. Allen and Erika Ross Gee WLJ / Government Relations Team
Rogers
Little Rock
wlj.com
Community-owned. Locally governed. Uniquely qualified.
Your Hospital
As the region’s only not-for-profit, community-owned and locally governed medical system, Washington Regional is uniquely qualified to care for Northwest Arkansas’ families.
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wregional.com
1995 Bernhard TME was founded in Arkansas in 1995 as a mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design firm. Over the years, we have grown into a full-service MEPFP, structural, and energy engineering firm. We offer a range of services, from building design and commissioning to energy modeling, retro-commissioning, and measurement and verification. This combination offers unique value because our staff collaborate across disciplines to deliver high quality designs and solutions. Our staff is comprised of expert professionals dedicated to providing clients with innovative engineering design and energy conservation solutions. We are driven by our firm’s core values of Owner advocacy. No matter the size or scope of the project, our expert staff will work to help you articulate and realize your own vision and goals. Developing innovative solutions to your unique challenges is what drives our passion for the industry.
founded and headquartered in Little Rock
47
registered Professional Engineers
131
employees in Arkansas Bernhard Energy is a development company specializing in infrastructure and energy efficiency projects. Our approach reduces the total cost of facility ownership by addressing the complete life cycle of an institution’s energy infrastructure system. We combine financial services and engineering expertise to deliver innovative and cost effective solutions to address deferred maintenance, energy infrastructure upgrades, and renovations or new construction projects. We offer structured finance solutions that are typically more cost effective than traditional debt or equity financing. Our process begins with an extensive evaluation of a client’s energy infrastructure assets and energy use. Through detailed engineering and financial modeling, our team quantifies the value that could be achieved through alternative funding mechanisms. We then compare the results to a typical, business as usual case and recommend the approach that yields the best economic outcome.
(501) 666-6776 Little Rock • (479) 521-8634 Fayetteville
624
clients in Arkansas
$46,350,574
in energy cost savings for Arkansas clients in the last five years
www.Bernhard.com
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HEALTH CARE
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ADVANCEMENTS
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POWER COUPLES
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WELCOMES
Stephen Webb PRESIDENT/CEO HOSPITALS • CLINICS • SPECIALISTS Searcy | Newport | Beebe | Bradford | Cabot | Clinton | Heber Springs
Unity-Health.org
Arkansas Heart Hospital Bryant, Arkansas
HELPING BUILD A HEALTHIER ARKANSAS. Clark Contractors is proud to be a part of creating the healthcare infrastructure essential to the well-being of our state and our people. We thank you for your confidence and look forward to continuing our efforts to build a healthier Arkansas.
www.clarkcontractors.net