The Links features local legislators in three-session series
Flowers continued by explaining politics as being “the study of who gets what, where, why, and how.” Politics in government, she said, is the same as politics in other areas, such as education, business, and even churches. Political leadership determines the condition of the country and the world, as is evidenced by the current pandemic.
The Pine Bluff chapter of Links began a three-session series of “Linking with the Legislators” on Feb. 25 via Zoom.
The first session featured state Rep. Vivian Flowers, D- Pine Bluff, who is serving her fourth term in the Arkansas House of Representatives and representing District 17.
She provided information on the work of the legislature and responded to questions.
In her introduction of Flowers, Gladys Benford noted that Flowers received her undergraduate degree at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and her master’s degree at the Clinton School of Public Service. Flowers also serves on numerous committees at the legislature, including the Joint Budget Committee and the House Insurance and Commerce Committee.
Flowers explained that her work in the legislature requires that she learn why she’s doing the work; how and what kind of impact she may have on her constituents; how to develop relationships; how to see things differently and from other perspectives; and how to accept the challenges of being one among many talented women in politics, according to the news release.
Flowers continued by explaining politics as being “the study of who gets what, where, why, and how.” Politics in government, she said, is the same as politics in other areas, such as education, business, and even churches. Political leadership determines the condition of the country and the world, as is evidenced by the current pandemic.
She stressed that people’s voices and service matter now more so than ever and that people should encourage voting, running for political offices, serving on impactful boards, and working on campaigns, for example.
Responding to questions directed by Carla Martin, Flowers said of the “Stand Your Ground Bill,” which was passed by the House and Senate and signed into law by Gov. Asa Hutchinson, that people must empower people to know their rights, to protect themselves, to avoid traveling alone, and to call their legislators to inform them of how their constituents are thinking.
Secondly, Flowers said that one of her important political concerns is infrastructure, because that is one of the things that bring jobs to an area. The other two are an educated workforce and a healthy population.
Finally, in response to the question of whether she expects any possibility of a Democratic gubernatorial candidate in the next election, she said that there may be a few who have yet to announce their intentions.
The next two sessions of this series will host Rep. Kenneth Ferguson on March 25 and Sen. Stephanie Flowers on April 29.
The president of the Pine Bluff chapter of The Links is Yvonne Blevins.
Members of the National Trends and Services Facet are Kelly Bryant and Trammell Howell, co-chairs; and Gladys Benford, Carla Martin and Tenita Shannon-Gragg.