State Legislators, Candidates to Attend Legislative Panel Discussion

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Staff Senate invites the campus to a Legislative Panel Discussion on Thursday, Sept. 30. Local state representatives and candidates will participate in a panel discussion on issues that concern the University of Arkansas campus and Arkansas higher education. University staff, faculty and students will have an opportunity to ask questions, share ideas and learn more about the relationship between state government and its flagship university.

Trish Watkins, chair of the Staff Senate Legislative Committee, said, “We especially want to invite faculty and students and inform them that this event is not just for staff. Several issues are coming up in the state legislature that may affect all of us.”

The panel discussion will be from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Education Auditorium. A reception will follow the discussion.

Topics for this discussion may include:

• The state's lottery-funded scholarships

• State appropriations for the University of Arkansas

• The relationship between state government and higher education

Audience members will also have an opportunity to participate and ask questions. What are the top issues facing members of the University of Arkansas community? What question would you like to ask the candidates for state office? Submit your questions in advance at the Staff Senate website.

The panelists will consist of the following state representatives and candidates:

• Sen. Sue Madison, D — Representing District 7 in the State Senate and in her second term as Senator.

• Earl Hunton, D — Candidate for state House representative in District 87. 

• Justin Harris, R — Candidate for state House representative in District 87. 

• Rep. Jim House, D — Representing District 89 and running for his third term in the state House of Representatives.

• Charlie Collins, R — Candidate for state House representative in District 89. 

• Abel Tomlinson — Write-in independent for state House representative in District 92.

Please join staff members to hear area representatives in the state of Arkansas talk about issues facing higher education on the Hill. For more information, contact Trish Watkins at 479-575-2276 or plwatki@uark.edu.