Arkansas State Senator and Arkansas Senate Majority Leader Scott Flippo joined KHOZ’s Around The Table on Wednesday to discuss the recent special session among other topics.
Flippo was in a recent special session. He said the session was called to amend a bill prohibiting mask mandates and another bill regarding federal benefits. Flippo said the benefits are set to end in September but he would not be surprised if they were extended. “There are jobs here in Arkansas and specifically in North Central Arkansas,” he said. He commented on how the benefits are hurting businesses. He said it is not right the private sector has to compete against this.
He said the votes were not even close to amend the bill regarding mask mandates. He said that a Republican Senator could not be found to even sponsor the bill. “I really feel that this is where are people are at on that issue.” He said he does not believe that is rooted in previously seeing COVID-19 numbers dropping but in a belief that people should have a choice. He added that he would not be surprised if a judge’s decision to block the ban is challenged.
Regarding the argument that masking should be left up to school boards, Flippo said it should be left up to the individual. He said this ban does not keep anyone from wearing a mask. He said even a bill to mandate it for children did not even have support to make it out of the House committee.
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