Legislators Preview Session

Protecting local businesses against a spike in unemployment insurance rates, and a measure that further limits the tax on used vehicles will be top priorities for local legislators settling into what could be a long session for the Arkansas General Assembly that gets under way this week.

State Sen. Missy Irvin of Mountain View and Rep. Michelle Gray of Melbourne are working together on both short-and long-term relief for local businesses affected by closure and employee layoffs. Both say they are especially concerned with the increased rates that could come as a result of closures and layoffs during the second quarter of last year.

Without some relief, Irvin said those numbers could result in increased unemployment insurance rates during 2021 that might be equally as damaging as the circumstances creating it.

“It affects literally every single business in Stone County, especially if they were hit hard with having to lay people off,” Irvin said. “It’s a huge issue."