Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Arkansas Legislature, Special Session

Bills that have passed and are waiting to be signed by Huckabee:

FUNERAL PROTESTS

This was to stop protesters at funerals. I have a feeling that this violates the First Amendment right of free speech. I have commented previously that there are other ways to handle this problem.

SMOKING BAN

This will restrict smoking in the workplace and other public places. I've not problem with this, however, I've seen some places take it a bit too far. If you go by Washington Regional Hospital and some of their clinics, you will see smokers out on the street sidewalks. WRMC has forbidden smoking on the entire property forcing smokers to smoke out on the street. It's too bad they couldn't be a bit more accommodating and designate a smoking area.

WAGES

An increase of the state's minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.25. Employers will be passing off the wage increase to the customer. However, with the worker shortage here in NW Arkansas, most people are already receiving more than the minimum wage. It probably will have little impact here.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hi Valerie! There's a state law that went into effect Oct. 2005 that bans smoking on any hospital property. It's not just WRMC's stupid policy.

Nice site, btw.