Author: Roby Brock

Bank Of The Ozarks Sees 11% Boost In Net Income

Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. announced that net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 was $20.0 million, an 11.1% increase from $18 million for the first quarter of…

Return Of The Blue Hog Report

The famed Blue Hog Report blog appears poised for resurrection. The blog, once guided by liberal blogger Matt Campbell, is promoting the date “5.1.13” on its home page. Campbell tells…

Sen. Files Explains Private Option-Tax Cut Ties

State Sen. Jake Files (R-Fort Smith) says that the “private option” debate in the House will dictate which road a tax cut package may move. Files, who appeared on Talk…

National Journal: Mike Ross To Launch Gubernatorial Campaign April 17

It’s been one of the worst kept secrets in Arkansas politics. Former Arkansas Congressman Mike Ross (D) plans to announce he’ll seek the Democratic nomination for Governor in 2014 on…

Economist: Arkansas Labor Force Decline Hard To Pinpoint

The number of employed Arkansans has fallen by an estimated 25,000 workers during the past year, part of a 13-month decline in the state’s workforce. Why?

‘Private Option’ Funding Language Embedded In DHS Budget Bill

A major question mark for funding the “private option” health insurance expansion through federal Medicaid funds was answered on Monday (April 8). On Monday morning, the Special Language committee amended…

Film Commissioner Says New Incentives Already Paying Dividends

Arkansas Film Commissioner Christopher Crane says that new incentives approved by the state legislature are already paying dividends.

House Economic Development Panel Approves Big River Steel Bill

A day after the State Senate approved the $1.1 billion Big River Steel Mill superproject, a House panel also approved a measure to push the deal forward. SB 820, the…

The Big River Steel Appropriation

The only thing that could hold up the $1.1 billion steel mill superproject is a tricky vote in the Arkansas House of Representatives.

Companion Bills For ‘Private Option’ Amended

Two bills that outline the framework for the Arkansas “private option” health insurance expansion plan have been amended. SB 1020 and HB 1143 have been renamed The Health Care Independence…

Mike Ross Resigns Job To Pursue ‘Public Service’

Former Congressman Mike Ross (D) dropped another huge clue that he plans to run for Arkansas Governor in 2014. In an email sent Tuesday (April 2) to employees at Southwest…

‘Private Option’ Insurance Gets Green Light Letter From Feds

A day after House Speaker Davy Carter (R-Cabot) and Senate President Michael Lamoureux (R-Russellville) announced their endorsement of Arkansas’ “private option” approach to expanding Medicaid through health insurance exchanges, the federal…

DHS Calculates $670 Million In Health Savings Over Decade

New numbers released from the Department of Human Services indicate the private insurance option being considered by lawmakers could save the state $670 million over the next decade. Here’s the math.

Big River Steel Details Emerge In Legislation

If your mind has not been numbed enough by details of the Big River Steel discussion this week, then the amendment added to shell bill SB 820 will be more…

House Tax Panel Approves Income Tax Bracket Reform Measure

An Arkansas House panel approved a change to the state’s income tax brackets, a move that could deplete state revenues by $57 million a year. HB 1585 by Rep. Charlie…

Details On Medicaid Fraud Bill Flushed Out

A bill to root out Medicaid fraud has been flushed out with more details that includes establishing an office of Medicaid Inspector General and providing a testing of Medicaid claims….

Lawmakers Query Experts On Big River Steel Project (UPDATED)

President Harry Truman once said he wanted a one-handed economist because all his economists would say, “On the one hand, on the other.” A full committee room of legislators heard…

Gov. Beebe Vetoes Voter ID Bill

Gov. Mike Beebe (D) issued his third veto of the 89th General Assembly rejecting a divisive voter ID bill that would require photo proof at the polls to cast a…

Americans For Prosperity Opposes Big River Steel Project

A group originally founded by major investors in the Big River Steel mill project is voicing its opposition to the $1.1 billion deal. On March 21, Americans For Prosperity’s Arkansas…

Asa Hutchinson Talks Governor’s Race, School Safety Initiative

Republican candidate and frontrunner for Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson says Arkansas is much different since his last run for the state’s top elective post and that he has what it takes to win this time around.