Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Lawmakers Debate Surplus Funds

State lawmakers spent the tail end of the week debating how to spend nearly $125 million in surplus funds for the next biennium. A litany of funding requests ranging from…

Gov. Beebe Appoints 44 To Boards And Commissions

Gov. Mike Beebe today announced the following appointments to boards and commissions: Jeffery “Scott” Baxter, Jonesboro, to the Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System Board of Trustees. Appointment expires…

Union Pacific CEO Weighs In On Keystone Project, Economy

The CEO of Union Pacific Corp., the railroad transportation giant, told a Little Rock audience that he sees positive signs in the U.S. economy, particularly in the agricultural, chemical and…

Brooks Approved For Judgeship

The U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Timothy L. Brooks to the federal bench on Wednesday in a rare 100-0 vote. Brooks, a Fayetteville attorney, will serve as U.S. District Judge for…

Judge Maggio Admits Comments ‘Not Acceptable,’ Withdraws From Campaign

After reports surfaced, led by the Blue Hog Report blog, Judge Mike Maggio of Conway said he will not be a candidate for the Arkansas Court of Appeals. Maggio was…

Tolbert: Pryor Says Cotton Has ‘Sense Of Entitlement’ Due To Military Service

MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” did a segment this morning looking at the Senate race in Arkansas between Sen. Mark Pryor and Cong. Tom Cotton. The whole segment “One of the Last…

Cook: Republicans Misconstrue Pryor’s Comments On Military Service

Today Republicans are all aflutter because they believe, incorrectly, that Senator Mark Pryor attacked Tom Cotton”s record of military service this morning on MSNBC. On social media today, Republic Party…

Tolbert: RGA Continues to Chip Away at Ross

The Republican Governors’ Association has launched another ad hitting Mike Ross and his ties to Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Sources tell the Tolbert Report that the ad buy…

Two Weeks Down, 36 More to Go

There’s still a primary awaiting Republican gubernatorial candidate Asa Hutchinson, but you wouldn’t know it — not by the recent (and heavy) back and forth between his campaign and Democratic…

Sanner: Arkansas Agriculture Needs Immigration Reform

Editor’s note: Harvey Joe Sanner is a retired rice farmer from Des Arc and is participating in #iFarmImmigration month by discussing the agriculture industry’s need for immigration reform. Agriculture is…

Cook: By the Numbers, State House Control a Toss-Up

This week, candidate filing closed which means we now know for certain who will be on the ballot. This year both political parties will fight for control of the State…

Tolbert: Hammer Takes The Bullet To End The Private Option Stalemate

Republicans owe Rep. Kim Hammer a big thank you today. Without regard to his political future, Hammer took a bullet that ended the stalemate in the House and likely salvaged…

Arkansas House Passes Private Option, Heads To Governor For Signature

On a fifth and final effort, the Arkansas House of Representatives passed a funding measure for the private option health insurance program.

February State Revenues Miss Forecast

February’s net revenues missed the mark for the state of Arkansas as sales taxes declined, individual income tax refunds grew, and a timing issue affected payroll collections. The Arkansas Department…

Tolbert: Republicans Win Filing Period

It is amazing how much times have changed in Arkansas. The candidate filing period that ended today reveals that the state continues to shift from blue to red. For starters,…

Cook: Arkansas Democratic Congressional Candidates Get National Help

Two years ago, Arkansas Democrats’ nominees for Congress didn’t get much, if any, help from the national party. This year. however, it appears the Democratic Congressional nominees might get much…

Candidate Filings Conclude At State Capitol

Filing for political office ended at noon for partisan candidates at the state capitol on Monday (March 3). Who’s in? Find out by reading our complete candidate list.

Asa Hutchinson Reveals First TV Ad

GOP gubernatorial frontrunner Asa Hutchinson has revealed his first TV ad of the 2014 campaign. Titled “Arkansas Values and Arkansas Common Sense,” the ad features Hutchinson and his wife, Susan,…

Speaker Carter Unsure Of The Solution On Private Option Impasse

Still two votes shy of a supermajority in the Arkansas House, Speaker Davy Carter (R-Cabot) says he is unsure of what potential change may secure the additional votes needed to pass the private option.

Rutherford Says 2014 Senate Race Differs From Lincoln-Boozman In 2010

Skip Rutherford, dean of the Clinton School of Public Service and a long-time Arkansas politico, says he’s not convinced that Arkansans are completely tuned in to the 2014 election cycle,…