by - April 6, 2015 5:49 pm
Governor Signs Three ‘Foundational’ Workforce Bills
Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed three bills into law Monday that he said represent a fundamental shift in the state’s workforce development efforts.
Author: Steve Brawner
by - April 3, 2015 3:03 pm
Governor’s Cup Business Plan Competition Today, Winners Named April 22
The winners of the 15th annual Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition will be announced April 22, but the finalists were competing on Friday. The event is…
by - April 2, 2015 4:19 pm
Director: USTDA Builds Overseas Relationships That Help U.S. Businesses
Federal agencies like the U.S. Trade and Development Agency help American companies, including those in Arkansas, create business partnerships and help developing overseas economies grow, the director of the U.S….
by - April 1, 2015 1:14 pm
Three Constitutional Amendments Advance (UPDATED)
The Legislature will consider referring to the voters constitutional amendments that would remove the current cap on superproject infrastructure bonds, allow the governor to retain his or her powers when…
by - March 31, 2015 3:57 pm
Arkansas Opening Bids For State School Broadband
Arkansas has opened a bid invitation to create a new broadband network for schools, with work scheduled to begin in July. An invitation for bid covering seven years was opened…
by - March 31, 2015 2:53 pm
Hutchinson Issues First Veto; Senate Does Not Override
The Arkansas Senate Tuesday failed to override Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s first veto – of a bill that would restrict the commercial use of an individual’s name, likeness and other identifying…
by - March 31, 2015 12:23 am
Panel: Progress Made For Women, But Ways To Go
Women have made progress in areas such as health care, education, the private sector and nonprofit organizations, but they continue to face barriers to full equality. Those were among the…
by - March 30, 2015 2:15 pm
‘Religious Freedom’ Bill Moves Forward
Amendments to a bill that would prevent state actions that “substantially burden a person’s right to exercise of religion” passed the House Judiciary Committee Monday despite a heavy presence of…
by - March 25, 2015 1:30 pm
Key Hired As Education Commissioner, Starts ‘Right Now’
The State Board of Education unanimously approved former Sen. Johnny Key to be the state’s new education commissioner today.
by - March 25, 2015 8:40 am
Senate Tax Chair: No More Cuts This Session (UPDATED)
The Legislature will not replace any additional tax cuts this session aside from restoring cuts to the capital gains tax, the chairman of the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee predicted…
by - March 18, 2015 3:15 pm
Amended Common Core Test Bill Passes Senate Ed
A bill that would have ended Arkansas’ participation in a multi-state assessment associated with the Common Core failed to get a second in the Senate Education Committee Wednesday and then…
by - March 17, 2015 4:00 pm
Health Care Changes Coming With, Without Obamacare
The Affordable Care Act has reduced the number of uninsured Americans, but many of the most important changes in health care have come as a result of market forces that…
by - March 13, 2015 5:57 am
Governor’s Cup: More Than a Class Project
The annual Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup business plan competition gives students a chance to bring their ideas to life.
by - March 12, 2015 5:19 am
Patented House Arrest iPhone App Better Than Bracelets, Designer Says
On Feb. 18, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced his legislative proposals meant to reduce the state’s incarceration rates. He may want to contact Kris Keyton. Keyton, president of Fort Smith-based E-cell,…
by - March 11, 2015 4:21 pm
Hutchinson Signs School Consolidation Waiver Bill
Legislation signed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson Wednesday came too late for the now-defunct Weiner School District, but a parent from that community said the bill’s passage was a victory that…
by - March 10, 2015 6:40 am
A Woman’s Touch At The State Capitol
Female legislators – busy during the ongoing 90th General Assembly – have risen in numbers, prominence and influence over the past several decades. Are there still many steps to climb in the stairway to equality?
by - March 9, 2015 2:24 pm
Health Care Task Force Divided, But Seeking Common Ground
The 16-member Arkansas Health Care Reform Legislative Task Force, charged with recommending changes to the private option and traditional Medicaid, is split nearly evenly between legislators who voted for and…
by - March 9, 2015 8:10 am
Facebook Not Friends With Social Media Privacy Bills
Facebook doesn’t “like” two bills being considered by state legislators – one that would allow certain employers to require access to their employees’ social media accounts, and one that would give personal representatives access to a deceased person’s digital records.
by - March 4, 2015 7:38 pm
Bills Affecting Lottery Scholarship, Consolidation Moving Forward
The Senate Education Committee Wednesday passed a bill requiring a minimum ACT score of 19 for students to receive the lottery-funded Academic Challenge Scholarship. The bill also reduces payouts during…
by - March 2, 2015 1:17 pm
Gov. Asa Hutchinson Nominates Johnny Key As New Education Commissioner (UPDATED)
Gov. Asa Hutchinson Monday announced former Sen. Johnny Key, R-Mountain Home, as his preference as the state’s new education commissioner, but state law will have to be changed for that…