by - May 26, 2014 4:49 pm
Arkansas voter polling insights
When conceiving this column a few months ago, we planned to make the space allotted us on this website a place where we explain the strategic motivations behind the actions…
Guest Commentary
by - May 14, 2014 1:33 pm
The politics of judicial precedence
Time and again we read in the news or hear from media reports that a single federal judge or a judicial panel of three or at most five, have taken…
by - May 12, 2014 12:09 pm
Sex, drugs, and the demise of our tax code
CPAs regularly field questions on why the United States income tax laws are so screwed up and unfair. Everybody has their own opinion, but I tend to accept the opinion…
by - May 5, 2014 2:02 pm
Gov. Fallin: Remember the victims
Last week, the state of Oklahoma conducted the lawful execution of Clayton Lockett, a man who was convicted of first degree burglary, assault with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping, robbery by…
by - April 27, 2014 6:17 pm
Begin with the end in mind
I read Stephen Covey’s classic book, "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," the year it was first published, in 1989. It since has become a business classic for cause….
by - April 27, 2014 12:17 pm
The role of wealth in elections
Two recent Supreme Court decisions have troubled a number of Americans who care about rule by the people. But before we discuss these cases, a brief history is in order….
by - April 20, 2014 4:30 pm
Tourism industry treasures
Throughout my time as Governor, we have seen many twists and turns in the national economy that have made their impact known in Arkansas. Throughout both the tumultuous and brighter…
by - April 17, 2014 5:01 pm
Pryor-Cotton and U.S. Senate control, part II
Because voter turnout is regularly low during midterm elections, and a president’s party has historically lost seats- with some rare exceptions- in Congress during midterm elections, the strategy that campaigns…
by - April 13, 2014 7:26 pm
Pryor-Cotton and U.S. Senate control, part I
6 is the ‘magical’ number that will dominate the national political discourse throughout this electoral year. 6 is the ‘magical’ number of additional seats that national Republicans will have to…
by - April 6, 2014 7:10 pm
Compounded economic development
How often do you hear a debate, among public officials or among residents, about the payback period or the return on investment of a multi-million dollar project before it is…
by - March 30, 2014 4:54 pm
Dialogue on the Constitution
Hey, neighbor, how are you doing? Hi, neighbor, I’m doing fine. Well, as long as the warm weather holds. Yeah, it’s been an awful winter. Said that right, brother. What…
by - March 28, 2014 11:55 am
Praising Arkansas agriculture
Over the years, consumers have become increasingly health-conscious, as well as environmentally aware of farming practices. One of the results of this has been a monumental rise in demand for…
by - March 24, 2014 4:13 pm
A vision mystery
Fort Smith is a great place to live, today, but as with any living thing, today’s actions affect tomorrow’s outcome. Individually we set goals to achieve a designed future for…
by - March 16, 2014 3:08 pm
There is little the U.S. can do about Crimea
In those quarters where Obama-bashing is a sport, the situation in Ukraine has given conservative commentators on Fox News and elsewhere more ammunition to bash President Obama. The tone has…
by - March 9, 2014 7:13 pm
City strengths and city governance
“After my kids are grown I might move to …” I often hear friends and clients with high school and college age kids make the above statement on a regular…
by - March 6, 2014 5:26 pm
Pryor, Cotton message development
“Tom Cotton: Wrong for Arkansas” read a blaring headline of a blog on U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor’s campaign website on Aug. 6, 2013, as Pryor’s campaign anticipated U.S. Rep. Tom…
by - March 2, 2014 4:22 pm
Planning notes from Superintendent Gooden
The concerns relative to the emerging plans for an additional high school are reasonable in view of the long-term impact such a project can have on the Fort Smith Public…
by - February 23, 2014 11:59 am
The importance of innovation
Steve Jobs said innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. Michael Porter said innovation is the central issue in economic prosperity. Both ideas describe the importance of innovative thinking…
by - February 2, 2014 8:32 pm
The death of Fort Smith’s prosperity
“Unreasonable.” “Vindictive!” “They read too many books.” “They avoid common sense.” “Fort Smith is the laughing stock of the state.” Above is a sampling of the comments I heard from…
by - January 20, 2014 3:40 pm
The ‘Private Option’ push
The members of the Arkansas General Assembly return to the Capitol in February for the 2014 Fiscal Session. This will be the third such session since voters changed the Arkansas…