Arkansas lawmakers will soon be back in session, and they will face no shortage of issues competing for attention in 2026. But one problem in particular cuts across every corner of our state: credit card "swipe fees."

Swipe fees function like a hidden tax. Every time a customer pays with a credit card, 2 to 4 percent of that sale is siphoned off before a business ever sees the money. Those fees have quietly become one of the fastest-growing expenses for Arkansas businesses, but unlike labor, rent, or utilities, we have zero ability to negotiate them.

Arkansas is home to more than 280,000 small businesses, alongside national and regional employers that operate in an intensely competitive environment. We compete with big-box retailers, online giants, and each other, all while trying to keep prices fair for customers. Yet when it comes to payment processing, the playing field is anything but........

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