The 2016 fiscal session of the Arkansas General Assembly became a personal experience for agricultural policy students from the University of Arkansas at Monticello School of Agriculture.
The class recently visited the state capitol at Little Rock and observed multiple legislative sessions and meetings while interacting with legislators and lobbyists. The students attended a meeting of the Joint Budget Committee where they received briefings from legislators on the procedures and issues being considered. Representative Mark McElroy of Desha County introduced the class to the committee.
A tour of the capitol followed before the group had lunch hosted by the Arkansas Farm Bureau legislative staff. Staff members were joined by Sen. Eddie Cheatham of Crossett and Rep. Jeff Wardlaw of Warren as they described the unique relationships within the policy development process. Students had opportunities to question the staff and legislators in small groups and share their personal backgrounds and post-graduation plans.
Following lunch, Rep. Dan Douglas, chair of the House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee, welcomed the class to his office for a discussion of current agricultural issues. Douglas shared his experiences and the steps leading from a cattle farmer in Benton County to the committee chair.
Class members were recognized by Rep. Sheilla Lampkin of Monticello during a session of the House of Representatives. Students were observed the voting process and formal operation of the House. Lampkin spoke to the class in a private session following dismissal of the General Session where she stressed the contribution that each student could make to the legislative process.
The Senate was the final stop of the day where the “Arkansas Works” bill was approved. Cheatham took the class into the Senate chamber following dismissal of the session and described the significance of the bill on the overall state budget deliberations.
The students were accompanied on the trip by Bob Stark, faculty adviser, and Greg Montgomery, animal science technician for the Southeast Research and Extension Center.