November 2018 Arkansas Election Results Provide Very Give to Grow Few Surprises Program Bears By: Max Braswell Fruit for AFAEF, wenty-five new House members Governor Asa Hutchinson was easily re- and eight new Senators will fill the elected for his second term, as was Lt. ACH Tseats in the 92nd Arkansas General Governor Tim Griffin, Attorney General n its second year, the Give to Grow Assembly when it convenes in January of Leslie Rutledge, State Auditor Andrea Lee program raised over $8,000 to support the next year after the results of the November and State Treasurer Dennis Milligan. John IArkansas Forestry Association Education Arkansas General Election. However, the Thurston, the former Land Commissioner, Foundation (AFAEF) and Arkansas Children’s partisan balance will remain the same with takes over as Secretary of State, and Hospital (ACH). Republicans holding 26 of the Senate’s 35 Tommy Land, will replace Thurston as Land seats, and 76 of 100 House seats. Republicans Commissioner. This program was created by J.D. Neeley, also maintained their dominance of the the president of Neeley Forestry Service state’s Constitutional offices, holding all Two prominent House incumbents lost their Inc, in Camden in 2017. It was designed to seven positions. re-election bids. District 47 Representative generate support for both organizations by Michael John Gray, the House Minority using a common theme. Governor Asa Leader from Augusta, lost his seat to Hutchinson Republican challenger Craig Christensen The money was raised by Neeley’s clients was elected of Bald Knob. In northwest Arkansas, working with their hunting clubs. They to his second District 84 Representative Charlie Collins had the opportunity to donate 15 cents term in office, (R-Fayetteville) was defeated by Fayetteville per acre to Give to Grow. Those who chose defeating Jared Democrat Denise Garner. There were no to opt into the program, received the Henderson (D) major upsets in the Arkansas Senate. tax-deductible donation on their hunting and Mark West invoice and it was then collected by Neeley (L) at the polls on November 6. The Arkansas Forestry Association Forest Forestry Service. Express Political Action Committee provided support to 34 candidates in statewide With those donations, the program raised continued page 2 a total of $8,725 and will be split evenly between AFAEF and ACH. Tis the Season to Give: Easy Ways to At the beginning of the year, Neeley’s Donate to AFAEF During the Holidays goal was to grow the program. He said he continues to work to make sure more and he holiday season is here and just more people know about Give to Grow. by shopping for loved ones, you can Tmake tax-deductible donations to the “I’m going to continue to communicate this Arkansas Forestry Association Education great program to our landowners and let Foundation (AFAEF). them know of the awesome chance to give back through the AFA’s new Give to Grow When you shop online at Amazon, a small program,” Neeley said. “I’m also going to percentage of qualifying purchases will go personally reach out to other consultants to the foundation if you use AmazonSmile. You can choose the Arkansas Forestry Association and managers to ask them to spread the Education Foundation Inc. when you log into word.” To start donating is simple. First, go to smile.amazon.com to donate at no extra cost. smile.amazon.com and choose Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation cost to you. AmazonSmile currently does If you would like more information about Inc. as the charity. From there, shop like not work on the Amazon mobile app. You the Give to Grow program and how a similar normal and the site will donate half of one must use a web browser when shopping to effort might fit into your organization, percent to the foundation at no additional donate. contact the Arkansas Forestry Association at continued page 3 (501) 374-2441. Election Results, con’t. primary and general election races. Thirty of expressed his desire to complete the Farm CALENDAR those candidates were elected to office. Bill this year and is not planning to start Arkansas voters approved three ballot over with his own bill. The major hurdle initiatives on November 6. Issue 2 adds as to overcome will be on the Supplemental OF EVENTS a qualification to vote, that a voter present Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work December 4 certain valid photographic ID when casting requirements included in the House bill, a ballot in person or an Absentee ballot. which are supported by President Trump. 10 a.m. - AFAEF Board Meeting According to the National Alliance of Forest & Voters also approved an amendment to Owners (NAFO), the Timber Innovation Act 12:30 p.m. - AFA Executive require four licenses to be issued for casino is still well-positioned for inclusion in the Committee Meeting gaming in the state and voted to increase Farm Bill. AFA Offices the state’s minimum wage to $11 per hour Little Rock by 2021. Two other proposed changes to In addition to the Farm Bill, Congress will the Arkansas Constitution regarding tort be working to complete the remaining reform and term limits were kicked off the appropriation bills, including the Interior, December 12 ballot by the state Supreme Court before Environment and Related Agencies 10 a.m. - Tree Farm Inspector Meeting the election. Appropriations Bill that funds the & Environmental Protection Agency. Biomass Tree Farm Awards For those following the polls and continues to be positively positioned, but Brown’s Country Store & Restaurant prognosticators, there were also no real permanency language, long sought by surprises at the Federal level. As expected, forestry, is a longshot. Benton Democrats gained the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, while December 14 Republicans maintained their majority in 9 a.m. - PLT-WILD Environmental the U.S. Senate. While Democratic control Education Workshop of the lower chamber will mean changes Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature to many committees that handle policy issues of importance to forestry, it should Center not dramatically change forestry’s advocacy Jonesboro approach. Specific to forestry, all four Co-Chairs of the House Working Forests December 24-26 Caucus – Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), AFA Offices Closed for Christmas Collin Peterson (D-MN), Sanford Bishop Holiday (D-FA) and Jaime Herrera-Beutler (R-WA) won re-election, as did Senate Working The Arkansas Forestry Association’s Forestry Day Forests Caucus Co-Chair Angus King (I-ME). at the Capitol is scheduled for Tuesday, January 22 December 31-January 1 Republican Senate Co-Chair Jim Risch (R-ID) 2019. All AFA members are invited to attend. AFA Offices Closed for New Year’s was not in this election cycle. Holiday Back at home, AFA is preparing for the The upcoming Lame Duck session of 2019 legislative session, which will January 10 Congress is expected to focus on finalizing a convene Monday, January 14. Association new Farm Bill, which expired on September members are invited to attend Forestry 10 a.m. - Program Committee Meeting 30. Rep. Peterson, who is the incoming Chair Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, January AFA Offices of the House Agriculture Committee, has 22. The event kicks off at 9 a.m. and will Little Rock include forestry exhibitors, a seedling give- away, opportunities to attend legislative January 22 Rep. Collin committee meetings and more. Peterson 9 a.m. - Forestry Day at the Capitol (D-MN) has Arkansas Capitol Building expressed that In addition, the always-popular House and he wants to Senate Legislative Maps are in production Little Rock complete the and should be available, free of charge, by Farm Bill this the second week of December. year and does Please Note: not plan to If you would like more information on any For meetings that are held at the AFA Office, start over with legislative event, project or issue, or would his own bill. like to be added to the weekly Legislative please park on the street or in one of the Update distribution list, please call the area lots -- do not park in the Arkansas AFA office at 501-374-2441 or email Max Chamber of Commerce parking lot. Braswell at [email protected]. Easy Ways to Donate , con’t. Shopping at Kroger is another way you If you would simply like to make a larger can give to AFAEF. The Kroger Community donation to the foundation, you can do Rewards program gives $1.5 million back one of two things. You can mail a check to every year to non-profit organizations. 1213 W 4th Street, Little Rock, AR, 72201 or When you enroll your Kroger card, a donate online at arkforests.org. Click the portion of that money could go to AFAEF donations tab at the top and choose where and it will not cost you any extra. Log in you would like your donation to go. to your online Kroger account at Kroger. com, click the menu, choose savings and Donations like these are what help rewards, and then click Kroger Community the foundation continue to provide Rewards. The Arkansas Forestry Association education on forestry around the state. Education Foundation’s NPO number is AFAEF provides workshops all year to 63528. landowners wanting to learn more about forest management. It also works to You can also connect publish various educational materials to ensure landowners have the information Money donated to the Arkansas Forestry your Kroger Association Education Foundation is used to card with they need in order to make sound forest educate landowners, teachers and students around the Kroger management decisions. Along with Arkansas about forestry and land management in Community educating landowners, work done by the the state.