Greg Leding

Greg Leding (born April 10, 1978) is a member of the Arkansas Senate representing District 4 since January 14, 2019. Leding previously served in the Arkansas House of Representatives, representing the 86th district in Fayetteville, the state's third-largest city, which includes Fayetteville High School, the West Dickson Street Commercial Historic District, the Fayetteville Historic Square, the Washington-Willow Historic District, and the University of Arkansas, the state's largest university. Fayetteville is located in Washington County.

Greg Leding
Leding addresses a Washington County Democrats rally in Springdale, Arkansas, in July 2016
Member of the Arkansas Senate
from the 4th district
Assumed office
January 2019
Preceded byUvalde Lindsey
Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives
from the 86th district
In office
January 2011 – January 2019
Preceded byLindsley Armstrong Smith
Succeeded byNicole Clowney
Minority Leader of the Arkansas House of Representatives
In office
2012–2014
Personal details
Born (1978-04-10) April 10, 1978
Springdale, Arkansas, USA
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)
Emily Ironside (m. 2013)
Children1
ResidenceFayetteville, Arkansas
Alma materUniversity of Arkansas
WebsiteOfficial website

A lifelong resident of Arkansas, Leding graduated from Springdale High School and holds a bachelor's degree from the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas.[1]

First elected to the Arkansas General Assembly in 2010, Leding, a member of the Democratic Party, served as Minority Leader during his second term (2012-2014).[2]

The 91st General Assembly

The 91st General Assembly convened on Monday, January 9, 2017. Leding filed a number of bills, including:

  • HB1014 (now Act 666), the Teacher's Classroom Investment Deduction,[3] to allow Arkansas teachers to claim up to a $250 deduction on their state taxes for out-of-pocket expenses for their classrooms
  • HB1009,[4] part of a package of ethics bills sponsored by Arkansas Democrats. The bill would prevent a member of the General Assembly from forming more than one approved political action committee (PAC)
  • HB1395,[5] a bill to provide a tax credit to small businesses that hire veterans
  • HB1509[6] (now Act 1013), the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act, a measure to protect student athletes
  • HB1592[7] (now Act 543), a bill to ensure insurance coverage parity for oral chemotherapeutics
  • HB1624,[8] the Right to Wages Earned Act, a bill to protect from workers from wage theft
  • HB1625,[9] the Right to Know Your Pay Act, a bill to protect both workers and employers during wage theft disputes
  • HB1758[10] (now Act 962), a bill to help protect firefighters from cancer
  • HB1797,[11] a bill to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the Arkansas Civil Rights Act of 1993
  • HB1850, the Strong Families Act,[12] a bill to provide a tax credit to employers that voluntarily offer a paid family leave policy
  • HB2000[13] (now Act 1028), a bill to protect job applicants from erroneous information found during background checks
  • HB2022[14] (now Act 708), a bill regarding insurance coverage for breast ultrasounds and digital tomosynthesis
  • HB2088,[15] a bill to provide enhanced penalties for hate crimes
  • HB2124,[16] a bill to eliminate the asset test for long-term care Medicaid within the Arkansas Medicaid program for veterans
  • HCR1003,[17] a House Concurrent Resolution to designate Arkansaurus fridayi as the official state dinosaur of Arkansas

Arkansas General Assembly

Committee Assignments for the 91st General Assembly

Co-Chair

  • Higher Education Subcommittee of Arkansas Legislative Council

Member

  • Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC)
  • House Committee on Revenue and Taxation
  • House Income Taxes - Personal and Corporate Subcommittee
  • House Committee on Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative, and Military Affairs
  • House Aging Subcommittee

Legislative Work

During his first term, Leding passed The Jason Flatt Act, a measure to reduce youth suicide in Arkansas.[18] In his second term, during which he served as the House Minority Leader, Leding worked with Republicans and Democrats to pass a bipartisan package of bills to prevent human trafficking in Arkansas.[19] Other bipartisan legislative achievements in 2013 include The Landowner Notification Act, a measure to protect landowners living in the Fayetteville Shale, co-sponsored by Senator Jason Rapert (R-Conway),[20] as well as bipartisan legislation to better protect the Buffalo National River, co-sponsored by Representative Kelley Linck (R-Flippin).[21] In 2015, bills passed by Leding included the Student Online Personal Information and Protection Act[22] and a bipartisan bill to help the families of firefighters who die of job-related cancers.[23] Other legislative efforts have included a 2015 bipartisan measure to end juvenile life without parole, co-sponsored by Senator Missy Irvin (R-Mountain View); efforts in 2015 to address privacy issues,[24] establish the Arkansas New Jobs Training Program,[25] and add the words "sexual orientation, gender identity" to the Arkansas Civil Rights Act of 1993;[26] efforts in 2013, 2015, 2017 to establish paid family leave[27] and to address Arkansas's landlord-tenant laws (including its lack of any warranty of habitability[28] and its criminal eviction statutes); and efforts in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017 to address wage theft.[29][30] Leding is also working with Arkansas veterans to secure hyperbaric oxygen therapy as means of treatment for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury.[31]

In August 2015, Leding launched two interim studies, one concerned with student debt in Arkansas[32] and one examining sexual assault on the state's college and university campuses.[33] Final reports for each are due in July 2017.

Caucuses

Leding is a member of the Arkansas Legislative Hunger Caucus, the Arkansas Veterans Caucus, the Arkansas Education Caucus, the Arkansas Sportsmen's Caucus, and the Arkansas Aerospace Caucus.[34]

National Conference of State Legislatures

From August 2012 until August 2014, Leding served as a vice chair of the Natural Resources and Infrastructure Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).[35] He was elected to the NCSL Executive Committee in August 2014.[36] In May 2015, he was named to the NCSL Legislative Task Force on Military and Veterans Affairs.[37] In May 2016, he was named to the NCSL Task Force on International Relations.[38] In January 2017, Leding was named to the NCSL Foundation Board.

National Institute for Civil Discourse

In 2015, Leding became involved with the National Institute for Civil Discourse, a nonpartisan center for advocacy, research, and policy, and its Next Generation program for state legislators.

Elections

State House

Leding first ran for the Arkansas House of Representatives in 2010, defeating J. W. "Bill" Ramsey in the Democratic Primary by a margin of 61 percent to 39 percent.[39] He won re-election in 2012, defeating Republican Brian Scott by a margin of 61 percent to 39 percent.[40] Leding ran unopposed in 2014[41] and 2016.

State Senate
Senator Leding's seat in the Senate Chamber

On Tuesday, June 13, 2017, Leding announced his candidacy for Arkansas Senate District 4.[42] The incumbent, Senator Uvalde Lindsey (D-Fayetteville), had previously announced his retirement. The election was Tuesday, November 6, 2018, and Leding was the winner.

Awards and recognition

Among the awards Leding has received during his time in office are the Citizens First Congress "Champion Legislator" award (2011), the Arkansas Support Network "Community Distinction Award" (2011), the Arkansas Kids Count Coalition "Rising Star" award (2011), the Northwest Arkansas Workers' Justice Center "Prophetic Leader" award (2013), the National Association of Social Workers (Arkansas Chapter) "Elected Public Official of the Year" award (2013), the Northwest Arkansas Tobacco-Free Coalition "Smoke-Free Advocate of the Year" award (2013), the Arkansas Advanced Energy Association "Champion of Advanced Energy" award (2013), the Public Policy Panel "Champion Legislator" award (2013), the Arkansas Municipal League "Distinguished Legislator" award (2013), the AARP "Distinguished Legislator" award (2013), the first Washington County Democrats "John Logan Burrow Democratic Leadership" award (2014), the Kids Count "Legislative Leadership Award for Juvenile Justice" (2015), the Kids Count "Legislative Leadership Award for Family Economic Security" (2015), the Arkansas State Firefighters Association "Legislative Chair Award" (2015), the Arkansas State Employees Association "Outstanding Legislator" award (2015), the Community Clinic of Northwest Arkansas "Community Health Center Champion" award (2015), the Arkansans for Gifted and Talented Education (AGATE) "Presidential Award" (2016), and the Graduate Student Congress of the University of Arkansas "Civic Ally of the Year" award (2016).[43]

In January 2013, Talk Business Arkansas listed Leding among the "Top 10 Legislators to Watch".[44] In May 2013, Talk Business Arkansas listed Leding among the "Talk Business Arkansas' Top 10 State Legislators".[45]

In January 2017, Leding was again named to Talk Business Arkansas' list of legislators to watch for the 2017 regular session.[46]

Boards

Leding joined the Hope Cancer Resources Foundation Board of Directors in February 2015 and the Fayetteville Adult Education Center Advisory Board in June 2016.[47]

Personal life

The oldest of three children, Leding and his wife, Emily Ironside, have one daughter. They live in Fayetteville.

See also

List of members for the 91st General Assembly of the Arkansas House of Representatives

References
  1. http://www.arkansashouse.org/district/86
  2. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2015/2015R/Pages/MemberProfile.aspx?member=Leding
  3. "Bill Information". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  4. "Bill Information". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  5. "Bill Information". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  6. "Bill Information". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  7. "Bill Information". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  8. "Bill Information". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  9. "Bill Information". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  10. "Bill Information". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  11. "Bill Information". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  12. "Bill Information". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  13. "Bill Information". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  14. "Bill Information". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  15. "Bill Information". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  16. "Bill Information". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  17. "Bill Information". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved 2017-01-21.
  18. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB1778
  19. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2013/2013R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB1581
  20. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2013/2013R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB2001
  21. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2013/2013R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB2252
  22. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2015/2015R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB1961
  23. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2015/2015R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB1274
  24. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2015/2015R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB1691
  25. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2015/2015R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB1948
  26. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2015/2015R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB1950
  27. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2015/2015R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB1275
  28. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2015/2015R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB1486
  29. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2015/2015R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB1276
  30. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2015/2015R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB1277
  31. http://5newsonline.com/2016/05/27/veteran-requests-state-funding-for-hyperbaric-oxygen-treatment/
  32. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/Interim%20Study%20Proposal%20and%20Resolution/ISP-2015-139.PDF
  33. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/Interim%20Study%20Proposal%20and%20Resolution/ISP-2015-146.PDF
  34. https://www.facebook.com/gregleding/info/?tab=page_info&edited=screenname
  35. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2013-11-28.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  36. http://www.ncsl.org/aboutus/executive-committee/members.aspx
  37. http://www.ncsl.org/ncsl-in-dc/task-forces/task-force-on-military-and-veterans-affairs.aspx
  38. http://www.ncsl.org/ncsl-in-dc/task-forces/task-force-on-international-relations.aspx
  39. http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2010/may/19/leding-defeats-ramsey/
  40. http://www.co.washington.ar.us/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=4720
  41. http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2013/nov/01/fayettevilles-leding-running-re-election/
  42. "Leding to run for Senate District 4 seat". NWADG.com. Retrieved 2017-06-18.
  43. https://www.facebook.com/gregleding/info/?tab=page_info&edited=screenname
  44. http://talkbusiness.net/2013/01/top-10-legislators-to-watch/
  45. http://talkbusiness.net/2013/05/talk-business-arkansas-top-10-state-legislators/
  46. "'Ones To Watch' in the 2017 legislative session - Talk Business & Politics". Talk Business & Politics. 2017-01-11. Retrieved 2017-01-21.
  47. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregleding?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile
Preceded by
Lindsley Armstrong Smith		 Arkansas House of Representatives
from District 86

Greg Leding
2010–2019

Succeeded by
Nicole Clowney
Preceded by
Uvalde Lindsey		 Arkansas Senate
District 5

Greg Leding
2019–Present

Succeeded by
Incumbent
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.