A Typical Day Isn’t Always Easy On Arkansas State Lawmakers

During the recent 2018 Midterm Elections there was much talk about the duties of our state elected officials. Most of the elected officials were bombarded with accusations of having a “soft job” by those never having held public office knowing nothing about their daily routine.

Most of the elected officials do not complain about their daily grind, while the Legislative Session is going on down in Little Rock. Fewer complain about the one to three days a week for committee meetings held in Little Rock after the session is over.

I asked for and was granted an hour-by-hour capsule of the day in the life of a State Representative from State Rep. Charlene Fite of House District 80.

Read along and see what a typical day at the Legislature is all about.

By State Rep. Charlene Fite

6 a.m.: My alarm clock goes off. I pick up my cell phone and discover 24 new text messages and 127 emails since 11 p.m. last night (Most of those emails were on the Convention of States Resolution: 43 For to 50 Against this proposed resolution.)

6:20-7:45 a.m. : Bible reading and prayer; get dressed while listening to NPR. I’ll listen to Fox and CNN tonight.

I walk over to the State Capitol from the Capitol Hill Apartment where I have a tiny room and a small bath during the session. A hotel room would be larger, nicer, but not as close to the state Capitol where I spend most of my day.

8-8:30 a.m.: I meet with Veterans Caucus to review bills.

8:30-9 a.m.: I return phone calls from constituents, including one who wants me to vote for “that bill about the thing.”

9 a.m.: I meet in my office with Department of Child and Family Services regarding three bills DCFS is asking me to sponsor. As one of the House Committee chairs, I have a private office on the Fourth Floor above the House Chamber.

9:45 a.m.: I am stopped in hallway by a new legislator who is discouraged. I offer the freshman optimism that things will get easier.

10-11:45 a.m.: I sit in on the House Judiciary Committee, listening to bills, asking questions, voting.

Noon: It is now lunch time. I eat in the basement cafeteria with my pages for the day (four area students).

1 p.m.: I go to 4th floor, where the House photographer takes pictures with me and the pages for the day.

1:15-1:30 p.m.: I sit at my desk in the House Chamber and answer emails.

1:30-3 p.m.: The House is in session, I am listening to bills and voting yea or nay

3 p.m.: After the House adjourns, I meet with Parliamentarian to discuss procedural question brought up in committee (Masons Rules of Order, not Roberts).

3:15 p.m.: I meet with Speaker of the House, Matthew Sheppard of El Dorado, to discuss Governor’s Budget proposal.

3:30 p.m.: I go downstairs and meet with governor’s staff to talk about the $3 million I’ve requested be added to Budget appropriation for Senior Centers.

4 p.m.: I go over across the street to Bureau of Legislative Affairs to hand in notes for bills I’m drafting.

4:20 p.m.: I get a call from House staff that we have visitors from China; return to House of Representatives to greet them in Chinese and offer a brief tour

5 p.m.: I return phone calls and answer emails.

6 p.m.: We go to dinner, nothing fancy I promise you, with other representatives and try not to spend the hour discussing bills. However, we cannot help ourselves and we discuss bills.

7-9 p.m.: I review bills coming before Aging, Children and Youth, Military Affairs committee tomorrow. I’m chairman, so I call or email all representatives and senators on the agenda for tomorrow to be sure they are planning to run the bill/ resolution listed and give them approximate time line. Then I review bills coming on House floor tomorrow

9:05 p.m.: I am back at the apartment and watch “Gunsmoke” with husband.

9:45 p.m.: I get phone call from Senator about a bill. So I’ll miss end of Gunsmoke. Matt Dillon didn’t need my help anyway.

10 p.m.: I get on my laptop and answer emails; listen to the news.

10:30 p.m.: I get ready for bed, read novel to relax.

11 p.m.: Lights out. At 6 a.m. tomorrow we will start all over again. MAYLON RICE IS A FORMER JOURNALIST WHO WORKED FOR SEVERAL NORTHWEST ARKANSAS PUBLICATIONS. HE CAN BE REACHED VIA EMAIL AT MAYLONTRICE@YAHOO.COM. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR.