Spiked and had so many cases, we were very h flat. We had very little growth in our covid19 cases, and then in the last two weeks weve had a significant spike, taken in the northwest, arkansas, northwest part of the state which is one of our morehi high density growh areas of the state. So thats what were watching very carefully. We still have fewer than 200 deaths as a result of this virus here in arkansas. We had fewer than 200 hospitalized. We still have capacity. We still optimistic about it but it is a concern, whenever you see that significant spike there in northwest arkansas so were watching it very carefully. Obviously have to manage our way through this risk just what everyone else. Host as of yesterday, 448 new cases come six more deaths. What do you attribute those rises to . Guest thats what were digging into, and, of course, were doing more testing dramatically across the state. Our goal last month was to do 2 of the population which is 60,000 in one month. We actually beat that significantly, as in this month our goal is 120,000 which is 4 of the population. We are dramatically increasing our testing. That reflects, that gives us the identity of more cases, but obviously its more than that when you have an increase in hospitalization. That means more people are truly sick cousin this virus so they need the hospitalization. Its something that as to where theyre coming from, they are community cases. Some of them are in essential Industries Like food processing. We have a very large latino population in northwest arkansas, and thats ano significant challenge for us. We are enhancing our Spanish Speaking communication to the population, making sure they are unaware of the actions that they should take. Host theres a report as of monday state will be moving into a phase two of reopening. Can you attribute the recent rise of what youve seen any activities that were done in phase one . Guest thats a very, very important question and we watch that. Obviously just everyone else we do our contact tracing. We try to identify where someone might have contracted the virus, and we just only had a few cases that indicate if they been in a restaurant or had been in the barbershop. We have not seen any data to support a correlation between lifting the restrictions and increase in cases. We obviously will continue to watch that but we didnt see a correlation. We had already moved significantly into phase two with our opening, and so we went ahead statewide to open into phase two, which simply means the increased the capacity in our restaurants from onethird to twothirds and other venues are able to go to twothirds capacity with appropriate distancing. You still have the requirements for 60 between the tables, requirements for Wearing Masks by the staff. With those restrictions in place as well as the fact we havent seen any correlation, we went ahead and opened up those businesses again to give them a chance to survive and to build the economy back again. Host as you go into phase two project new numbers coming in, whats the Comfort Level you currently have about proceeding with that and what do you base that on . Guest i think it was the right decision, and what i base it on is the fact that we were already mostly into phase two. Secondly, the fact that these companies cant survive without having a greater capacity, and theres no correlation between the lifting of restrictions and the new cases that we have seen. So we continue to watch that every day, but right now i think we are what we need to be in terms of our restrictions that still exist. We are still pushing this is really where we have to go in our country and in arkansas, is weird to manage my way through this risk. We have to m be able to wear a mask, socially distance, perfect ourselves while the goal that i do our business and educate and go to school and go and enjoy the outdoors but we have to manage that risk. Thats what we are really pushing here through the education process so the consumer, the patron of businesses and individual can make good decisions. Thats what we are hoping for and thats what we are watching. Host our guest is with us and you canu ask them questions ask him questions. Government Asa Hutchinson our guest. In washington, d. C. , debate over whether more money should come from the federal government to states like yours to a assist at this time. What would be your message to congress . Guest i think theres some things karger can do to continue tot help us to recover economically. Arkansas, we have a balanced budget. Whenever we looked at this virus, weed knew we would have a budget shortfall. We tighten our belts honor state budget. We are managing a way to that and were not asking for congress to fill the state treasury again. The cares act funding has been very helpful to help with our hospitals, two up with some of the economic assistance programs that we have in the state. I think they need to be very cautious about the next round of funding. I know that we have not been hit as hard in arkansas as new york and new orleans and some other states, and theres a greater need their and im sympathetic to that and realize we need to address that because we have to lift our entire United States economy together. The that we can manage our way through it, we recognize we have to lift all of our states together if we are going to be able to come out of this strongly. And so i think they need to be careful about it. I think they need to do Little Things like extension of the timeframe for the increased funding on our medicaid reimbursements at the level they been doing because of this virus. They probably need to look at some targeted industry that really needs some help as well, but be on that i dont think we need the to help in our state budget. Host even too the point of the increased unemployment benefit one could get if they are out of a job because of coronavirus . Guest of course they have boosted those unemployment payments with the extra 600 a week, and that its been very helpful as people spend that money and the stimulus checks. So those of in the most impactful, and we are not going to argue if they decide to extend that but we want people to go back to work rather than being dependent upon that extra level of compensation. Our focus is getting people back tons work, and at some point tht can be actually a disincentive to going back to work. Theres a balance there and just be careful about it. I like where they are right now in terms of arkansas. Other states have much higher unemployment that we do. We have come the last report was 10 Unemployment Rate in arkansas. The National Average was over 14 . We will see where it goes but we want people to go back to work and i think were in a pretty good position from arkansas standpoint for the level of funding may have right now. Host before we let you take calls, using as well as others across United States death ofecause of the george floyd. Specifically, what are you seeing in arkansas and what do you think is the best approach went forward in addressing these issues . Guest we have seen protest arkansas, and its quite a phenomenon. I mean, what happened here but across the nation and then it traveled across the globe in Many International cities, and so first of all, we all have great heartache because of what we saw with george floyd and is terrible death, his racial killing their in minneapolis. As a people rightfully expressed their outrage here. We had peaceful protests. There was some destruction of property that we brought in lawenforcement and we stop that very quickly. But the vast majority approaches were very peaceful. And i met with the protesters and impress with thes usefulne, and if such a commitment to change and anwi earnest desire o see that. So we set up a working group, a task force to look at the future of Law Enforcement, and we brought on some of these young activists that are committed to seeing change and better standards and accountability. But we also have that balance seasoned Law Enforcement personnel, because we are not interested in defunding the police or any agenda like that. Important role of public safety, but what these protests have brought forth, rightfully so, is the need for more accountability, the need for better training, and better communication between the Law Enforcement and the community to make sure that we dont have any racial prejudice being manifested in Law Enforcement. Those are good object is were trying to pursue. Host one of the arguments is to take a portion of the police budget, maybe turn them into putting more social workers, she may be people on. Thats something you wouldnt endorse . Guest those are fair levels of discussion. For example, the issue of Community Policing that the police comes from the neighborhood, they are in the neighborhood, they know people. They know each other, and i think that is always a beneficial practice and i think we have to look at what are the barriers to accomplishing that quacks how can we support that to greater extent . That obviously improves the communication. In terms of the funding issue,i know in many states, including arkansas, we are not paying our Law Enforcement officers enough. I think your to look at how i we recruiting them, what is the quality of talent, how can we enhance their professionalism. If you put more requirements on and you put the more risk, you need to compensate them for that so that hasou to be part of the mix. Obviously, specific areas of budget, its fair discussions as to whether its getting allocated in the right way. Are we putting too much in swat teams where it should go to more Community Policing . Those are fair and appropriate discussions that i expect to take place. Host we have calls lined up for you. First one is from arkansas. This is janet. Thank you for waiting. Go ahead call back good morning, mr. Hutchinson. Normally im very proud of the job you have been doing. However, i have two bones to to pick with you. Number one iser your comment tht ive heard more than was where you excused the teenagers are bad behavior because they are teenagers, or any young people. It is the responsibility of an adult [inaudible] not to excuse the behavior because they are young. My second note is im tired of hearing people say, oh, were taking care of you. No. Youre not taking care of me. I have been confined to my home for three months. I have been asked my mailbox three times, and nobody is taking responsibility for keeping me here. I kept me here. Ive had a hard time of cleaning items i needed because their limited to want at the grocery store. If i ask my neighbors daughter, i have to wait [inaudible] host youre breaking up a little bit so we wont leave comments there and let the government address those. Go ahead tricky thank you, janet. And on your first point about teenagers being responsible, certainly if you are speaking of them doing damage during a protest, absolutely they should be responsible and act appropriately. By large in the last protest the war. If youre speaking of in the coronavirus, you know, we want people to socially distance. We want them to wear a mask when they cant socially distance and be physically six feet apart. Thats what avoids the spread of the virus. It is a greater challenge with teenagers and young people because they do feel invincible, but we do what then to act responsibly and think of others and think of the parents or grandparents they might have to associate with. In terms of your life, i think you make some good decisions about being careful inn giving out during this time. But as you know, and youre absolutely right, we didnt put a shelter in place for in arkansas. We did make anybody stay home. Thats the freedom of choice that you make. We encouraged people to stay home ifnc they are vulnerable or elderly or have risk i getting out,e but it will makes their n decisions, and applaud the neighbors that help each other. Thank you for your comments. Host th linda isnt edgemont arkansas, forgets. Go ahead. Caller yes. Id like to congratulate Asa Hutchinson. We had bill clinton and then we had way over to terms with mike huckabee. We havewe Sarah Huckabee sanders who is supportive of Asa Hutchinson. He has a balanced budget. Our policeman, the risk their lives every day. In fact, we have lost many policemen, and its so sad. As far as david doran, he was black. He was attacked by seven black people, and that was on video. Dott you think theyre going to show that . Its awful. They are not showing that side, while youre on with our guest, what would you like to ask him . Caller t i think that people that destroy the st. Johns church, they need to pay for it. People that are offended by our wonderful president holding up a bible, oh, thats awful. The only thing i have Asa Hutchinson, he supports president trump. I support Asa Hutchinson. Host thanks,ho call or tragedy lets just talk about the proper aspect of that, and no one who believes in the rule of law can take any comfort in whenever we see property being destroyed, windows being smashed in my businesses, and we put a a stop to that in arkansas. We did bring out more enforcement resources to support our d local police, and we realized very quickly at the protesters, 99 of them, wanted to protest peacefully but we did have a violent element they came in. We had a journalist who was beat up. Thats what we want to do is protect theul protesters and the right of Free Expression but also protect the property. I think we accomplished that balance and i think thats what the call is trying to reflect. Host mike in arkansas. You are on. Go ahead. Caller okay, thank you. First off, im 15 years a resident of mina, arkansas. I came from california rives and mayor of the city. Nowhere nowhere in 50 states is there a50 better governor then a hutchinson. I just want to put that out there and other governors should follow his lead. I really feel that this man should beld in washington, unfortunately. I think he was there before but he needs to stay home here and look after us, and hes done one heckuva job. Host censure on within, do you have a question for him . [inaudible] nope. I just got a statement to make a guess im proud of this guy. Host okay, thanks. Guest let me say thank you, and for all of the viewing audience, mina, arkansas, is one of the most beautiful part in our state. We have a state park there, its a rural area but Great Community and thats what people from california actually come and enjoy our state youre glad to have you there. Host you served in congress. What do you think about the current call by Speaker Pelosi to remove some statues that of history in the Confederate Army . Guest this is going to be an ongoing discussion locally, in our state and across the nation. Its a discussion thats important to have. We have to think about what we want to reflect our history, was important to us and also reflect whats going to represent our future as well. In arkansas we had a combined Martin Luther king day and robert e. Lee day. Under my leadership we separated those to give dr. Martin luther king, jr. His own day of celebration. Those are things that are important to the Minority Community but really to everyone, particularly whenever somebody like dr. King has given so much, given his whole life for the cause of freedom and equal rights. And then we have a debate about the flag and out its constructed and whether the fact that one star represents the confederacy, that arkansas was once a part of, and thats something i supported changing. Theres going to be debates about monuments as well. No one wants to, cant rewrite history. We have to learn from history but i think the proper place for the monuments in our current life is a fair debate. We are going to have a discussion in arkansas as well as across the country. Host i correct me if im wrong, but under your ministry you saw couple of statues change out in the capital. What led to that . Guest thats right. We have two individuals the represent arkansasha in our nations capital, every stateres that and the general assembly, signed the legislation, change our statues to reflect one of them being a civil rights icon, which is daisy gatson bates. One of the mentors of the little rock nine in the Civil Rights Movement will be arkansas is representative and the United States capital along with johnny cash, one of our music icons. Those kind to changes we had a debate on in arkansas, and we decided that we wanted that civil rights hero, heroin, to represent arkansas in the image we present across the country in our nations capital. I like the change and i know that we will continue that discussion because weve got others we just had a daughters of the confederacy moved one of the statutes that was on the centerpiece of the lawn of a county square over to another location. Those changes will continue to be made as we have discussions. Host for governor Asa Hutchinson, ladedah in minneapolis. Good morning, good morning. I had two questions. The first one with respect to the [inaudible] the covid cases are going up. I went online and theres the New York Times shows statistics only, only data. It says the reason theyre going up is because they are testing more, checking prisons, doing meatpacking but the media is not representing this. I didnt see any increase in deaths in all of the states, so i wanted toas know why arkansass going up and why they are not being more clear because now the liberal media is attacking us in calling this the second way. The second thing is with respect to people who have gone to [inaudible] the numbers so whats not your opinion. Numbers about states that lockdown and those that have not and they basically have fared almost exactly the same. Can you please give me your perspective on that . Thank you. Guest first of all when this is all over with we are going to andur were going to measure the right judgments, the wrong judgments. This is unprecedented what we are going through. In terms of the reason for the increase in cases, you are right. Much of that is so because we are testing more, dramatically testing more. But the hospitalizations, its something that somebody goes in the hospital is really sick. Our hospitalizations have gone up, and that is reflecting the fact that the virus is making people feel out there. We are watching that carefully. Thats a great concern. It reminds us how serious this is. We have one of the lowest death rates in the country. I dont take that for granted. Im not sure i can tell you all the reasons for that, but those are the best measuring statistics is hospitalizations and death because the number of cases really shows that youre e detecting what is out there in your state. Thats exactly what we want to do, because then we can trace it down and diminish the spread of that virus. That is our strategy in that the hospitalization issue is primarily that we want to make sure with adequate resources to treat the patients and we do right now. Host we will hearr from richard in elkins, arkansas, good morning. I have a comment and a couple of questions. I live here in elkins arkansas under going to handle all the time, and you go to lowes or something, i mean, hardly anyone is wearing a mask. Anywhere i cany see. Im going to be tested to more because im going in for, see if i need a stint, in washington regional in fayetteville. Im scared as heck. I dont know if the hospital is safe. But heres my questions. I havent gotten the stimulus check or anything. I mean, i cant even get my federal back and i sent that in in march. I mean, you cant call in what and government. No oneca answers the phone. Its all automated. I know youre just governor of arkansas, but man, you know, its really rough here. My second question, as far as the protests go, i know youre just the governor here, that youve got connections. Where is the 20 the 20dollart started this whole thing . Doesnt even exist or was that poor guy set up . Host thanks, caller. Okay. St i mean, first of all in terms of the wearing of the mask, i hope youre setting a good example. It sounds like you are. Most of the businesses are Wearing Masks and putting the right Safety Measures in place. The public needs to be very cognizant of that, the importance of it. In washington regional hospital, theyre doing a great job. Im sure they had some covid patient in there but theyre also doing elective surgery which we have moved a back to, d somewhat you to have a lot of confidence in that. On the stimulus check, i encourage you to call the congressman. They can look into that. Host before that you got onetime users as head as head of thee Drug Enforcement agenc. Are you surprised by the number of states that allow Recreational Marijuana and that you change your position on that . Guest towell, no, i have changed my position on it, but in arkansas we have Medicinal Marijuana in our state has been approved. We dont have recreational use. Multiple statess have moved towards that, and as long as theres an inconsistent policy, federal and state, or inconsistent messages, thats probably going to continue to expand. I think it is problematic and so i understand they need to have that as medicine, but whenever he goes to recreational use, from my standpoint, i dont think thats a good idea. What those are choices that the federal government actually given the states at this point, but its not ideal from my standpoint, governor Asa Hutchinson joined as, republican of arkansas. Thank you for your time. We really appreciate it. Guest . Appreciate it. Mark warner and democratic dc oxman Gerald ConnollyHolding Virtual town hall discussion with voters to talk about Police Reform and covid19. Live coverage at 1 p. M. Eastern here on cspan2. Comic up tonight, essential workers testified before a House Committee of the issues theyre facing to keep hospitals, transportation and Food Production going during the track by pandemic. Committee members want to know what the federal government can do to help. You can see the answers tonight starting at eight eastern. Binge watch booktv this summer. Every saturday evening at 8 p. M. Eastern set and i and i watch r favorite nonfiction authors. Starting saturday with pillage prizewinning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin author of eight histories and wellknown for her work on american president s especially team of rivals. Next saturday as a feature New York Times bestselling author david maraniss. Then to watch tv all summer on cspan2. Binge watch. Cspan has unfiltered coverage of congress, the white house, the supreme court, and Public Policy events. You can watch all of cspans Public Affairs programming on television, online or listen on our free review at and be part of the National Conversation through cspans daily washington journal programs or through our social media feeds. Cspan, created by americas cabletelevision companies, as a Public Service and brought to you today by your television provider. The u. S. Said it is working on a permanent source of funding for maintenance and National Parks and other public land. With the money coming from royalties on mining or drilling leases on federal property. Senators have negotiating amendments to the Great American outdoors act and plan to finish work on the legislation next week. Cspan2 will have live coverage of that debate. Host thanks for joining us. Guest thank you. Host tell us about the efforts coming from Speaker Pelosi. Guest Speaker Nancy Pelosi is renewing the call for removing a number of statues in the National Statuary halll collection that honor people who either fought for thegh confederacy or otherwise involved with the confederacy. The most notable name on the list the people who are actually honored in the capital with the statue from the collection of statues where each state gets to send to people would probably be jefferson davis, who was the confederate president during the war. Rat is basically the leadership in the senate and the house a Administration Committee in the house that wants to remove the statute anyway. What we have heard from republicans at least, Kevin Mccarthy and mitch mcconnell