From the State House of Representatives From the State Senate

This week, the House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee approved two interim studies regarding tax incentives.

The first interim study proposal approved directs the committee to study the sales and use tax exemptions for farm machinery and equipment and the potential use of sales and use tax exemption cards.

The committee was informed there is a disparity between how Arkansas and some of the states that surround Arkansas administer sales and use tax exemptions for farming, which can lead to greater burdens on Arkansas farmers than those experienced by farmers in surrounding states.

The committee will determine if there is a potential need for legislation for the 2025 Regular Session to address the issue.

The second interim study approved regarding tax incentives directs the committee to study the development of a strategy to incentivize the long-term development of film and television productions in the state.

The Motion Picture Incentive Act of 1997, the Digital Product and Motion Picture Industry Development Act of 2009, and subsequent amendments in 2021 and 2023 have created a system of rebates and tax credits intended to support the production of a film and digital content industry in Arkansas.

A study conducted by the Arkansas Economic Development Institute found that for every $1 million in tax incentive payments, total spending by the motion picture production industry equaled $4.60 million. The study also found that $1 million in tax incentive payments had a direct impact on value-added (state GDP) of $2.71 million, with indirect and induced effects adding an additional $1.35 million, for a total impact of $4.06 million.

The committee will now study increased and additional film incentives for the long-term development of the film and television industry in the state and state funding strategies to create a thriving film and television industry in the state.

We’ve posted the interim study proposals on our website at www.arkansashouse.org.

The Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism publishes a report every year on the health of the state’s tourism industry.

According to the most recent statistics available, tourism in Arkansas has never been stronger.

Last year more than 48 million people visited Arkansas, an increase of seven million over the previous year. The money they spent, and the jobs they supported, continue to make tourism one of the pillars of the Arkansas economy. Tourism in the state is a $9.2 billion industry.

Last year set a record in collections of the 2 percent Tourism Reinvestment Tax. It is collected at hotels, marinas, theme parks and retailers that sell tourism-related items. The revenue pays for marketing and promotion of the state’s destinations.

Last year the tax generated $24.3 million, which was 16 percent greater than in 2021 and greater than the collections in our best pre-pandemic years.

According to the secretary of the tourism agency, more than 68,000 jobs in Arkansas are related to the tourism industry. That is a 6.2 percent increase over 2021.

According to the secretary, Arkansas has entered new advertising markets. Traditionally Arkansas promotes its tourist destinations in media outlets in nearby urban areas such as Dallas, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Memphis, Saint Louis, Kansas City and Chicago.

Advertising is placed in a diverse array of media in order to focus on families, motorcycle clubs, bus excursions, history enthusiasts and people researching their genealogy.

While Arkansas has long been popular as a destination for outdoor recreation, we can now promote cultural activities like fine dining, music festivals and art galleries.

The hospitality industry is already preparing for April 8, 2024, when a total eclipse of the sun will darken the sky along a path from southwest to northeast. The most impressive place to experience the eclipse is along the so-called “path of totality.” Hot Springs, Little Rock and Jonesboro are in that path. So are Russellville, Morrilton, Heber Springs, Fairfield Bay, Mountain Home, Flippin, Searcy, Arkadelphia, Texarkana, Malvern and Conway.

All of Interstate 30, from Texarkana to Little Rock, is within the path of the total solar eclipse.

520

Fax:

Bruce

P.O.

Phone:

Fax:

Visitors spent $9.2 billion. The largest category was for transportation, which accounted for 31 percent of the total. Next was spending on food and beverages, which accounted for 27 percent of the total. Lodging accounted for 17 percent, recreation and entertainment for 13 percent and retail purchases for 11 percent.

The department has placed a renewed emphasis on promoting Arkansas as a destination for outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, climbing, cycling, bird watching and boating.

The eclipse begins at about 12:30 and totality begins at 1:46 p.m. and ends at 1:59 p.m. Most locations in Arkansas will experience the total eclipse for two or three minutes.

Times and durations will vary, even within the same city, depending on how far away you are from the center line of the path of the eclipse.

Even though the eclipse will not occur for another five months, it’s possible to buy posters, T-shirts, coffee mugs, throw pillows and other souvenirs with eclipse themes.

Jean Marie

Maranell, age 89, of Mena, Arkansas, died Monday, November 27, 2023, at Medical City Dallas in Dallas, Texas. She was born on Monday, April 9, 1934, to Percy Parks and Georgia Parks in Sheldon, Iowa.

Jean was raised in Sheldon along with her siblings, Winifred, Don, Margie and Wilma. The family moved to Harris, Iowa, where she attended Harris high school until she was married in 1950 to Chuck Maranell.

The newly married couple moved to Mena, Arkansas, where they lived until 1953, at which time they moved back to Milford, Iowa. She lived happily in Milford raising her children, enjoying her many friends and being the number one fan of a band, The Rhythm Tones, whose lead singer was her husband, Chuck. She worked for 35 years for Berkley & Co in Spirit Lake, Iowa, and retired in 1995 to move back to Mena. Jean was an avid reader and a lover of Country Western and Classical music.

Jean is preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Charles “Chuck” Nicholas Maranell.

Jean is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Nicholas and Jody Maranell of Estherville, Iowa, and Jim and Nikki Maranell of Farmer’s Branch, Texas; one daughter and son-in-law, Vicki and Robert Brevik of Arnolds Park, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Gabriel Maranell, Jennifer Perkins, Shane Brevik, Shoni Brevik, Shilo Brevik, Jess Maranell, and Brogan Maranell; sisters, Winifred Adam’s and Margie Sikma and spouse, Harold; seven great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the St. Agnes Catholic Church in Mena, Arkansas, with Father Joseph Shantiraj as celebrant. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

Mr. Jay Dodd, age 94, passed from this world on November 29, 2023. He was born September 23, 1929, in rural Marion County, Alabama, to parents Sherman C. Dodd and Hassie McWhirter Dodd.

Since moving his family to Arkansas fifty years ago, Jay has been a dozer operator-clearing land, performing contract work for the U.S.F.S., building ponds and other work for the public. He was an outdoorsman and could rarely be found indoors. He enjoyed raising his cattle and working on his farm every chance he got.

Jay (“Grandpa Jay”) is survived by his beautiful loving wife of 68 years, Carreen Dodd; daughters, Sandy Gray (Monte) and Nancy Dodd of Hatfield; sons, Mike Dodd (Terry) and Matt Dodd (Leslie), of Blanchard, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Millie, Mandy, Jacob, Becky, Ronda, Luke, Tonya, Andrea, Travis and Jennie; 21 great-grandchildren; nephews, Rusty Elliott, Max Dodd and Mark Dodd; and niece Gwenda Alexander.

Jay was preceded in death by his great-granddaughter Maddison Martin and grandsons, Wayne Dodd and Johnny Dodd.

Jay proudly served our country in the Army during the Korean War in 1951-1953. He was a life-long member of the Church of Christ, serving as a deacon many of those years.

Pallbearers are Jacob Yates, Luke Dodd, Travis Dodd, Mason Martin, Kevin Hillier and Chad Ainsworth. Honorary Pallbearer is Kody Martin.

General Visitation will be held at Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Graveside services for Mr. Jay Dodd will be held at the Mollie Gann Cemetery on Monday, December 4th, at 10:00 a.m. with Brother Kevin Randolph officiating.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Charles Cunningham of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away Sunday, November 12, at home. He was born to Raymond and Norma (Honey) Cunningham in Mena, Arkansas, June 5, 1939. He graduated from Mena in 1956.

He joined the army and served in the Korean War. He was also sent to Little Rock, Arkansas, to help contain peace during their integration.

He is survived by his wife Macaline; son Scott; daughter Lisa of Wyoming, two granddaughters and one grandson, all of Wyoming; two brothers Bobby and Kay of Florida, Wiley and Lonna of Foreman, Arkansas; one sister Kay and Jerry Rector of Mena, Arkansas; a host of nieces and nephews.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, song Brian Cunningham, and brother Dennis Cunningham.

Jimmie LeRoy Davidson, 81, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away at his home in Boardcamp, Arkansas, on September 29, 2023. He was a Member of the Army Reserves for most of his life. He enjoyed being a survivalist, collecting guns, knives, and enjoyed kayaking in his free time.

Jimmie is survived by; one daughter, Donna Singleton; two sons, Scott and David Davidson.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

There will be no services, he will be interred at Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Chelsi

Aeriel Bates

Ms. Chelsi Aeriel Bates, age 31, passed away Wednesday, November 29, 2023, in Morris, Illinois. She was born March 21, 1992, to parents Robert Bates and DeAnn Ellis, in Mena, Arkansas.

Chelsi was a graduate of Mena High School, class of 2010. She was a homemaker by profession but had experience as a retail worker, most notably she worked at the Sunshine House Daycare. Chelsi had a very unique personality, with her tastes and interests ranging from crafting, gardening, and being an avid fan of all kinds of music (especially The Beatles), to being the biggest fan of The Boston Red Sox. Above all else, Chelsi loved her family, especially her children.

Ms. Bates is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Mike and Teresa Bates; maternal grandparents, Jim and Alta Flemens; and by her step-grandparents, Mike and Connie Brown.

She is survived by her son, Easton Luke Schoeppey; daughter, Juliet Ariel Schoeppey; mother and stepfather, DeAnn and Allen Ellis; father and stepmother, Robert and Jeannie Bates; brothers, Joshua Anthony Bates, Mathew Meade and wife Sophie, Adyen Ellis; sisters, Madison Ellis, Evelynn Ellis, Joscelyn Bates; niece, Maybree Bates; nephew, Dylan Meade; cousins, Carrie Lero, Jessica McDonald, Danielle Flemens Jones, Justin Flemens, Tiffany Simpson, Tyler Simpson, Jared

Flemens, Rilee Jean Flemens, Jacob Dylan Flemens, Bryan Bates, Elijah Snider, Noah Snider; aunts, Peggy Sue Yenser, Jovan Flemens Thomas and husband Mike, Brandee “DeeDee” Wheeler and husband Mark; uncles, Roger Dale Flemens and wife June, Jerry Flemens, Mikeal Bates and wife Mona; as well as a host of other friends and family who will love and miss her.

Memorial services for Ms. Chelsi Aeriel Bates will be held Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., at the Beasley-Wood Chapel, in Mena, Arkansas. Joshua Ward will be officiating the services under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Jesus said, “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And then when finds it, he lays it on his shoulder, rejoicing.” (Luke 15:4,5).

I had read this many times, but recently I saw this played out in real life. Let me tell you the story. Recently, I was riding around with my friend Beverly and her little pet dog named Taquito. Beverly stopped and parked the truck near a freshly mowed yard of a business so that Taquito could have a little break. It is important to note that Taquito is almost blind and also very nearly deaf. So, Taquito left the truck and began to run. In running, Taquito tried to cross a narrow bridge over a rocky creek bottom and, because she couldn’t see well, she fell off of the bridge into the rocky creek below, a ten-foot fall.

Dazed and disoriented by the fall, Taquito began to run trying to find out where she was. She ran into a thicket of thorns and briars and her lostness was compounded. She was really lost now. So, she just kept on going. She could not see very much and could not hear Beverly calling her, so she just kept on looking for Beverly... and Beverly kept on calling her.

Beverly loved that little dog very, very much. So, she went into the creek bottom. Taquito wasn’t there, so she climbed out, grabbing hold of rocks, roots, or anything else that would help her to climb up the embankment out of the creek, then into the thicket! Neither thorns, thistles, dangers from snakes, spiders, scratched hands, arms, back, or loose, falling rocks could stop her; she would find her dog, no matter what, and would not quit until she found little Taquito.

Taquito finally got out of the thicket, but she ended up on a city street that had much traffic. Her danger now increased. She had littler chance to get out of this situation! But Beverly had been searching for her for one solid hour from the very moment that she strayed.

Now Beverly got into the truck and began to look in the street for Taquito. Beverly saw Taquito, two hundred yards away, in the middle of that street with much traffic. Beverly jumped out of the truck and literally ran to Taquito. In spite of the traffic, she reached down, picked up Taquito, pulled that little dog that she loved so much to her chest and carried her to the safety of the truck.

Taquito represents the “lost sheep,” which is so much like us when we stray from Him. The thicket is the world and Satan. And they are trying to keep us lost. But there is One who will search until He finds us, even if it costs His own life. I saw Jesus in Beverly as she searched so diligently, even at the risk of her own life in busy traffic, and she would not give up until her little dog was safe in her arms.

We are like Taquito. Beverly was so very much like Jesus, as He never gives up in His search for us. We get “offtrack,” but He knows, and He cares, and He is able. And He takes us unto Himself, back into the safety of His arms. Like Beverly, Jesus never gives up either, even if it leads to a cross.

I will never forget the day I saw acted out the story of the lost sheep and the Good Shepherd. It became so clear: this passion He has for His sheep... His kids. He loves us and He will never give up until we are back in the fold.