Guest Commentary

Tax Cuts and other moves

A majority of the 135 Legislators in Little Rock campaigned on tax cuts, not surprisingly in a conservative state. Campaigning and enacting are two different measures, and there were a…

89th Session Wrap, part I

What began as a Session with historical implications ended as a lesson in real world governance and bi-partisanship with major agenda items being completed. The newly minted Republican majorities in…

Seek first an exit strategy

I recently heard an attorney say 70% of partnerships end in “divorce.” She didn’t give her source for the 70% statistic, but from my own observations, the majority of partnerships…

A plea to support Leadership Fort Smith

I was in one of the first classes of Leadership Fort Smith. Leadership Fort Smith is now in its 26th year. More than 650 folks have completed the program and…

Governor promotes ‘artistic tourism’

Spring marks the start of a new tourism season for many travelers who come to Arkansas for our great outdoors. But recently, more and more visitors are drawn indoors to…

The April 15 Survival Guide

There are the “haves” and the “have nots”; the haves, the individuals who have already filed their tax returns, and the have nots, those who haven’t filed their income tax…

A call to action

Like every other community in America, the Fort Smith Region is currently experiencing a silent crisis – CHILD ABUSE. This crisis has been going on for far longer than any…

Dear Whirlpool execs and board:

Dear Mr. Jeff Fettig and members of the Board of Directors of the Whirlpool Corporation: I am a CPA and it is tax season. Between January 1st and April 15th…

Arkansas Legislature entering a busy time

Job creation and tax reform were two of the biggest issues before us this week as we inch closer to adjourning for the session. We began week 11 by passing…

Major legislative issues loom

• The Senate Report: Week 10 review The only people wanting the Legislature to drag on are those counting on the per diem checks for their livelihood. For the rest of…

Protecting animal protection

As The City Wire has reported, Sen. Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, introduced two anti-speech bills, SB 13/SB 14, that, if passed, will criminalize the actions of those who dare to document…

It is almost thievery

Past due accounts receivable has to be one of the most aggravating problems a business owner must confront. As a business owner, you perform the work, incur significant costs, and…

Student health, abortions and tax reform

The issues facing members on the House floor this week ranged from Medicaid reform to funding court assistants. By the end of our 8th week in session, close to 900…

Decisions dilemma

• The Senate Report: Week 7 review When I ran for office the first time, I didn’t know what a State Representative or Senator did. I had never been to the…

Sequester your own budget

What a non-event this sequestration was! We listen to the news where journalists and politicians, in a near frenzy, predict dire consequences for our country and everybody within its borders…

A school security primer

After much of the shock, anger, and outrage has passed following the tragic shooting at the Sandy Hook School, it is time to take an apolitical look at making real…

What is going on?

• The Senate Report: Week 6 review Red carpet. Celebrities. Lots of hoopla. That may be fine for the Oscars, but it is not a typical day in the life of a…

Veterans, abortions and steel

By the end of our 6th week in session, the Governor signed over 140 bills into law. 76 of those bills originated in the House. Over 450 bills have been filed in…

Return on investment

• The Senate Report : Week 5 review Let’s start with a simple premise. Money is finite. It can go anywhere. It is like water in that it will go where there is…

State government and basic math

I’ve been fighting and arguing with a certain business assessor in the Sebastian County Tax Assessor Office for at least two years, probably more. I am right and she is…