Controversial bills are seeking signatures at the state's capitol, and many are wondering if lawmakers are accurately representing Arkansas constituents.
"What we're seeing is a result of the floodgates opening up after being dammed-up for many years," said Professor Hoyt Purvis with the University of Arkansas.
Guns in churches, bibles in schools and anti-abortion efforts are all topics of discussion.
"Many of these are issues that people feel very, very strongly about and they are determined that they are going to see the legislature take a stand."
But recent decisions, are making national headlines.
"Arkansas, what's going on there? What's going on with you guys?" said Rachel Maddow, Political TV Host for MSNBC.
"By and large, the election went for conservative and some cases very conservative Republicans. So, we're now seeing a reflection of that in what's happening in Little Rock," said Purvis.
History shows The Natural State votes red, but Purvis sees many bills receiving support from both sides.
"Certainly on some of these issues they're also getting support from Democrats... Democrats who are now in the minority for the first time in many, many, many decades."
But strong opinions are often heard louder than more moderate views.
"If you actually poll the public on each of these issues, the sentiment might not be nearly as strong as it looks it Little Rock."
So while issues passed in Arkansas are not radically different from surrounding states, the political climate is shifting and drawing attention to The Natural State.
"We're seeing that Arkansas is joining the ranks of some of these more conservative legislatures around the region."
But, Purvis feels the majority of the bills enacted will not stand the test of time and might actually be overturned in the courts based on legal grounds. So while we are seeing a political shift now, we may very well be seeing a shift in the opposite direction in a few months.
