Three More Republicans To Keep A Close Eye On

Talk Business & Politics has listed its Top 10 Legislators To Watch heading in to the 2012 fiscal session, which starts Feb. 13. Here are 3 more Republicans to keep a close eye on and why.

Sen. Missy Irvin (R-Mountain View) – Perhaps the highest profile issue to come up in the fiscal session will be the finance problems that have surrounded the Arkansas Forestry Commission.  Sen. Irvin will likely serve as the Republicans point person on this issue as co-chair for a subcommittee of the Joint Budget Committee tasked with oversight of this agency. She has already raised many questions regarding the misuse of the agency’s funds that resulted in the loss of around twenty forest firefighters.

Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R-Beebe) – In the previous legislative session, many of the divisions were more about the House versus the Senate than they were Republicans versus Democrats. If the fiscal session has a similar dynamic, Sen. Dismang could be the key to building a bridge. As a former House member with key alliances in both chambers, he could help negotiate differences between the two ends of the capitol.

Rep. Charlie Collins (R-Fayetteville) – Most expect the fiscal session will be smooth with the focus staying largely on the budget and appropriations. However with a three-fourths vote required for approving appropriation bills, you could see some of these appropriations blocked, particularly from Tea Party Republicans upset over funding for health care exchanges in the Insurance Department budget. Rep. Collins has become known as one of the more level-headed among this Tea Party group and could be a key to working out a compromise, if any appropriation bills get blocked.

ADDITIONAL READING:
Cook’s Additional Picks
Talk Business & Politics Top 10 Legislators To Watch