10 veteran Arkansas legislators to watch

Editor’s note: The following list was compiled by Talk Business, a content partner with The City Wire.

We acknowledge on the front end that there will be an exceptional number of legislative ringleaders in 2011 in addition to Speaker of the House Robert Moore and Senate President Paul Bookout. Term limits and Republican gains have shifted the balance of power in both chambers. And, this particular cycle appears to have more natural leaders than legislative classes of the past.

A number of freshmen may make an immediate mark in both the House and the Senate, but the returning veterans in both chambers are filled with savvy lawmakers.

While noting that this list will be deficient in covering everyone and everything, we lay out our pre-session picks for returning legislators to keep your eye on. These 10 returning Senators and Representatives will be heavily involved in leadership decisions, big agenda items, and controlling the all-important purse-strings.

ARKANSAS HOUSE
Rep. John Burris, R-Harrison
Burris is the minority leader in the House of Representatives. He will work with vocal members of the GOP and be driving the strategy on a variety of issues, including ethics reform, tax cuts and redistricting. Burris will also use his influence to round up crucial votes.

Rep. Davy Carter, R-Cabot
A banker, lawyer, and respected leader among his GOP peers, there should be no doubt that Carter will be a go-to guy when the deals are cut. In a surprise move, Speaker Moore named Carter as chairman of the House Revenue & Tax Committee, a very pivotal panel that will handle the numerous tax cuts bills in the session.

Rep. Keith Ingram, D-West Memphis
Ingram is a sharp businessman and very politically connected lawmaker with pull in eastern Arkansas and among the power structure in the lobbying corps. He also wants to be the next Speaker of the House. He’ll be in the decision making mix daily.

Rep. Kathy Webb, D-Little Rock
The soft-spoken Little Rock lawmaker is a coalition builder and, despite her liberal leanings, has built a reputation with her peers to get things done. Webb’s powerful seat as House chair of the Joint Budget Committee puts her at the epicenter of control.

Rep. Darrin Williams, D-Little Rock
A former chief of staff for then-Attorney General Mike Beebe, Williams is congenial, smart and hard-working. He’ll contest Ingram for the future Speaker’s seat, although Republicans have designs on electing one of their own. Look for Williams to also be high-profile as chair of the Judiciary Committee, which will handle the lion’s share of prison reform legislation.

ARKANSAS SENATE
Sen. Gilbert Baker, R-Conway
Baker will once again serve as Senate chair of the Joint Budget Committee, which controls the $4.6 billion state budget. Baker, a Republican still with statewide political aspirations, is also vice-chair of the State Agencies panel, which will realign Congressional districts and have influence on referred ballot proposals.

Sen. Larry Teague, D-Nashville
Teague is in a precarious position. As chair of his chamber’s Revenue and Tax committee, he could be in the hot seat to put the brakes on the bevy of tax cut proposals flowing in this year’s legislature. He’s up for re-election in 2012 in a district that the GOP will target.

Sen. Robert Thompson, D-Paragould
Thompson, a highly intelligent lawyer and well-respected legislator, is a loyal lieutenant for Senate President Paul Bookout. Thompson looks to carry out many of the missions that Bookout will want and need executed.

Sen. Michael Lamoureux, R-Russellville
This River Valley Republican has been at work since winning his special election seat.  Lamoureux will not only shape GOP strategy in the Senate, but he is the #2 on the Revenue and Tax committee, which could be a very influential position for securing tax cuts beyond Gov. Mike Beebe’s stated wishes.

Sen. Percy Malone, D-Arkadelphia
Malone’s capitol politics carry back to the Clinton gubernatorial administration. He’s been in the Senate for a decade and will be a voice for institutional knowledge in this session. As vice-chair of Joint Budget and head of Public Health, Malone will be the blunt legislative dean who will "call it like he sees it."

OTHERS WHO WILL BE HIGH-PROFILE AND ACTIVE:
Rep. Fred Allen (D), House Insurance and Commerce Chair; health care reform
Rep. Jonathan Barnett (R), House Transportation Chair; former Highway commissioner
Rep. Ed Garner (R), Will lead several tax cut proposals and online checkbook debate
Rep. Clark Hall (D), House State Agenices Chair; redistricting and ballot referrals
Rep. Tiffany Rogers (D), Joint Energy Co-chair; alternative energy proponent
Rep. Linda Tyler (D), House Public Health Chair; health care reform
Rep. Jon Woods (R), Will be active on many committees and with legislation
Sen. Joyce Elliott (D), Senate Majority Leader; active on many issues
Sen. David Johnson (D), Will be active on prison reform and other issues
Sen. Sue Madison (D), Senate State Agencies Chair; redistricting and ballot referrals
Sen. Jim Luker (D), Senate Judiciary Chair; prison reform
Sen. Ruth Whitaker (R), Senate Judiciary Vice-chair and Senate Minority Leader