It was a largely routine day at the legislature today with speedy passage of batches of budget bills.
One exception: Rep. John Payton asked for separate consideration of the appropriation bill for the Educational Television Division, or Arkansas PBS. He explained: “I don’t support public funding of indoctrination and lobbying efforts.”
There were no other comments, but needing 75 votes, the bill fell 26 votes short. Here’s the roll call. It will be brought up again.
The action may be related to recent unhappiness expressed by legislators over the political views — on climate change and the Biden infrastructure legislation of a potential contractor for educational programming (not having to do with climate change or infrastructure.) Legislators also commented on the supposed leftward tilt of the popular children’s program, Sesame Street.
Also, the Senate tabled resolutions to open the session to anti-abortion bills. As before, a two-thirds vote could bring them back to life