Dear Friends,
During my time in Congress, I have listened closely to Arkansans as they have shared their good ideas with me. Your ideas always help me best represent you.
Sometimes your ideas have led to bills that became law or solutions to some of our state’s and nation’s most pressing issues, such as health care, economic development, protecting our environment, and serving our veterans.
I recently started a video series called “Your Ideas” where I highlight just some of the ideas that started right here in Arkansas and were put into action in Congress.
The only wilderness area in central Arkansas is Flatside Wilderness in the Ouachita National Forest which was established in 1984.
Thirty years have passed since the Flatside Wilderness was established, and it was clear that there was a need to study the forest lands adjacent to Flatside to see if they should be included in the Wilderness designation. With help from my friends Don Hamilton, Kurt Wasson, and Tom McClure, who contributed to the original creation of this protected wild space, we designed a bill that would immediately add over 600 acres of forest to Flatside, and designate 2,000 more acres for study. The Ouachita National Forest Staff was very helpful in the analysis and preparation of the legislation.
The Flatside Wilderness Expansion Act was signed into law in January of 2019, creating the Bethune Woods section of the Flatside Wilderness Area for Arkansans and visitors alike to enjoy for generations to come.
To watch, click HERE or on the image below.
It takes only one person to make a difference. If you have an idea, contact me.
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| Resources for Parents and educators |
Join My Discussion with the Librarian of Congress on Wednesday |
This Wednesday at 2:00 PM, the Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden is joining me on Facebook LIVE for a discussion about resources available for parents and educators as we begin the school year on August 24th.
Through these challenging academic times, the Library of Congress has been providing critical online resources catered to distance learning. I am excited to hear how the Library of Congress is rising to the challenge of helping educators meet the needs of students this coming semester.
| Writing to the postmaster general |
Arkansas's Mail Must Be Delivered on Time |
Friday, I sent a letter to the Postmaster General sharing my concerns about the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) ability to deliver packages on time.
It is vital for the American people to feel confident that their mail will be delivered in a timely manner, especially during the current COVID-19 crisis. Receiving mail within an advertised timeframe is essential for Arkansas families who rely on medication sent through the mail and for small businesses whose customers expect packages by a specific date.
In my letter, I also stressed how USPS plays an important role within our political system and how the Postmaster General must work to ensure reliable service to maintain the fair and open voting system that is fundamental to our democracy.
Read the full letter below.
If you have concerns about interruptions to your mail, please contact my Little Rock office at (501) 324-5941 or visit Hill.House.Gov.
| Speaking to Mitchell Mccoy on capitol view |
Over the last few months, I've heard from superintendents, teachers, parents, and state officials about safely reopening schools this fall. I introduced the HELP Act to create a more flexible program that would help educators and students transition to safe learning in the classroom or remote classroom instruction.
Glad to join Mitchell McCoy on KARK's Capitol View to discuss how my legislation supports local educators as well as rural school districts that don't have the same resources as larger districts.
We also talked about the need for Republicans and Democrats to work together to help the millions of Americans who have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus and my latest Golden Fleece Award given to the Internal Revenue Service for their poor management of the funds that Congress allocated in the CARES Act for direct payments to individuals to help overcome the financial hardship that this pandemic has caused for families across the country.
To watch, click HERE or on the image below.
| relief for families in need |
HUD Grants to Help Arkansas Housing Authorities |
This week, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced $472 million in CARES Act funding to be distributed to public housing authorities to help those in dire straits in the midst of this pandemic. Arkansas has been given over $5 million, which will help support families who rely on public housing.
Ensuring that families are not uprooted and have a roof over their heads is important as we recover as a community from COVID-19 and work towards becoming financially stable once again.
Over $1 million was awarded to central Arkansas Housing Authorities including the Housing Authority of the City of Benton; the Housing Authority of the City of Conway; the Jacksonville Housing Authority, the Housing Authority of the City of Little Rock; the Pulaski County Housing Agency; the Conway County Housing Authority; the North Little Rock Housing Authority; and the Searcy Housing Authority.
It is my honor to represent you in Congress. Please contact me at (501) 324-5941 or Hill.House.Gov if I may be of service to you.
Sincerely,
Representative French Hill
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