Friends,

Students across Arkansas are heading back to school, but for our teachers, administrators, and school staff, the work started well before the first bell rang. Last week, I had the chance to spend time with educators as they got ready to welcome students back for another year.

At the back-to-school breakfast in Benton, the excitement and school spirit were on full display, and the biscuits and gravy were delicious. In his address to the teachers, Superintendent Dr. Chris Nail shared his theme for the year, an uplifting message that compared a strong school community to redwood trees.

Their sprawling roots entwine, allowing the trees to lean on each other for strength and support, providing the foundation that allows the majestic giants to stand tall.

Like the roots, when our educators support each other, they provide that same foundation for students, from their first day in the classroom to the day they walk across the graduation stage.

Some of the moments that matter most happen outside the classroom. A teacher who notices a student sitting alone at lunch and makes an introduction, or who encourages a young person to join a club or try something new, can make a difference that lasts long after that student leaves school. Sometimes, simply knowing someone is in your corner makes all the difference.

That kind of support is what makes a school community strong, and it is what helps our students thrive.

I saw plenty of that school spirit in Bryant, too. Their back-to-school event filled the Bryant High School gym with teachers and staff ready for the year ahead. They even kicked things off with an incredible performance from a choir made up entirely of Bryant teachers.

Bryant continues to grow, bringing more students and families into the district each year. As it grows, its teachers and staff are working hard to make sure students have a place to learn, get involved, and be part of the Bryant community.

Benton and Bryant school spirit and pride will be on full display on August 28, when the rivalry returns to the football field for one of central Arkansas's favorite traditions: the Salt Bowl.

Of course, I don't play favorites. I'm just hoping for a good game, and I have a feeling that this year, the Panthers and Hornets will deliver.

Education should open doors, whether a student chooses college, career training, or another path. That's why over the last year and a half, I have supported several reforms that give Arkansas students and families more options and more opportunities. 

Here is what that means for you:

• More flexibility for education savings: Families can now use 529 accounts for a broader range of K-12 and workforce education expenses, including tutoring, books and technology, testing fees, dual enrollment, certain therapies for students with disabilities, and professional licenses and credentials.
• Additional help with K-12 tuition: Families can now use up to $20,000 annually from a 529 account for K-12 tuition, double the previous limit.
• New federal scholarship tax credit: Americans can receive a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for donations to qualifying scholarship organizations that help middle- and low-income families cover K-12 education expenses.
• More pathways to a career: Pell Grants can now help cover high-quality, short-term workforce programs, helping more Americans earn the skills and credentials needed for good-paying jobs.
• Strengthened Pell: Provided an additional $10.5 billion for Pell Grants in FY26.
• Invested in career education: Provided $1.5 billion for career and technical education and $285 million for apprenticeships.
• Supported students with disabilities: Provided $15.2 billion for IDEA State Grants.
• Invested in rural education: Provided $225 million for rural education and $45 million for rural postsecondary education and economic development.
• Helped workers pay off student loans: Employers can provide up to $5,250 in tax-free educational assistance, including student loan payments, after we permanently extended this benefit.

With students across the state heading back to school, I recently visited with Dan Spatz and his team at Healthy Flavors Arkansas in Faulkner County to see how locally grown food is making its way from Arkansas farms to our students' lunch trays.

Healthy Flavors is taking the farm-to-table concept to scale, working with local farmers to provide fresh vegetables to K-12 schools while creating a reliable market for locally grown produce. That means healthier options for our kids and another opportunity for the farmers who sell what they grow.

They were harvesting one of my favorites that day, purple hull peas, and I got to see how they go from the field to being packaged fresh or flash frozen.

If we want to Make America Healthy Again, it starts early. Connecting our schools with Arkansas farmers is a great way to help our kids develop healthy habits while supporting the hardworking men and women who feed our communities.

Thanks to Dan, the Healthy Flavors Arkansas and FRESH Network food hub teams, and all their partners for the work you are doing to bring fresh, nutritious food to Arkansas classrooms. And thank you for the delicious yellow watermelon. It was a welcome treat on a hot Arkansas day!

As students across central Arkansas head back to school, it’s a good time to remember to slow down and stay alert, especially in school zones and neighborhoods.

Watch for children crossing the street, obey school bus stop signs, and be mindful that morning and afternoon commutes may take longer. Let’s work together to make sure every student gets to and from school safely.

To all the students, parents, teachers, and school staff—wishing you a wonderful and successful school year ahead!

Last week’s Trivia: Which post-World War II program helped millions of American veterans purchase homes with federally backed loans? B. GI Bill

75% of respondents answered correctly

Fraud Alert for Veterans

Veterans should remain vigilant against scams involving fraudulent postcards or mailers that falsely claim to offer additional VA benefits. Always verify benefits information directly through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and never share personal or financial information with unsolicited callers or mailings.

Treasury just finalized the investment lineup for Trump Accounts as funding begins.

Initial contributions will go into a default, low-cost fund tracking the broader U.S. stock market, chosen specifically to keep fees well below the legal cap.

In the coming months, families will also be able to choose from four additional low-cost index funds:

• iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV)
• Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI)
• State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM)
• iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT)

These funds have been selected to provide diversified exposure across major segments of the financial markets while keeping investment costs low.

These accounts can be managed through the Trump Accounts app, available now on the Apple App Store and Google Play. If you haven't downloaded it yet, do so today so you're ready when funding begins Friday.

All kids born between January 2025 and December 2028 are eligible for a $1,000 federal contribution into a Trump Account. Millions of families have already signed up.

You can open an account by filing IRS Form 4547 through TrumpAccounts.gov, or when filing your taxes.

To learn more, click HERE or call my Little Rock office at (501) 324-5941.

My office can arrange tours of the Capitol and many other sights in Washington, D.C., on behalf of you and your family during your stay. Please note: White House tours require Real IDs or other accepted forms of ID, such as a valid passport or U.S. military ID.

If you and your loved ones are planning on visiting Washington, D.C. in the coming months, I recommend you reach out to my office to request tours as soon as possible HERE.

If you have any questions about your visit to Washington, D.C., please call my D.C. office at (202) 225-2506.