The Arkansas Legislature has begun a special session to address rising teacher health insurance premiums, prison overcrowding and an effort to restrict games offered by the state lottery.
The House and Senate convened Monday for the special session that they hope to wrap up within the minimum three days.
Gov. Mike Beebe last week ordered the session be held after being assured by legislative leaders there were enough votes to pass measures focused on the three issues.
Lawmakers are considering two bills aimed at averting a 35 percent premium hike set to hit thousands of public school employees this fall. They're also considering opening more prison beds to ease an influx of state inmates at local jails, and a proposal to prohibit the lottery from starting monitor-style games.