House Caucus

Call the House order in accordance with House rule ten we are convene to elect the Speaker designate for the ninety fourth General Assembly. before we recite the pledge of allegiance today I invite member staff pressing guests in the gallery to stand and join me in a moment of silent prayer and reflection to honor the life of Little Rock journalist and filmmaker Brent Renault as many of you know Mister NO was on assignment in Ukraine when he was shot and killed this past weekend. let us now honor his legacy and his contributions to our state and to our country by observing this moment of silent prayer and reflection and then to remain standing to be let in. Pledge of allegiance by representative gene. Please join me in a moment of silent prayer. Thank you. Members please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow button prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Cats about Mister Clerk. With ninety four president The chair sees a quorum are there any request for leave. Represent McCollum for what purpose leave you're recognized leave a representative garner is leave granted for representative Garner. Representative Ken Ferguson for what purpose. You're recognized. Is leave granted for representative David Whitaker. Leave is granted. Representative Jett for what purpose leave. Leave for the representative Ferguson is leave granted for representative. Ferguson the leave is granted representative Warren for what purpose. You're recognized leave for representive correct Christiansen and laid granite for representative Christiansen. Leave grant. Representative love for what purpose leave. You're recognized leave a representative Murdock is leave wrecked branded FOR representative Murdock. Representative McCollum for what purpose point of personal privilege you're recognized. Good afternoon colleagues this morning as Republican caucus leader I met with the majority caucus and I found out how the best way to lead them in this moment would be and the best way to lead them in this moment is to respectfully withdraw my nomination for Speaker doesn't mean so I would like to ask you all to accept That request in this moment which is to withdraw my nomination for Speaker designating. Finally I just want to say and I truly believe this moving forward I do see this as a moment to unify to work together in good grace and good faith as we work together for the people's business of Arkansas thank you. Representive wing for what purpose. Mr Speaker in light of this development hi Mister chairman I move that the house of representatives suspend the formal election process as provided for in house rule ten A. and that we as a body elected by a voice vote the honorable Matthew J. Shepherd as Spieker designate for the ninety fourth Arkansas General Assembly. The motion to spend the form election process in house rule ten A. as a proper motion is not debatable all in favor two of the motion to spend rules say aye. Opposed nay. The motion carries. Represent when you're recognized. I now move that Speaker Matthew J. Shepherd be elected Speaker designate for the ninety fourth Arkansas General Assembly. That's proper motion the question before the House is the election of Matthew J. Shepherd as Spieker designate of the ninety fourth General Assembly all in favor say aye. Opposed say nay the eyes have it the motion is adopted let the record reflect that motion received more than fifty one votes. Mr Speaker you're recognized. Mr chairman. Members of the House it's an honor to once again stand before you today. I am. Honored and humbled by the trust and confidence that you have once again shown in me in electing me to service Speaker of the house for the upcoming ninety first General Assembly. As I as I always do I'd like to thank my family like to thank my wife Allie. back coming elder rated she probably is not watching this she's teaching kindergarten. and my kids the library Kate and Libby along with my parents and other family members for their support and their sacrifice that they've given me that is allowed me to serve here with you in Little Rock and as I always say I recognize that each one of you have friends and family members that pay a similar price and make similar sacrifices so that we can serve. I'd like to thank the House staff for their tireless work and dedication. Over this past fiscal session and the dedication and work that they provide the House each and every day. Finally I'd like to thank you once again for the trust and confidence that you've shown in me in the past and now again is your Speaker. And I further thank each one of you who is work together with me during the past term for the betterment of our state. In preparing for my remarks today. Just as I did two years ago I look back at what I stated when I first ran for Speaker when I was first elected Speaker in two thousand eighteen. And I reviewed the values that at the time I hope to instill in the House. Not that I believe it's always helpful and useful to go back and re evaluate and look at what were what were the values that I hope to bring to the house. And see are we accomplishing those things. First I wanted this to be a body that displays great character. To the best of my ability. And god willing I've tried to the best of my ability to to be a man of my word to be truthful to conduct myself in a manner that is consistent with my faith and the office that I hold. And I believe it's important. It was even more important in two thousand eighteen because as many of you know the headlines at that time were riddled with the misdeeds of some of our former members. But I'm proud of the character that the house in each of its members showed as we have worked over the past number of years. Second I wanted the house to display the civility and professionalism. Understanding that we're going to disagree from time to time. Third I wanted wanted to prioritize open lines of communication. And I wanted to make sure that we did our conducted our business efficiently. That we would take the time to do the people's business that was necessary that we wouldn't rush but we would likewise not unnecessarily prolong the working there. I was hopeful that we could work hard to find a consensus where it can be found and that when we couldn't. And when we disagree that we can do so in a civil and professional manner. And finally. I wanted to strive to do that which is in the best interest of the people of Arkansas. And in my opinion. I submit to you today that we as a house because it but it each of those values. It hasn't been easy but I believe that we have. But we must continue to work to do the the work in the best interest of the people of the house and let me just say that as we've exhibited those values we didn't just do so in some abstract way I believe we've done so in a very tangible way. Whether it was completing a successful regular session in which many members were able to pass legislation. Where it was expanding live streaming to make sure that the vast majority of our committees are now available an archived online. Or whether it's the fact that as Speaker and with your help and support we cut our budget. Four years ago for FY twenty we cut it by fifteen percent then we cut it for ten percent we cut it again for another ten percent and then we cut it just the other day another five percent. We broaden the appointments in the assignments among the members of the House. Prior to covid we actually had reduced our overall per diem. And certainly I'm hopeful that we can as we move out of COVID that were able to get back to a truly efficient operation of the House. And then. We've operated we've had two successful legislative sessions off site but then also a regular session right here in the capital in the midst of a pandemic. We've also made the RSA process as transparent as it ever been in the history of the House. And so those are accomplishments they're not just accomplishments for me their accomplishments for each one of you and I believe those are accomplishments that we can be very proud of the accomplishments that we can attack out to our constituents and to the people of Arkansas across the four corners of our state. And why we've accomplished much in the past. There's still much more to be done both as we finish the ninety third General Assembly. And as we look forward to the ninety fourth. In that regard I look forward to working with each of you. With the House with the entire legislature as the state emerges from covid. As we prepare for a new. Administration. And as I touched on earlier I look forward to hopefully leading us back to a point where we operate in a truly efficient manner just as we were prior to the COVID pandemic. And then finally. In an era of hyper partisanship I believe that we still well being members of our respective political parties. That we still can maintain a House focus not on what divides us. But what unites is for the betterment of the citizens of Arkansas. I believe we've done a good job to this point. But that is something that we cannot take for granted but must continually work on and continually be dedicated to. In closing. Let me just say I'm always leery of individuals who wax about their love of an institution. But I must say. That over my time as Speaker of the house that I truly have come to love the house of representatives and what it represents for the people of Arkansas. I love the camaraderie I love the debate. I even love the challenges that are presented most of the time. Most of the time. But it is because of my love of the house in my belief in the house and the pride of knowing that we have done things the right way that I can confidently stand here today and as I have stated throughout my time as Speaker. State once again that I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve and that I do truly stand ready to work with all who are willing. So that we may continue to work in the best interest of those who matter most the people of Arkansas. Thank you once again for your support may god bless this House and may God bless the great state of Arkansas. There being no further business this caucus of the Arkansas house of representatives is adjourned.