Arkansas Half in Ten Coalition Hosts Pre-Legislative Conference

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families and members of the Kids Count Coalition hosted more than 80 advocates from around northwest Arkansas for a Pre-Legislative Conference on November 18 at the Jones Center for Families in Springdale, AR.

Conference attendees were preparing for the upcoming 2011 state legislative session, which begins on January 10. The Conference included an overview on the state budget as well as a report from Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families Executive Director Rich Huddleston, who also serves as co-chair of the Legislative Taskforce on Reducing Poverty and Creating Economic Opportunity, on the work of the Taskforce.

Huddleston reported that the Taskforce’s recommendations will be released to the public on November 29 and will be sent to the governor’s office as well as to all members of the legislature. Taskforce recommendations include the overall goal of the Half in Ten campaign to reduce poverty by half in 10 years. The Taskforce was created during the 2009 legislative session by Senator Joyce Elliott. Senator Elliott also serves as co-chair of the Taskforce.

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families and Kids Count Coalition will host a statewide Pre-Legislative Conference on December 2 in Little Rock, where the full set of recommendations of the Legislative Taskforce on Reducing Poverty and Creating Economic Opportunity will be discussed further.