Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus to Address Maternal Health Data Centers and Medicaid in El Dorado Meeting
The Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus is scheduled to meet in El Dorado to discuss maternal health, the growing data center industry, and Medicaid services. State Representative Aaron Pilkington will lead a discussion on data centers, addressing concerns such as electricity demand, water use, and economic impact. No legislative votes are planned for this meeting.
The Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus is set to convene in El Dorado on Thursday, September 10th, to engage in discussions concerning critical issues for the state: maternal health disparities, the burgeoning data center industry, and Medicaid-related services. The meeting will take place at South Arkansas College's East Campus Center for Workforce Development.
State Representative Aaron Pilkington of District 45 is slated to present on data centers. The discussion will delve into various implications of large-scale data center development across Arkansas, including electricity demand, utility infrastructure, water usage, potential tax revenue, and the broader economic impact on host communities. This topic is particularly relevant to Southeast Arkansas, where utilities are planning new generation and infrastructure to address increasing electricity needs, with Jefferson County already a site for major energy developments like Entergy Arkansas's planned Jefferson Power Station and a solar project.
Additionally, the caucus will address the Black maternal health crisis with Dr. Leticia Jones and doula trainer Sarita Hendrix, highlighting access to obstetric services in rural areas. Rachel Bunch, executive director of the Arkansas Health Care Association, will also speak on Medicaid and its impact on long-term care providers. The meeting, chaired by State Rep. Jay Richardson, involves lawmakers from both the Arkansas House and Senate, but no legislative votes are scheduled.