Senator Shane Broadway is completing his second term representing Saline and Pulaski Counties in the Arkansas State Legislature. Serving in the Arkansas General Assembly, Broadway has worked closely with Governor Mike Beebe and his colleagues to create opportunities for economic development, to improve our educational system, and to provide tax cuts to Arkansans.

Shane is running for Lieutenant Governor to work with Governor Beebe to keep jobs here—and to bring new ones to Arkansas.  At the same time, he wants to work with small businesses and those who seek to promote our state’s entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and innovation to keep Arkansas moving forward.

Shane is the youngest of six children born to the late Charles D. Broadway, a World War II Navy Veteran, and Bertha Broadway, a Wynne native.  Shane is a lifelong resident of Bryant.  He graduated a Bryant High School Hornet in 1990 and then attended Arkansas State University, in Jonesboro, where his fellow students elected him President of the Student Body.  At ASU, Shane earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, and received the R.E. Lee Wilson Award, the highest honor given to a graduating senior at ASU.

Shane met Debbie Tableriou of North Little Rock while volunteering during the 1995 legislative session. After a long-distance relationship—Debbie was working for Arkansas Congressman Ray Thornton—the couple was engaged at President Bill Clinton’s Arkansas State Society party at the White House in 1995.  They were married in the rotunda of the State Capitol on March 30, 1996.  Two days later, Shane filed to run for his first term in the State Legislature.

Shane served three terms in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1997-2002.  In 2001—during the 83^rd General Assembly—his fellow legislators elected him the youngest Speaker of the House in the history of Arkansas.  While in the House of Representatives, Shane placed a priority on creating economic development opportunities that would bring jobs to the state.  He has also been at the forefront of the legislature’s push to continue improving Arkansas’s educational system, serving on the Education Committee every term except when he was Speaker of the House.

In 2002, Shane was elected to the Arkansas State Senate and was re-elected to a second term in 2006.  He decided to run for Lieutenant Governor to continue what he considers a high honor—serving the people of Arkansas—by creating job opportunities and encouraging entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation.  He currently serves on the Arkansas Association of two-year colleges Entrepreneurial Advisory Committee.

During the 87th General Assembly, Shane serves as Vice-Chairman of the Joint Energy Committee.  Broadway is a member of the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee, member of the Joint Budget Committee and the Legislative Council.  For six years Broadway also served as Co-Chair of the Academic Facilities Oversight Committee, and was also a Charter member of the Arkansas Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus.

Shane previously served as Chairman of the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC)—comprising members from 15 southern legislatures—which fosters intergovernmental cooperation among member states.  In addition, he has served as chairman of the SLC’s Education Committee.  Governor Beebe appointed Broadway to the Southern Regional Education Advisory Board in 2007.

Shane started his first job at age 5, working with his mother and father cleaning the Bryant First Baptist Church where he has been a life-long member.  That job helped his parents afford the college tuition at ASU.  Now, Shane works as Director of Client Development for InSight Communications of Bryant and is also employed by the Saline County Development Corporation.

A very active member of the community, Shane is a member of the Bryant and Benton Chambers of Commerce, the Saline County Farm Bureau, and the Saline County Ducks Unlimited.  He serves on the Board of the Central Arkansas Development Council, the Christian Community Care Clinic, the Bryant Boys and Girls Club, Lion’s World Services for the Blind Board, the CARTI Foundation Board and the Quality Teaching and Learning Centers.  Formerly, he was Vice President for Government for the Economics Arkansas Board and served on the University of Arkansas’s 2010 Commission.

Shane and Debbie are active members and supporters of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of America, an issue that has hit close to the heart since Debbie was diagnosed with MS in 1991.  Today, Debbie remains a source of encouragement and strength for Shane as he serves the people of Arkansas.

Shane’s Accomplishments

Senator Shane Broadway was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1996 and

ran unopposed in 1998 and 2000. His colleagues in the House elected him to serve as Speaker of theHouse during the 83^rd regular session of the legislature, holding the distinction of being the youngest Speaker of the House in Arkansas history. Having presided over the House as Speaker helped prepare Broadway for the constitutionally-required duties of the Lieutenant Governor. In 2002, he was elected to the State Senate and was re-elected in 2006.

Senator Broadway’s Legislative Accomplishments:

• 1997—Co-Sponsored the largest reduction in state income taxes
• 2001—Youngest legislator ever elected Speaker of the House
• 2003-04—Co-authored the State School Funding Formula. Sponsored the creation of the first scholarship program in the country focused on non-traditional students. Sponsored the first funding increase for the Arkansas Better Chance program, the state’s pre-K program–has been a leader in improving pre-K opportunities for Arkansas’s children.
• 2005—Co-authored the Academic Facility Program. Sponsored Isaac’s Law to increase safety of our school children who ride school buses
• 2005—Commissioned the Arkansas 2020 report to provide a comprehensive analysis of the anticipated demographic changes that Arkansas will face in 2020
• 2007—Co-sponsored 3-cent reduction in the grocery tax and supported a Homestead Property Tax credit increase for Arkansans.
• 2009—Co-sponsored additional 1-cent reduction in the grocery tax
• 2009—Supported reduction in sales tax on utilities for manufacturers
• Sponsored and championed legislation throughout legislative career to improve energy efficiency, reduce costs to state government and promote sustainable building construction
• Sponsored and championed numerous bills that increased economic development opportunities for municipalities and counties and created research centers for the development of entrepreneurial innovation.

Recognition and Awards:

• 1998—Outstanding Young Arkansan, AR Junior Chamber of Commerce
• 1999—First Distinguished Service Award, ASU Dept of Political Science
• 2000—40 Under 40, Arkansas Business Magazine
• 2000—Leadership Award, Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness
• 2001—Meritorious Service Award, U.S. Selective Service
• 2001—Legislator of the Year, AR Association of Chiefs of Police Chiefs
• Citizen of the Year, Ralph Bunche Community
• Friend of Human Resources Award, AR Society of Human Resource Managers
• Leadership Award, Southeastern Association of School Business Officials
• Honorary Member, AR School Plant Management Association
• 2005—Professional of the Year, UALR College of Professional Studies
• 2005—Outstanding State Senator, Arkansas State Employees
• 2006—Award of Merit, AR Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
• 2006—Bethel Middle School Library named in honor of Sen. Broadway
• 2006-07— SW Region Legislator of the Year, Arkansas School Counselors
• Honorary Future Farmers of America Member
• 2007—Outstanding Legislator, AR Circuit Clerks Association
• 2007— Legislator Appreciation Award, Arkansas Municipal League
• 2007—Kids Count, Legislative Champion
• 2008—AR Association of Alternative Educators, Legislator of the Year
• 2008—Jack Evans Regional Leadership Award, Metroplan
• 2009— Champion Legislator Award, Arkansas Citizens First Congress
• 2010—Friend of Children Award, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families
• 2010—Honorary Lifetime Member, Bryant Chamber of Commerce