After giving final passage to a tax cut that overwhelmingly benefits our state’s top earners, the Arkansas Senate adjourned sine die this morning, bringing the Third Extraordinary Session of the 93rd General Assembly to an end.

The House adjourned sine die shortly thereafter.

In a special session that lasted a little under 48 hours, Republicans got what they wanted—an accelerated tax cut for our state’s top earners that does little to help everyday Arkansans—while punting on pay raises for teachers and school staff.

The other big item approved this week: a $50 million school-safety grant program. Though there’s bipartisan support for the program, both Democratic and Republican lawmakers expressed concerns over how the program will work and what will be required of schools that choose to apply for grants. The program is meant to help schools implement recommendations made by the Arkansas School Safety Commission. The commission’s final report is due later this year.

Before adjourning, the Senate recognized Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin, presiding officer of the Senate since 2015. Griffin is term limited and won’t be back when the next regular session starts in January 2023.

The Senate also said goodbye to Senator Jim Hendren (R-Gravette) and Senator James Sturch (R-Batesville). Senator Hendren isn’t running for re-election, and Senator Sturch lost to a challenger in the primary earlier this year.