Issues

Bruce believes in our right to bear arms, he feels that we should feel safe in our homes one of the reasons that we are safe is because the majority of us have guns in our homes and will defend our family and property. Gun rights do not apply to just hunters, but to all law-abiding citizens. Laws made to control access to guns by law-abiding citizens are UNCONSTITUTIONAL. These laws are about control, NOT guns.

Bruce believes now is the time to move forward with the I-49 project. We need to put people to work building this interstate highway and as the economy improves this district will be more attractive to businesses looking to expand. The completion of the I-49 through western Arkansas will be a huge stimulator of jobs not only during construction, but eventually it will bring better commerce to western Arkansas. The interchange of I-40 and I-49, and the access to the Arkansas River transportation system will form a commercial hub that could be one of the busiest in the nation.

We also need to grow our railroad system as well. This in turn will help all of us in Johnson, Logan, Scott and Sebastian counties.

Bruce is concerned about the economic stability of our rural hospitals all across the state. Rural hospitals are important to Arkansas for several reasons. First they are the initial site of treatment for many stroke and heart attack patients. This primary treatment is vital for patient care. Secondly our rural hospitals provide services to trauma patients before sending them on to larger hospitals for advanced care. Agriculture is one of the most dangerous professions. If rural hospitals are not in business, then trauma patients have to go much farther for initial treatment, rural hospitals are very important to our new statewide trauma system. Finally, rural hospitals provide some of the best paying jobs in rural America as well as a community cornerstone in rural areas.

Good jobs are just as important to helping schools and employers provide excellent educational opportunities. They both go together. Medium and smaller rural schools are very important for a sense of community in our small towns. I believe that the most effective government is government closest to the people. School decisions should be made by local school boards, not legislators in Little Rock and Washington D.C.

He further believes that children should be taught facts based on sound science and not theories based on politics or emotions.

Arkansas has one of the lowest rates of undergraduate degrees per capita in the US. We need to do everything we can to help Arkansans attend college and to further their education. Education allows for higher salaries and a higher standard of living for our families.

Bruce believes that our small and medium businesses are the big businesses of tomorrow and will work to provide support and incentives for them. He believes that with the right leadership in Arkansas that we can provide good jobs for our young people and they won't have to move to Texas or California to find a good job.

Bruce stated at his kick off rally that he is concerned about the condition of the Arkansas economy and the need to maintain and grow jobs in both rural and urban areas of the state. Job creation has to be our number one goal currently to help families.

Bruce believes in keeping our state government small. Especially In these though economic times, we can't afford more government. We should learn lessons from states like California that we can't be everything to everybody.

Bruce believes that there are no better stewards of the environment than farmers and ranchers. He supports the cooperative extension service and their efforts as they continue to support agriculture.

Bruce believes that immigration laws must be enforced. Illegal immigrates in Arkansas are taking advantage of our schools and healthcare system as well as taking jobs away from law abiding Arkansans.