Greg Leding

Happy birthday to Senator Clarke Tucker of Little Rock.

Our thoughts go out to Congressman Womack and his family.

This week's newsletter: Arkansas ends its almost 60-year relationship with @pbs.org, and our state supreme court overturns a 74-year-old ruling.

Happy birthday to friend, House colleague, and my soon-to-be Senate successor Representative Denise Garner of Fayetteville.

Potato soup on the stove. Fire in the fireplace. Cold beer in hand. Bears-Packers on the TV, and Green Bay’s up by 11. My guy won the F1 title this morning. Not a bad Sunday.

Good evening.

Almost let this one get away: Happy birthday to my friend, former House colleague, one-time seatmate, and the guy who always knows what’s going on, the inimitable David Branscum.

Today's #GivingTuesday. During his talk up in Bentonville yesterday, President Obama talked about the importance of community-gathering spaces like museums and libraries. If you make a small gift today, keep Fayetteville Public Library in mind. #FayettevillePublicLibrary

Happy birthday to Representative Chad Puryear of Hindsville.

I can’t even begin to imagine the meltdown and screaming chyrons and endless, red-faced pundits had President Obama accused Republican lawmakers of “seditious behavior, punishable by death,” but that’s, like, just a Tuesday morning under this guy. (Or a Thursday, whatever.)

The Chicago Bears of Chicago—at least until the end of the day—are in sole possession of first place in the NFC North. Green Bay today struggled against the 2-8 Giants. I am not well.

We’ve been told DHS has received guidance from the USDA and that 100 percent of SNAP benefits will be available as of midnight tonight.

I’d like to take a moment to congratulate Representative Denise Garner, who, as of close of filing at noon today, is unopposed in her bid for the Senate seat I’ve had the honor of serving since 2019. Congratulations, Representative Garner.

Good afternoon.

Two-eighteen.

Good morning.

Arkansas's lung cancer rate (68) is more than 15 points higher than the national average and is topped only by Kentucky (84), West Virginia (76), and Mississippi (69). Find tobacco and smoking cessation resources at healthy.arkansas.gov.

Good morning. The US Supreme Court has rejected an effort to overturn its same-sex marriage ruling.

Fourth Hero Half Marathon in the books. Not sure why I don’t run it every year. Not my best time, not my worst. Better than I’d thought I’d be able to pull off going in. Finished fourth in my division, 84th out 328 overall. Thanks to all the volunteers, the Spark Foundation, and IAFF Local 2866.

It’s been three days, and Democratic candidates are still flipping seats.

Honored to have joined local leaders in Fayetteville Thursday to break ground on the first of eight projects to improve Highway 112 between Fayetteville and Bentonville.

How's everybody feeling this morning?

Here’s the newsletter I sent out this morning. If you’d like to get delivered right to your inbox, sign up at gregleding.com/newsletter.

Okay, for real this time, I'm gonna put out a newsletter tomorrow morning—my first since the session ended back in April. Keep an eye on your inbox. And if you aren't subscribed, sign up here: gregleding.com/newsletter

Every $1 in SNAP benefits spent generates $1.80 in economic activity. Just so happens that feeding hungry people is also the good and right thing to do.

The push to feed people isn’t exclusively partisan. At least 62 senators, including 15 Republicans, want to extend SNAP benefits through the federal government shutdown.

Among the 24 million Americans who could see their health care premiums skyrocket should the ACA subsidies expire are farmers, ranchers, small-business owners, and the self-employed. Senate Democrats don't want the subsidies to expire.

The number for the US Capitol switchboard is (202) 224-3121. That's an easy way to reach your two senators and your US House member. When you need to reach your state lawmakers, and you aren't sure what to do, there's a guide for that: gregleding.com/guide #ARpx

Louisiana—with its Republican governor and Republican legislature—is prepared to spend $150 million a month to continue SNAP benefits. My math says somewhere between $40 million and $45 million could get the job done here in Arkansas.

I'm grateful to people who take the time to contact their elected officials. A couple of things: 1. I have no role in the federal government shutdown. 2. The number for the U.S. Capitol switchboard is (202) 224-3121. 3. Republicans control both Congress and the White House.

My afternoon: – Bears-Ravens at noon – Nets-Spurs at 1:00p – Mexico City Grand Prix at 3:00p – Packers-Steelers tonight Not a bad Sunday. #GoPackGo  #GoSpursGo #mclaren

Our governor and secretary of state are appealing the judge’s ruling. This overwhelmingly-Republican Senate district deserves representation. Our Republican-led Senate deserves full membership. I hope Republican voters remember this. #ARpx

Happy birthday to Senator Steve Crowell of Magnolia.

Democrats in Congress want to keep ACA subsidies in place to keep health care costs from rising for more than 20 million Americans—and a lot of Republican and independent voters agree with them. Democrats also want to reverse cuts made to Medicaid to fund the Big Beautiful Bill.

Happy birthday to friend and House colleague Representative Tippi McCullough of Little Rock.