District Update |June 30, 2016
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U.S. Congressman French Hill
Dear Friends,

The time for tax reform is now.

House Republicans are leading on this issue, and just last week, we unveiled our agenda for tax reform. It is nearly impossible to find a major issue in Washington that has such universal appeal, but the American people, across almost all ideological spectrums, support reforming the tax code.

As a former businessman, a taxpayer, and now as a Member of Congress, I understand your frustrations when it comes to paying taxes. The current tax code does not work for you. It’s complex and burdensome, and often makes little.

Even worse, it harms our goal of real economic growth. It is no mystery that we are living through the weakest economic recovery since World War II; and, government needs to do its part to create an environment where businesses of all sizes can thrive.

While the current administration has shown virtually no appetite for listening to your concerns about new and innovate ideas that would be a positive boost for our economy, the House is listening, and we hear you loud and clear.

Our families, businesses, and entrepreneurs all want--and deserve--a tax code that not only is fair and simple, but also will spur economic development and growth. From my time as a community banker, now to my time as your Congressman, I have had three decades of experience in dealing with our local business community. Those who work at, own, and operate businesses in central Arkansas are the heart of our local economy, and when they are hindered from growth by a broken tax code it affects all of us.

We have a long way to go in turning our ideas into reality, but I am committed to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to build a better tax code and improve the economy in central Arkansas.

Once you've taken a look at our agenda for tax reform, please take a few moments to visit my Facebook page and tell me what you think about the House Republican agenda to make paying your taxes simpler, fairer, and more economically beneficial for you and your family.

Sincerely,


Representative French Hill

Photos for the Week


Rep. Hill with J.R. Landers of Vilonia High School last week in Washington. J.R. won this year's Congressional Art Competition for the Second Congressional District. His painting, "Overcoming Darkness," will hang in the U.S. Capitol for the coming year.
Rep. Hill participating in a round table discussion in Washington about innovation in biotechnology. Rep. Hill's comments focused on the work at UALR and UAMS BioVentures.

News for the Week

Arkansas Officials Applaud U.S. Supreme Court Immigration Deadlock
TB&P
Several of Arkansas’ Republican elected officials reacted favorably Thursday to a tie vote by the U.S. Supreme Court that effectively upheld a lower court ruling against President Obama’s policy of selectively enforcing immigration laws. Arkansas’ 2nd District congressmen, Rep. French Hill, said, “In my view, the court’s most fundamental responsibility is protecting the separation of powers prescribed by the Constitution. The president’s maneuver to bypass Congress in order to create a class of over four million new residents is not exercising prosecutorial discretion. It’s legislating in direct violation of the Constitution....”

Read More


Arkansans in D.C., leaders in state react to U.K. results
Arkansas Online
The decision to leave the European Union by the United Kingdom won't affect its relationship with the United States, members of the Arkansas congressional delegation said Friday. U.S. Rep. French Hill said he respects the decision. "If the people feel this is in the best long-term interest of their nation, then Americans should support their desire to maintain their sovereignty," the Republican from Little Rock said. "Both the United Kingdom and the European Union are, and will remain, crucial partners of the United States."

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Making Mayflower Whole

Last week, more than three years after the Pegasus Pipeline spilled more than 200,000 gallons of crude oil in Mayflower, ExxonMobil wrote a check for $500,000 to the city.

In response to the settlement, Rep. Hill stated:

"Exxon had a responsibility to make this community whole, and this check is a good investment toward fulfilling that mission. I look forward to seeing the completion of the Heart of Mayflower Community Center and other planned improvements in the area. The people of Mayflower continue to demonstrate how resilient they are in the wake of all that has happened in this town over the past few years. I am extremely proud of their amazing efforts in rebuilding their town."


Passing of Donna Kelley

Following the news Sunday evening that veteran reporter Donna Kelley, passed away at 66 years of age from natural causes, Rep. Hill stated on Facebook:

"I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Donna Kelley. I have enjoyed her exceptional work for a long time. She was a model citizen, a great reporter, and a good friend. We all will miss hearing her voice everyday on Newsradio 102.9 KARN, and I want send my condolences to her colleagues and to her family."

Donna Kelley at work in the KARN newsroom. Photo credit: @Donna_Kelley twitter.

Hill and Boozman Introduce Legislation to Honor Fulbright Legacy

Last week, Rep. Hill and Sen. John Boozman introduced resolutions recognizing the 70th anniversary of the Fulbright Program, the United States’ flagship educational exchange established by former Arkansas Senator J. William Fulbright.

“Senator Fulbright’s name has been engraved in Arkansas history, and his work has had a mighty impact on the lives of countless youth and professors throughout the world. Over the past year, I have had the good fortune to meet with Fulbright Scholars from many different countries, each offering their own unique and inspiring story that was made possible by the legacy of Senator Fulbright. As an Arkansan, I am proud of this extraordinary contribution to the international community, and I am honored to be able to celebrate its global impact by introducing this resolution with Senator Boozman,” Hill said.

“Senator Fulbright’s vision for connecting our world through education is an important diplomatic tool. The Fulbright program creates a better understanding of different cultures and ideals while promoting peace and higher education. Today, as violence and intolerance grows across the globe, I believe the Fulbright program remains a beacon of hope for a better future,” Boozman said.

On August 1, 1946, President Harry Truman signed Fulbright’s legislation into law creating this international exchange program designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. The Fulbright Program has educated more than 370,000 students from 165 countries, including 54 Nobel Laureates and 33 heads of state.

Note: Rep. Hill has completed a series of activities to highlight the 70th anniversary of the Fulbright Program, all of which can be found here.



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