State Senator Ben Gilmore to join attorney general’s office; governor touts nearly $20M for teacher bonuses under LEARNS Act

State Senator Ben Gilmore is stepping down from the Arkansas Senate to join the Attorney General’s office as a senior advisor effective July 1, anchors said on the 6 p.m. newscast. The anchors said a special election will be required to fill his seat but that no date has yet been set, citing a spokesperson for the governor’s office.

In the same block of state headlines, the broadcast reported that Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said educators will receive nearly $20 million in merit pay through the LEARNS Act. The state Education Department was quoted as saying nearly 5,000 teachers would receive bonuses averaging about $3,300. The broadcast also said nearly 900 educators will receive more than $5,000 and that 80 teachers would get the maximum, but it gave an inconsistent total figure when referring to the maximum amount in the segment.

The newscast attributed the merit-pay push to state efforts to recruit, retain and recognize teachers, citing comments that investing in educators improves student performance. The anchors quoted Education Secretary Jacob Oliva on the LEARNS Act as part of the broader effort to support educators.

No legislative action, vote or special-election date was reported during the segment. Anchors said they had contacted a governor’s office spokesperson for timing of a special election and did not provide further detail on how the merit-pay amounts were allocated or what criteria determine the payments.