Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Blanche Lincoln Champions A New Cause

Former U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln chimes in on Mark Pryor, Arkansas politics, and a new business cause she’s championing for independent contractors.

Casino-style Gambling Wagers Nearing $1.5 Billion

Five months into the year, electronic games of skill (EGS) wagers at Oaklawn and Southland neared the $1.5 billion mark as both tracks saw smaller percentage increases in casino-style gambling.

Weekend Digest: The Former Miss America Edition

For our weekend business and political readers: STARBUCKS DEAL WITH GROUPON PAYS OFF Starbucks says it “accepts that innovation is messy, and it is willing to suffer setbacks here and there…

Polls: Arkansans Opposed To Immigration Reform

Two new polls show widespread state opposition to immigration reform, including a measure being considered at the federal level. A poll released Friday (June 7) by the Federation for American…

Brawner: Meet Your Next Governors

Steve Brawner uses his mid-week Stephens Media column to profile the recently elected Boys State and Girls State governors. Scott Sims from McGehee and Abby Hutton from Springdale were both…

Uncertainty and Frustration Abound With Health Insurance Changes

Michael Tilley with our content partner, The City Wire, takes an in-depth look at several different perspectives in the emerging health insurance reform debate. As Arkansas moves forward with its…

Jay Shue Named Arkansas Medicaid Inspector General

Gov. Mike Beebe (D) has named Jay Shue of Little Rock as Medicaid Inspector General. The position was created by the 89th General Assembly to oversee an independent office that…

Lottery Won’t Meet $98 Million Goal For Scholarships

From David Goins with our content partner, Fox 16 News: Officials with the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery say they will be able to project the amount of money going to college…

Beebe To Seek Rainy Day Funds For Higher Ed Help

In mid-May, Talk Business reported that professional school higher education students were facing significant financial hurdles due to state budget cuts to the Arkansas Health Education Grants (ARHEG) program. The…

Trial Lawyers Roll Out Poll Results, May Lead Tort Reform Effort

Matt Hass, executive director for the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, says his group may roll out its own version of a tort reform amendment based on new polling data.

Tolbert: Sen. Rapert Not Running For Lt. Governor, Seeking Re-election Instead

Scratch one off the list of potential Republican candidates for Lt. Governor in 2014. State Sen. Jason Rapert of Conway tells me today that he has decided to stay put…

Former State Treasurer Shoffner Indicted On 14 Charges

From our content partner, Fox 16 News: Former Arkansas Treasurer Martha Shoffner has been indicted on federal charges. Shoffner, 68, faces a 14-count indictment, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office….

Cook: Hypocritical GOP Attacks Against Mark Pryor

It always amazes me when Republicans jump headfirst into the pool of hypocrisy. It”s like they believe people won”t bother to take the time to check the facts. The latest…

Cong. Cotton Makes Unusual Move To Eliminate D.C. Judicial Positions

From Peter Urban with Stephens Media’s Washington Bureau: U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Dardanelle, on Tuesday plunged into a heated dispute between Senate Republicans and the Obama administration over judicial nominations,…

Cook: GOP Legislators Hate Admitting They Passed Obamacare in Arkansas

Republican legislators just hate admitting they voted to implement Obamacare in Arkansas when they voted for the Medicaid private option. The “Did they or did they not pass Obamacare?” debate…

Five Insurance Carriers Submit Letters Of Intent For Arkansas Exchanges (UPDATED)

Five insurance carriers submitted letters of intent to participate in Arkansas’ forthcoming health insurance exchanges, according to the state Insurance Department. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas, Celtic/Novasys, QualChoice of…

State Revenues Trending Higher With One Month To Go In Fiscal Year

Arkansas’ revenue picture looks strong as the state heads into the final month of its fiscal year. Collections topped $5 billion for the first time in state history.

Rep. Hodges Joining Southern Bancorp Bank

Freshman State Rep. Monte Hodges (D-Osceola) is following the footsteps of State Rep. Darrin Williams (D-Little Rock). Hodges was named Vice President of Commercial Lending for Southern Bancorp Bank’s North…

Judge Rhonda Wood To Seek Supreme Court Seat

Judge Rhonda Wood of Conway announced that she will be a candidate for the Arkansas Supreme Court, Position 3 in 2014. The seat is currently being held by Cliff Hoofman…

Beebe Says Unemployment Fund In The Black, Paying Back Fed Debt

Nearly two years after the state’s unemployment insurance (UI) trust fund found itself $360 million in the hole, Gov. Mike Beebe (D) says the jobless safety net has paid back…