Author: Talk Business

Talk Business

by Talk Business - September 8, 2011 7:00 pm

Clark Hall For Congress – Update

The latest rumor floating around the capitol dome this morning is that a movement is underway to encourage Rep. Clark Hall, D-Marvell, to run for Congress in the First Congressional District against incumbent Republican Congressan Rick Crawford. 

by Talk Business - September 8, 2011 7:00 pm

Holland’s Primary Is Gearing Up

If you have not heard, Sen. Bruce "Fireball" Holland, R-Greenwood, was found guilty in a Perry County District Court yesterday of misdemeanor counts of fleeing, careless driving and improper passing.

"I was not fleeing Officer Byrd. I was not passing on a double yellow.  I think we saw very early today that this was not going to go our way. I was obviously disappointed in the way this turned out and we will appeal to the next level," said Holland in a video posted to Arkansas Online.  "I would have appealed anything that she charged me with fleeing because I am not guilty of fleeing. It’s possible that I may have clipped a yellow line out there and they can consider that improper passing and I would go along with that and I was speeding. But there is no doubt in my mind… I am certain that I did not know anybody was trying to pursue me, trying to pull me over."

Although the appeal is pending, the guilty verdict will have an impact on Holland’s re-election campaign.  Although not likely to rise to the level of an "infamous crime," which would make him ineligible to serve, it likely will be a campaign issue.  In addition, the sentence was for 400 hours of community service in Perry County, which needs to be completed in the next 12 months.  That is the equivalent of 10 weeks of full-time work or every Saturday for the next year that Holland will have to do during the peak of campaign season.

On top of this, it looks like Holland will face a crowded Republican primary and a general election opponent, Rep. Tracy Pennartz, D-Fort Smith.  Former Rep. Rick Green, R-Van Buren, has already announced for the seat and for all practical purposes has been campaigning for the senate since he was term limited in House in 2010.  Former GOP Rep. John Verkamp, a lawyer from Charleston, is also expected to announce.

But the name I have heard some Republicans get excited about is Rep. Gary Deffenbaugh, R-Van Buren, who is serving his first term in the House.  Deffenbaugh is a popular retired coach and has been a reliable conservative vote in the House.  One source tells me a poll run in the district shows him with a sizable lead in the primary.  If he gets in, he has a strong chance of winning.  But the question is: does he go for the senate or play it safe and run for re-election in the House where he will have little or no opposition?

This race will be one to watch.

 

by Talk Business - September 7, 2011 7:00 pm

Fdic Report Positive On Arkansas Banks

Arkansas’ 127 bank institutions collectively improved their asset base and loan portfolios during the second quarter of 2011, according to a federal bank report released Thursday (Sept. 8).

by Talk Business - September 7, 2011 7:00 pm

Feds Declare Entire State Agricultural Natural Disaster Area

Gov. Mike Beebe (D) received word today that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has declared all 75 Arkansas counties as agricultural natural-disaster areas. Beebe requested the designation earlier this summer after a wide range of natural disasters impacted Arkansas farmers.

by Talk Business - September 7, 2011 7:00 pm

Arkansas Congressional Leaders Respond To Obama Jobs Speech

Arkansas’ Congressional officials weighed in with remarks on Pres. Obama’s speech regarding job creation.  Although there was bi-partisan acknowledgement, there was also tough language, espeically from Rep. Steve Womack (R), who said the speech "came across as a lecture."

Here are everyone’s released remarks with the exception of Sen. John Boozman (R) who has yet to comment publicly.

U.S. Senator Mark Pryor (D)

Our economy is paralyzed, and there is no quick cure. There are however, steps we can take to promote private sector hiring and put Americans back to work.  Short-term initiatives, such as small business tax incentives or infrastructure investments could help stabilize the economy. 

by Talk Business - September 7, 2011 7:00 pm

Obama Talking Points Make The Rounds, Tax Changes Central Focus For Jobs

The White House has released early talking points on Pres. Obama’s jobs speech for tonight.  For a sneak preview, here is what the President will propose in his American Jobs Act:

  • Cut taxes for small businesses, the engines of job creation, to help them  hire and grow;
  • Put more money in the pockets of working and middle class Americans;
  • Put more people back to work — teachers laid off from state budget cuts, veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, first responders, and constructions workers rebuilding our roads and bridges, and schools; and
  • Help the long term unemployed, by helping them support their families while they look for work and reforming the system to better connect them to real jobs.

Obama’s talking points say that the jobs push will be "fully paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes and asking the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share," although there is no dollar amount assigned to where that tax increase may begin. Most likely, Obama will push to allow for an expiration of the Bush tax cuts.

by Talk Business - September 6, 2011 7:00 pm

Entergy Quizzed On Miso Move

If Entergy Arkansas were a football team, it would be shopping for a new conference. Or perhaps a new conference is shopping for Entergy.

by Talk Business - September 6, 2011 7:00 pm

Attorney General Reviewing Opinion On Broadway

Republican legislators complained that Democratic Attorney General Dustin McDaniel was delaying his opinion on a controversial gubernatorial appointment, but McDaniel’s office says a decision is just days away.

by Talk Business - September 6, 2011 7:00 pm

A Bipartisan Tailgate?

Politicos are buzzing about an invitation that went out this week for a legislative tailgate event before the Arkansas game against New Mexico in Little Rock this Saturday.  The invitation reads "You’re cordially invited to join State Rep. Darrin Williams and Co-Hosts help kick off the first U of A football game in Little Rock with style." It lists 57 co-hosts – 50 Democrats and 7 Republicans.

After the high profile fundraiser for Democratic Senate President Pro Tem Designate Larry Teague which included most Senate Republicans, some wondered if something similar was occurring on the House side. Rep. Williams has said he plans to run for House Speaker next year.

Minority Leader John Burris who was one of the seven names on the tailgate invitation attempts to clear up the confusion.

"Darrin asked me last week to co-host," said Burris. Williams told him that "he wanted some Republicans, so everyone knew they were welcome. This is the legislative tailgate we do every year for Little Rock games. This year, he is doing the planning and hosting (probably no coincidence). However, co-hosting isn’t indication of anything other than courtesy to a colleague and support of the Razorback tailgating."

Burris said this is absolutely no indication of his support for Williams campaign to be Speaker of the House.

Talk Business’ Roby Brock has also spoken to some of the lobbyists on the invitation. He has been told that the event and invitation has nothing to do with the Speaker’s race as several indicated that they didn’t want to get involved in the "internal politics" of the House.