by - June 20, 2012 5:09 pm
Report: Severance tax hike will hurt gas industry
Opponents of an increase in the state’s natural gas severance tax say a new study shows that raising the tax would be detrimental to the gas industry in Arkansas. The…
Political News
by - June 20, 2012 6:48 am
Fort Smith Board alters trash service vote
Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders did not issue a veto Tuesday night (June 19) at the Fort Smith Board of Directors Meeting. He didn’t have to. But his comments leading…
by - June 19, 2012 9:45 am
Arkansas Electric Coop CEO favors carbon tax
Duane Highley was named as the new CEO of the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas in November 2011. Since coming on board with the state’s second largest electric utility, Highley has…
by - June 18, 2012 3:33 pm
Mayor Sanders avoids trash-vote veto discussion
Will Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders veto board action approving the solicitation of bids from third-party refuse collection providers at the Tuesday night (June 19) meeting of the Fort Smith…
by - June 18, 2012 3:16 pm
Small Greek economy could make big waves in the U.S.
Could a collapse of the Greek economy, which is just a little larger than the economy of Washington state in terms of GDP, really push the U.S. into another recession?…
by - June 18, 2012 11:59 am
Federal health-care ruling spurs guessing game
BLOOMBERG — In the next two weeks, John Roberts will sit in his high-backed, black leather chair in the U.S. Supreme Court’s marble courtroom and tell a hushed crowd that…
by - June 14, 2012 10:30 pm
Fort Smith trash issue takes another turn
The Fort Smith Board of Directors will once again address the trash collection issue Tuesday (June 19) when they vote on whether to solicit proposals for a private carrier to…
by - June 14, 2012 4:23 pm
Gov. Beebe to campaign for Rep. Pennartz
Gov. Mike Beebe will be in Van Buren on Friday (June 15) to attend fundraising rally for Rep. Tracy Pennartz, D-Fort Smith. It’s not the first political event for Beebe…
by - June 14, 2012 3:06 pm
Special election turnout worries Van Buren Mayor
Van Buren Mayor Bob Freeman is concerned. As the city gears up for its July 10 special election to decide on plans for a proposed 1% increase in the Sales…
by - June 14, 2012 2:44 pm
Obama duels Romney with competing economic speeches
BLOOMBERG — President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney went head-to-head today in trying to define the choice before voters in speeches delivered from opposite ends of the battleground…
by - June 14, 2012 2:26 pm
‘Micro-union’ action concerns business leaders
A late 2011 ruling by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) now allows for “micro-union” formation, a move opposed by business groups that warn the decision is unfair and overturns…
by - June 13, 2012 3:42 pm
Report: Severance tax rise will not stop drilling
Former gas company executive Sheffield Nelson said his plan to raise Arkansas’ severance tax to 7% will make the ballot and won’t scare off natural gas drillers. To back up…
by - June 13, 2012 11:39 am
McDaniel makes gubernatorial bid official (Updated)
Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel announced Wednesday (June 13) he will seek the Governor’s office in 2014. The announcement makes McDaniel the first high-profile candidate to formally enter the race….
by - June 12, 2012 5:26 pm
Coalition formed to watch church-state issues
A new lobbying group is hoping to make in-roads in Arkansas. According to a press release distributed Tuesday (June 12), the Secular Coalition for America will begin organizing efforts in…
by - June 12, 2012 5:13 pm
Changes sought for Fort Smith public assembly rules
With the trash collection issue settled (for now), the Fort Smith Board of Directors turned its attention to the parks, police, and fire departments at the Tuesday (June 12) study…
by - June 12, 2012 3:42 pm
Ethics reform push debated at Fort Smith event
FORT SMITH — Former 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Keet and Democrat Brent Bumpers, visited Fort Smith on Tuesday (June 12) with a common goal, despite their political differences: ethics…
by - June 12, 2012 2:49 pm
Beebe announces 28 appointments
Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe on Tuesday (June 12) announced the following appointments to boards and commissions. Josh Blevins, Little Rock, to the State Board of Private Career Education. Appointment expires…
by - June 11, 2012 8:07 pm
Trust lacking say Fort Smith director candidates
While City of Fort Smith Board of Directors candidates at the Monday (June 11) League of Women Voters Candidate Forum did not agree entirely on what the top issues the…
by - June 11, 2012 3:47 pm
Signature shortage cited with severance tax push
Arkansas Municipal League director Don Zimmerman issued an email Monday (June 11) to advocates of a hike in the severance tax on natural gas and warned that the petition campaign…
by - June 11, 2012 12:05 pm
Ethics push gains bipartisan support
Two legislative ethics champions agree that lengthening a waiting period for their peers to lobby and banning gifts to lawmakers are good public policy, but they disagree on changes to…