Arkansas 3rd Congressional District Focus

This is the Congressional district I was born in...and that means something to me. I feel a real affinity to the place I lived the first year of my life. It also was where one of my grandmothers died. So this district is one I feel close to.




From the Arkansas AFL-CIO: (fighting yet more right wing attacks on working class Americans)

HB1324 and HB1325: Worker Misclassification Bills

WHAT IS WORKER MISCLASSIFICATION? The misclassification of a worker occurs when a worker is treated as contract labor when the law does not allow for such classification. The misclassification of workers as independent contractors continues to be a serious and growing problem. In 2000, the Labor Department found that 10-30% of employers audited in nine states had misclassified workers. The Labor Department concluded that the most significant reason for misclassifying workers as independent contractors was to avoid paying workers' compensation premiums and not being subject to workplace injury and disability-related disputes. In addition to avoiding workers' compensation issues, employers may also misclassify their workers to avoid taxes, insurance costs, and payroll deductions such as unemployment insurance and Social Security, which are required by law.

WHY DOES IT MATTER? According to a 2009 report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the IRS's most recent estimates of the cost of misclassification are a $54 billion underreporting of employment tax, and losses of $15 billion in unpaid FICA and Unemployment Insurance taxes. In addition to what appears to be billions in lost revenue, worker miscalssification is also unfair to honest businesses. Responsible, law-abiding employers are at a competitive disadvantage and are unable to compete with those who drive down their operating costs by tax evasion. Misclassification abuse involvs many crimes: tax evasion, mail and insurance fraud, grand theft, wage and hour violations, and money laundering.

THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SERVICES HAS RECOGNIZED THAT MISCLASSIFICATION IS OCCURRING WITHIN ITS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM. They have published literature on worker misclassification that can be found here: http://www.dws.arkansas.gov/Employers/WorkerMisclassification.htm

HB1324 & HB1325 have been assigned to the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor. It is important that these Representatives support these bills. The Contact information for the members of that committee can be found below.

BILLY GASKILL: no email address found - 870-239-4383

BUTCH WILKINS: butch.wilkins@arkansashouse.org - 870-972-5503

CHAROLETTE WAGNER: charolette.wagner@arkansashouse.org - 870-561-4600

BUDDY LOVELL: buddy.lovell@arkansashouse.org - 870-358-4104

MARK PERRY: mperry@windstream.net - 501-982-4561

BARRY HYDE: bhyde@hydco.com - 501-371-0255

CLARK HALL: clark.hall@arkansashouse.org - 870-829-3382

JAMES WORD: jword@aaasea.org - 870-536-4657

SHEILLA LAMPKIN: Sheilla.Lampkin@arkansashouse.org - 870-367-6349

JEFF WARDLAW: jeff@jeffwardlaw.com - 870-460-2814

GARRY SMITH: no email address found - 870-574-1792

FRED ALLEN: FredAllen99@comcast.net - 501-225-4979

LINDA TYLER (CHAIR): linda.tyler@arkansashouse.org - 501-329-8664

TRACY PENNARTZ: tracy.pennartz@arkansashouse.org - 479-285-4800

GREG LEDING: greg@gregleding.com - 479-422-8099

ANDY MAYBERRY: andymayberry@windstream.net - 501-888-3522

ANDREA LEA: andrea.lea@arkansashouse.org - 479-967-4992

STEPHANIE MALONE: stephanie.malone@arkansashouse.org - 479-629-5119

JON WOODS: woods.arkansas@gmail.com - 479-200-3100

BRYAN KING: bryan.king@arkansashouse.org - 870-438-6434

IF YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IS NOT ON THIS COMMITTEE, THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND HERE:http://www.arkansashouse.org/ OR may call the Arkansas House of Representatives at: 501-682-6211

If you wish to read more about Worker Misclassification, here are two links to articles from Missouri and Texas: www.labor.mo.gov/news_center/news_releases/2011/jandirectorsspotlight.asp

www.constructioncitizen.com/blog/houston-chronicle-mike-holland-emily-timm-jim-kollaer-misclassification-1099/1101201

GREEN BUSINESS IN FAYETTEVILLE: (from GreenAmerica.org)

NewMarket Naturals, Inc.
www.newmarketnaturals.com/
Water filtration systems from countertop and shower filters to whole-house systems. Manufactures replaceable filters, not throw-aways. Wholesale prices and distributorships available. Phone orders only.
Phone: (800)873-4321
Fax: (479)442-0104
275 Huntsville Rd.
Fayetteville, AR 72701-6134


I notice there are no NAACP chapters that I can find in this part of Arkansas. If anyone is interested in starting an NAACP chapter in the 3rd district, please contact me or this phone number (501.376.2227) if you are interested in starting an NAACP chapter in the 3rd Congressional district in Arkansas.


Benton County Democrats:
http://www.bcdems.org/

Regular meetings are held the 4th Monday of every month except August and December when we plan special events.

Registration begins at 11:15 a.m. with buffet lunch served at 11:30 followed by meeting at 12 noon. Meetings are held at the Clarion Hotel & Convention Center, 211 S. Walton, Bentonville.

The public is invited, but reservations are required for the $12 lunch and can be made by contacting Carole Westby at 876-2178 or westby@cox.net.


Carroll County Democrats:

For more info contact:

Chair: James “Levi” Phillips (870) 423-6365
Vice-Chair: Margaret Fancher (870) 423-6446
Secretary-Treasurer: Missy Jackson (870) 423-7056

Joe GoForth (870) 545 3470
Missy Jackson (870) 423 9010


Crawford County Democrats:

923 C. East Main St.
Van Buren, AR 72956
(479) 471-5442


Boone County Democratic Central Committee
Date: 1st Tuesday of each month
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Location: Senior Center, 1516 Rock Springs Road, Harrison

Headquarters:
1302 Hwy 62-65 N.
Harrison, AR 72601
(870) 204-6308
(870) 365-0908


Marion County Democrats:

Central Committee Officers
Chair: Harry Meyer (870) 449-8726
Vice Chair: Lucy Mothershead (870) 453-1854
Secretary: Dennis Sheehy (870) 391-1982

Representatives to State Committee
Samuel Pasthing (870) 453-3514
Marcia Richardson (870) 436-8218
John Richardson (870) 436-8218
Mary Jo Layton (870) 449-4617


Washington County Democrats:
101 W Mountain St.
Fayetteville, AR 72701
479-251-1151
http://www.wcdcc.org/getinvolved.html

Central Committee Meeting:
Date: 3rd Monday of each month
Time: 6:00 P.M.
Location: County Courthouse, Fayetteville


Madison County Democrats:
Central Committee Officers
Chair: Jack Robertson (479) 738-2784
Vice-Chair: Patti Shinn (479) 738-6804
Secretary/Treasurer: Billy Allred (479) 665-2239

Representatives to State Committee
Jack Robertson (479) 738-2784
Patti Shinn (479) 738-6804
Faron Ledbetter (479) 456-2896
Ginger Ledbetter (479) 456-2896


Newton County Democrats:
Central Committee Meeting
Date: 3rd Friday of each month
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Location: Newton County Courthouse, 100 East Court Street, Jasper
Contact: Donald Haddock (870) 434-5918


Franklin County Democrats:
Central Committee Officers
Chair: Bob Bond (479) 667-2973
Vice-Chair: Betty Brown (479) 667-3208
Secretary: Lonnie Turner (479) 667-2155

Representatives to State Committee
Bob Bond (479) 667-2973
Betty Brown (479) 667-3208
Lonnie Turner (479) 667-2155
John Hillard (479) 667-2551


Johnson County Democrats:
Central Committee Officers
Chair: Gene Raible (479) 754-8637
Vice-Chair: Michelle Frost (479) 754-3967
Secretary-Treasurer: Melody Reasoner (479) 754-5842

Representatives to State Committee
Kerry Taylor (479) 754 6374
Ron Taylor (479) 885-6374

Pope County Democratic Headquarters - Russellville
510 S. Arkansas Ave.
Russellville, AR 72801
(479) 968-2088

Central Committee Meetings
Date: 2nd Monday of each month
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Location: Pope County Courthouse, 100 West Main Street, Russellville
Contact: Olin Cook (479) 968-4203


Sebastian County Democratic Headquarters
221 Garrison Ave.
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 434-3009
scdchq@yahoo.com

Central Committee
Date: 4th Monday of each month
Time: 5:45 P.M.
Location: Headquarters @ 221 Garrison Ave, Fort Smith

Democratic Women
Date: 2nd Monday of each month
Time: 5:45 P.M.
Location: Headquarters @ 221 Garrison Ave, Fort Smith

For more information contact Janie Lewis at (479) 782-3469


BIODIESEL STATIONS IN THE FAYETTEVILLE AREA:
Here are some biodiesel stations in the Fayetteville area. Biodiesel is less polluting and has a smaller carbon footprint than regular diesel, and is produced right here in the USA. Biodiesel can be used in almost any diesel engine. Up to B20 (a 20 percent blend) any diesel engine, whether car or 18 wheeler or whatever, can use it. Above B20 some older engines may have problems, but newer engines should be ok.

Fuel Xpress 1501 N College Ave Fayetteville, AR 72703, 479-521-6513 Offers B5 (good in any diesel engine), CREDIT CARDS OK 24 HRS

Frost Oil Co. 1100 East Main Street, Clarksville AR 72830, 479-754-2840 Offers B10 (good for any diesel engine) CASH OR CHECK 7AM-5PM M-F

Bills Short Stop 3825 Jenny Lind Rd Fort Smith AR 72901, 479-646-0268. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine), CREDIT OK 7AM-10PM

Bill's Short Stop, 3825 Jenny Lind Road Fort Smith AR 72901, 479-646-0268 Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine), CASH ONLY/8:00 A.M TO 8:00 P.M.


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