Arkansas Legislative Session Starting Monday

On Monday the Arkansas House and Senate will come together to discuss issues that could impact Arkansans. One of the biggest issues up for debate will be the expansion of Medicaid.
 
"I do have some concerns. One even if the federal government is going to pay for this expansion, that's still tax payer money whether it's state money or federal money."
 
"We're trying to solve our Medicaid shortfall that we have. Many states are looking to cut their services and we're looking to find additional funding to maintain those such as for nursing home care and hospice care."  

Options in education is another issue that will be explored. A bill will possibly be proposed to give students and parents, in certain situations, the choice in where they want to attend school.

 "I think it can be positive to have some degree of competition into public education, but at the same time, I do have concerns as to the overall benefit and overall affect it has on our public education as a state."
 
"I'm all for giving people choices. You have to be very careful. I don't want to see any of our schools become resegregation." 
 
Another key issue that has the interest of a lot of folks across the state is the possibility of minimum wage being increased to 8.25 an hour...higher than the federal level of 7.25 an hour and in some cases 6.25 an hour.
 
"I think we need to make sure that we're not overly burdening employers where it's difficult for

"We want to make sure that it works for everybody that everybody can get a minimum wage that is sustainable for them. The question is 8.25 the right amount or is 7.25 the right amount or is 6.25 the right amount." 
 
The Arkansas Legislative Session will go until May. Brea Douglas, NBC 10 News.
 
For the first time in over a century, the republicans will control both the Arkansas House and Senate.