Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Cook: Halter’s Options Following Ross’ ‘Monster’ Fundraising Quarter

Fundraising reports are in for the Democratic gubernatorial candidates and the data tells us a story about the two campaigns. The reports also lead me to make a prediction. Former…

Campaign Contribution Reports Roll In

Throughout the day, political candidates are expected to file quarterly campaign contribution and expense reports, which will indicate early financial support for races they are seeking. This post will be…

Medicaid Growth Slows To Smallest Rate In Three Decades

Arkansas’ Medicaid program saw a marked slowdown in spending growth compared to the previous year, and state officials said the most recently concluded fiscal year produced the lowest annual growth…

Cong. Cotton Defends Farm Bill, Immigration Stances; Coy On Senate Run

Fourth District Cong. Tom Cotton (R) says his tough stance calling for farming and immigration reforms is his way of responding to constituent concerns. He also gave few clues to his prospects of challenging Sen. Mark Pryor (D) for the U.S. Senate in 2014.

Executive Roundtable: The Future Of Higher Education

From the latest magazine edition of Talk Business Arkansas, three education leaders share their thoughts on what it will take to double the state’s college graduation rate by 2025.

Weekend Digest: The Presidents Edition

Babe Ruth had a way with American presidents. How did he handle political royalty? With ease and candor. This story and more makes our Weekend Digest.

Lottery Commission Employee Stole Nearly Half-million Dollars

Former Arkansas Lottery Commission employee Remmele Mazyck pled guilty to crimes related to the theft of lottery tickets worth more than $478,000. The charges allege that between November 2009 and…

Brawner: Governor, Lieutenant Governor Better Together?

Talk Business contributor and Stephens Media columnist Steve Brawner explores the campaign and potential governing relationship of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Ross and Lt. Governor hopeful John Burkhalter. Brawner recalls…

U.S. House Passes ‘Split’ Farm Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday (July 11) narrowly approved a five-year farm bill measure that did not include funding for food stamp programs. The passage creates uncertainty with…

Cong. Crawford: Immigration Reform Must Be A Conservative Solution

Editor’s note: First District Cong. Rick Crawford (R) writes a guest editorial in the Jonesboro Sun advocating for a multi-bill approach to immigration reform. Writes Crawford: Around the country, reforming…

Cong. Cotton: House Immigration Reform Or Nothing

Cong. Tom Cotton (R) writes a guest editorial in the Wall Street Journal declaring that only a House version of immigration reform should be considered for final law, and that…

AG McDaniel Wants Debate On Executions

Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel called the state’s execution process “completely broken” while speaking to Arkansas sheriffs in Fort Smith Wednesday. McDaniel says he doesn’t envision any of the current…

State Working With Hewlett Packard On Incentive Clawbacks

In the wake of Monday’s announcement that Hewlett Packard would lay off up to 500 workers at its Conway customer service facility, Arkansas economic officials are working with the computer…

ExxonMobil Says Pipeline Burst A ‘Manufacturing Defect’

A report regarding the pipeline burst that led to the Mayflower oil spill has been received by a federal agency and while the report has not been made public, ExxonMobil officials, who have seen it, claim “manufacturing defects” were responsible for the break.