Thread: Arkansas: Social, other issues confront lawmakers

Social, other issues confront lawmakers
Posted on 04 January 2009
By Rob Moritz
Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — While the slowing economy and tight state budget will get much of the attention, a variety of other meaty issues from animal cruelty to immigration to abortion will fill legislators’ plates during the upcoming legislative session.

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel spent much of last year crafting legislation that could win support from animal advocates and agricultural interests alike to make torturing a dog, cat or horse a felony on first offense. The measure also would make cockfighting and dog fighting a felony in the state.

McDaniel’s efforts have Gov. Mike Beebe’s support and the Arkansas Farm Bureau, whose opposition doomed such legislation in past sessions, has been receptive. The farm lobby has indicated it will accept a measure with clear definitions and exemptions so the agricultural interests would not face charges for their ordinary practices.

Illegal immigration remains a major issues for many in the Legislature, which in 2007 made it illegal for state contractors to hire illegal immigrants but failed to pass legislation that would have made it illegal to harbor and transport illegal immigrants into the state.

[b]Rep. Bill Sample, R-Hot Springs, said he would introduce a comprehensive immigration reform proposal to define the term illegal immigrant and specify the kinds of documents immigrants must possess to show they are in the state legally.

“Were going to take and define the documents that can be provided for an alien,â€

Identifcation in this country has turned into a joke! as are laws have.