by - February 4, 2013 12:12 pm
Bill filing and bill killing
• Senate Report: Week 3 review This past week saw some extremely positive news from the Governor with the announcement of our state’s first “Super Project” which happened to be…
2013 General Assembly
by - January 31, 2013 7:10 pm
Arkansas Medicaid gap falls to $61 million
A $138 million funding gap in the state’s Medicaid program has shrunk to $61 million, according to state officials. Gov. Mike Beebe and the Arkansas Department of Human Services disclosed…
by - January 30, 2013 7:25 pm
‘Highly unusual’ Medicaid audit report set for release
Members of the executive committee of the Joint Audit Committee met briefly Wednesday afternoon so that co-chairs Sen. Bryan King, R-Green Forest, and Rep. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, could inform lawmakers…
by - January 28, 2013 12:06 pm
Sen. Hendren to push CNG, energy policy research
Sen. Jim Hendren, R-Gravette, is eager to push plans and ideas he says could result in greatly reduced energy costs for state and local governments and state residents. Speaking Saturday…
by - January 27, 2013 8:10 pm
Building consensus
• Senate Report: Week 2 review While there is still a hint of sluggishness to the Session, it is beginning to pick up some momentum. Bills are being filed, committees agendas…
by - January 24, 2013 6:42 pm
Rep. Collins open to tax reform ideas
Rep. Charlie Collins, R-Fayetteville, chairman of the House Revenue & Tax Committee, said he plans on not rushing his committee’s efforts to reform the state tax code. In an interview…
by - January 22, 2013 8:52 pm
Fayetteville Rep leads Arkansas House Democrats
With Democrats in the legislative minority for the first time in 138 years, House Minority Leader Rep. Greg Leding, D-Fayetteville, said his party plans to be actively involved in many…
by - January 21, 2013 6:48 pm
Arkansas Medicaid expansion debated
Medicaid expansion in Arkansas was recently debated via guest commentaries by Joe Thompson, Arkansas’ Surgeon General and Director of the Arkansas Center of Health Improvement, and Dan Greenberg, a lawyer,…
by - January 21, 2013 1:10 pm
The debates begin
• Senate Report: Week 1 review If pomp and circumstance is appealing to you, then the first couple of days of the Session would be quite exciting. There are grand gestures…
by - January 21, 2013 11:34 am
Sanders, Sabin want to bring ‘civility to politics’
State Sen. David Sanders, R-Little Rock, and State Rep. Warwick Sabin, D-Little Rock, say they are committed to bringing “civility to politics” in the 89th General Assembly, which is Republican-controlled…
by - January 18, 2013 8:07 am
Amendment 82 in play for ‘super’ jobs project
Gov. Mike Beebe and his director of economic development, Grant Tennille, have both discussed publicly the state’s candidacy for a business investment superproject. Beebe calls the business prospect “one of…
by - January 17, 2013 5:42 pm
Files: Tax reform should be revenue neutral
Sen. Jake Files, R-Fort Smith, chair of the Senate Revenue and Tax Committee, says early tax cut proposals in his committee will need to show revenue neutrality, and he expressed…
by - January 16, 2013 2:24 pm
Arkansas jobs chief talks ‘superproject’
Grant Tennille, former communications director for Gov. Mike Beebe and current Arkansas Economic Development Commission Director, sat down with Talk Business for a conversation on the legislative agenda he plans…
by - January 15, 2013 11:53 am
Beebe talks education, jobs in Assembly address
Gov. Mike Beebe (D) delivered his final regular session speech to the Arkansas General Assembly promising bipartisan cooperation and an emphasis on education, economic development and health care. Speaking to…
by - January 14, 2013 3:39 pm
‘Top’ legislators from Northwest Arkansas, Fort Smith areas
Five of the 10 “Legislators to Watch” hail from the Northwest Arkansas and Fort Smith areas. The list is compiled by veteran political reporter Roby Brock, and was first posted…
by - January 14, 2013 3:35 pm
Arkansas House Speaker names committee heads
Of the 20 Arkansas House of Representatives leadership positions named during Monday’s (Jan. 14) opening of the 2013 General Assembly, six are from the Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas areas….
by - January 8, 2013 11:17 am
Beebe comments on McDaniel, Medicaid
Gov. Mike Beebe on Tuesday (Jan. 8) said Attorney General Dustin McDaniel’s “inappropriate” relationship will be a problem in his gubernatorial bid, but Beebe refused to be drawn into a…
by - January 7, 2013 4:56 pm
Beebe, Legislative leaders discuss upcoming session
A confident, comfortable and cooperative Gov. Mike Beebe (D) said he expects his final regular legislative session to be “just fine” despite Republican majorities in both chambers of the legislature….
by - December 21, 2012 10:54 am
Legislative uncertainty is certain
Uncertainty reigns supreme as the 2013 Arkansas legislative session approaches. There are many big issues to address in a timely manner, and most will not be settled until the last…
by - December 17, 2012 11:23 am
Arkansas Senate President talks strategy, tax policy
Upon first impressions, Senate President Michael Lamoureux, R-Russellville, will strike you as the strong and silent type. He may be strong, but he’s not silent. Part of his strength comes…