Laura Kellams

Child advocate, political enthusiast, newspaper reader, Arkansan by choice.

[Laura Kellams @LauraKellams]

@mcookAR @ARSecofState I was just on there too and trying to figure out why it's so hard to navigate. Annoying!

[Laura Kellams @LauraKellams]

Arkansas would owe $55 million to keep SNAP. Where’s that coming from, state lawmakers? Say no to Senators passing “savings” onto us in the form of an enormous new state line item. #arleg #arpx

[Katie Bergh @Katie_Bergh]

Based on new USDA data released today, 44 states would have to pay tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars under Senate Republicans' #SNAP cost-shift plan. If a state can't fully pay, they would have to cut many low-income families off SNAP or end their program altogether.

[Jon Lovett @jonlovett]

I know we're having fun, but imagine how much MORE fun it would be to live in a functioning democracy where two fragile billionaires crashing out didn't impact, say, rural hospital closures.

[Laura Kellams @LauraKellams]

Requiring states to lose Medicaid funding if they cover lawfully residing children is cruel. Arkansas adopted this provision to make sure Marshallese-born children have coverage, along with other lawfully residing kids. This would have us pay more for Medicaid as punishment.

[Shelby Gonzales @shelbytg74]

By deleting a few imp words from the E&C bill, the reconciliation bill the Hse Rules cmte is likely to advance creates an unconscionable decision for states: end health coverage for lawfully residing immigrant kids & pregnant adults or face steep federal Medicaid $ cuts.

[Merriam-Webster @MerriamWebster]

'Vote' comes from the Latin 'votum' meaning "vow" or "wish."

Now we kind of want an "I just wished!" sticker....

[Laura Kellams @LauraKellams]

Deer family in the backyard on the north side of Mt. Sequoyah in Fayetteville. We have 3 inches here, and it’s starting to lighten up. Perfectly gorgeous day. ❄��� 🦌 #arwx

[Laura Kellams @LauraKellams]

Accuracy rating: 💯

[David Ramsey @ArkDavey]

The thing about politics is usually people who are this smart, this generous, & this fundamentally decent just don't run for office. LRSD got lucky. Anna is indefatigable. And she's almost shockingly uncynical: She just cares about kids, a lot, and she will fight for them.

[Laura Kellams @LauraKellams]

Join us at the Jones Center on Thursday! We'll outline several pragmatic solutions that are supported by our Arkansas delegation to Congress.

[Arkansas Advocates @AACF]

#NWAR Join us Thursday, Aug 31, in Springdale to learn how federal policies made it harder for Marshallese Arkansans to get food assistance: https://t.co/QoH5Fhg1KH

[Laura Kellams @LauraKellams]

@NWAalexgolden Great idea for a series... even those of us who live in NWA need a tourist-y primer sometimes on what's going on in the towns that aren't "ours." I'm glad you gave a shout-out to Havana Tropical Grill. That place is scrumptious.

[Arkansas Advocates @AACF]

AACF's Val Habrock got "Dolled up" in support of SB416, which would create the #ImaginationLibrary of AR. We know Arkansas struggles with literacy, and @dollyslibrary will get more books in little Arkansans' hands. We're sure @DollyParton would approve! #arleg

[Laura Kellams @LauraKellams]

@ademillo 91 and feeling spry

[Laura Kellams @LauraKellams]

@SerrrEverett @pilkingtonforar There’s not. The Division of Labor confirmed that.

[Laura Kellams @LauraKellams]

@MerriamWebster egads

[Laura Kellams @LauraKellams]

@willwatsonAR Walked in the sunshine at Fayetteville’s beautiful Ramble with my husband and my dog.

[Laura Kellams @LauraKellams]

@GregLeding As long as Heat is in the mix 💯

[Laura Kellams @LauraKellams]

@clarketucker Thank you for speaking against it.

[Laura Kellams @LauraKellams]

The Arkansas Chamber of Commerce agrees this child labor legislation could have negative consequences for kids -- particularly their educational attainment. #arleg #arpx

[Lara Farrar @farrarl]

As concern over child labor violations heats up across the country, Arkansas just passed a law to make it easier for teenagers to work. Read my story here. @ArkBusiness @AACF @LauraKellams @ArkansasHouse @ArkansasSenate https://t.co/MpjVuNSF9q

[Laura Kellams @LauraKellams]

@LadySnArkansas Now there's no permit at all, even though 14- and 15-year-old workers need some extra protection in the hiring process.

[Laura Kellams @LauraKellams]

Much misunderstanding in the Senate as this passed today. The permit is not an impediment to work (as was argued). It ensures that the business plans to have the 14- or 15-yo work in compliance with child labor laws. And now we won't have that safeguard for kids. #arpx #arleg

[Laura Kellams @LauraKellams]

Arkansas is on the cusp of dispensing with the permits businesses obtain to hire workers younger than 16. Doing this would make it easier to commit child labor violations. The claim is that the permits are useless pieces of paper. They are not. They protect kids.🧵#arpx #arleg

[Laura Kellams @LauraKellams]

@LadySnArkansas The labor laws are still in place. The state had a permit process for 14- and 15-yo workers. The employer had to get the parents' permission in writing and (crucially) attest in writing how the work hours follow the special labor laws for kids that age.