Political News

Catsavis: ‘Apprehensive’ but ready to serve

The first of three new faces on the Fort Smith board of directors was sworn in Tuesday (Nov. 16), with George Catsavis casting his first official vote to approve a…

Policy Foundation recommends tax, spending cut policies

Five fiscal policy proposals from the Arkansas Policy Foundation are yet another voice in the budget debate growing ahead of the January opening of the 88th Arkansas General Assembly. Last…

Highway panel seeks sales tax increase, new bond program

Five new proposals approved by The Arkansas Blue Ribbon Commission on Highways involve raising taxes, shifting taxes, and indexing taxes, according to this report from Talk Business. For nearly 18…

Third-party not a ‘pixie dust’ solution for convention center

Dean Dennis likely placed doubt in those who were certain hiring a third-party operator would resolve the funding shortfall for the Fort Smith Convention Center. The source of the doubt…

Van Buren pushes Rena Road work; to seek pay raises in 2011 budget

story by Marla Cantrell [email protected] At Monday night’s (Nov. 15) meeting of the Van Buren City Council, aldermen voted to approve up to $800,000 to secure land from property owners…

Fort Smith board agrees to push 5% water, sewer increase

Although Monday’s (Nov. 15) budget hearing was not a voting meeting, the Fort Smith board of directors unanimously agreed to move forward with a combined 5% water and sewer rate…

Arkansas House budget leader ready to debate taxes

Rep. Kathy Webb, D-Little Rock, will be the House co-chair of the powerful Joint Budget Committee in the 2011 regular session. Webb, a restaurateur and small business owner, says her…

‘Significant deficiences’ noted in Arkansas Lottery audit

The Arkansas Legislative Joint Audit Committee released its findings on the Arkansas Lottery Commission on Friday (Nov. 15). Auditors found a myriad of issues of concern, including two "significant deficiencies."…

‘Super September’ helps teachers’ retirement fund

The chief executive of the state’s largest pension fund recently provided some hope that international markets are emerging from a prolonged bear market, thus padding the $10 billion retirement fund…

RITA board seeks local government support

The board of the Regional Intermodal Transportation Authority formally approved Wednesday (Nov. 10) the request of $25,000 each from Crawford County, Sebastian County, the city of Fort Smith and the…

Tax cut debates heating up in Little Rock (Updated)

The forthcoming legislative session will be rich with many debates, but tax cuts may prove the most colorful and spirited during the 88th General Assembly. Republicans and Democrats — some…

Beebe pushes new budget, half-cent sales tax cut

Arkansas’ Department of Finance & Administration officials presented Gov. Mike Beebe’s balanced budget for the next two fiscal years to state lawmakers and predicted a recovery from the "disaster" of…

Debt coverage, rate issues focus of Fort Smith budget talks

The balance between quality service and financially meeting debt covenants and ongoing maintenance and operations with Fort Smith’s water and sewer system dominated the second in a series of three…

Fort Smith directors begin review of 2011 budget

The first 2.5 hours of Fort Smith’s fiscal year 2011 budget hearings were calm and quiet, with most of the comments from city directors and recently elected members of the…

Fort Smith board to hear agency funding proposals

The Fort Smith board of directors will review $202,700 in recommended funding for 25 community agencies operating in the areas of recreation, arts and humanities and social/community services. In years…

Fort Smith, Municipal League end workers’ comp conflict

There appears to be a resolution over what was a brewing squabble among the cities of Fort Smith and Little Rock and the Arkansas Municipal League. In early October, the…

Arkansas House makes committee assignments

The Arkansas House of Representatives met for its organizational meeting today, with committee assignments set for new and returning members. There are 43 new members in the 100-member House, which…

Fite alleges State Police helped Post campaign (Update)

The fracas between Tom Fite and State Rep.-elect Leslee Post appears far from over. Prior to the Nov. 2 election, Fite (R) faced Leslee Milam Post (D) for the Arkansas…

Lobbyists: Arkansas legislators to face tight budget (Updated)

Dennis Jungmeyer summarized the obvious when asked what he thought about the top issue in the upcoming Arkansas General Assembly. “It will all come back to money,” Jungmeyer, president of…

Arkansas Senate preps for 2011; Sen. Whitaker elected minority leader

Members and members-elect of the Arkansas Senate gathered in Little Rock on Thursday (Nov. 4) to elect leaders and make committee appointments, with Sen. Ruth Whitaker, R-Cedarville, named vice chair…