Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Gov. Beebe Headed To Europe For Trade Mission

Gov. Mike Beebe is heading overseas for his third European trade mission in five years. Where is he headed and what are his goals?

Weekend Digest: The Peyton Manning Edition

For our weekend business and political readers: IS AMAZON A BULLY? Harvard Business Review says Amazon’s public fight with the publishing group Hachette, “makes Amazon look like a bully.” The…

Rep. Eddie Armstrong Named New House Minority Leader

Rep. Eddie Armstrong (D-North Little Rock) is the new House Minority Leader replacing Rep. Greg Leding (D-Fayetteville). At a Democratic caucus meeting held Friday morning Armstrong, who is in his…

Beebe On Special Session: Looking For Consensus On Insurance, Prisons And Lottery

Gov. Mike Beebe said he’s not calling a special session on changes to the public school employee insurance program until he sees a roll call from each chamber of the legislature with a big majority in both. He also open to other items on a special session’s call.

Cook: Tom Cotton Skipped Iconic District Event To Hang With Koch Brothers

This is not Tom Cotton”s week when it comes to his attempts to define himself as a candidate who cares about Arkansas and the people of his district. Two news…

French Hill On Iraqi Intervention And Minimum Wage

Republican congressional candidate French Hill said Wednesday he would support air strikes in Iraq if President Barack Obama finds them necessary. U.S. officials confirmed Wednesday that the Iraqi government has…

Brawner: Don’t Write Private Option’s Obituary

Editor’s note: This guest commentary was written by freelance journalist Steve Brawner, who is also a regular contributor to Talk Business & Politics. His political commentary appears at IndependentArkansas.com and…

Cook: Tom Cotton Polled U.S. Senate Race After One Month In Congress

Tom Cotton’s campaign leaked the results of a recent internal poll to “The Hill” that conveniently shows him leading Mark Pryor by seven points. However, in Cotton’s polling memo he…

Asa Hutchinson Pitches His Jobs And Tax Plans To Manufacturers

Republican gubernatorial candidate Asa Hutchinson addressed the onshoring of jobs to the United States and what he said was a burdensome regulatory environment during a speech to the Fort Smith…

Leaders Say Votes Near For Special Session On School Insurance Fix

The House and Senate leaders of a task force charged with addressing soaring school employee health insurance rates said Tuesday (June 17) they believe they will have the votes they…

Tolbert: The Facts On The Asa Hutchinson ‘Birthday Party’ Ad

With the primary now in our rear view mirror, prepare for a deluge of political ads from both sides slinging everything they can at one another. Many of these ads…

State Legislators Hear About Private Option 2.0

Arkansas lawmakers heard about the next wave of Private Option concepts that will be debated as the program moves forward.

Politico Eyes Cotton-Pryor Match-up

Politico’s Manu Raju spent some time on the ground in Arkansas to follow Republican Senate challenger Cong. Tom Cotton. Cotton and incumbent Democratic Senator Mark Pryor are locked in a…

Ross Leads Hutchinson In Cash For The Fall

Asa Hutchinson and Mike Ross start their general election campaign for Arkansas Governor with healthy checkbook balances, but Ross leads in the cash-on-hand department. Hutchinson’s May 11-31 primary contribution report…

NYT’s Jonathan Martin: Concerns Abound In Pryor-Cotton Senate Race

New York Times national political correspondent Jonathan Martin says the competitive U.S. Senate race in Arkansas has leaders in both political parties on edge. “I think the fact that it’s…

St. Vincent’s Chief Discusses Changing Health Care Landscape

Hospital CEO Peter Banko says state efforts to control health care costs – such as Gov. Mike Beebe’s Payment Reform Initiative – are working.

Sterling Endorses Rutledge In Attorney General’s Race

After a contentious, bitter Republican primary, runner-up David Sterling announced on Sunday that he endorsed Leslie Rutledge, the GOP nominee for Attorney General. “I want you to know that I…

Weekend Digest: The Hillary On Tour Edition

For our weekend business and political readers: STARBUCKS TO GIVE CUSTOMERS CHARGE OTHER THAN CAFFEINE USA Today reports Starbucks and Duracell Powermat have teamed up to give customers a charge,…

Hutchinson, Ross Answer Delta Group Questions On Vision For Future

Arkansas gubernatorial candidates Asa Hutchinson and Mike Ross spoke in back-to-back appearances to a Delta advocacy group to discuss issues of concern for the region and the state as a…

Pryor Tells Delta Group That Priorities Are The Same

Democratic incumbent Senator Mark Pryor faced a friendly audience at the Delta Grassroots Caucus a day after his Republican rival riled the group. On Friday, Pryor told the Democratic-heavy crowd…