Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Gov. Beebe Vetoes Voter ID Bill

Gov. Mike Beebe (D) issued his third veto of the 89th General Assembly rejecting a divisive voter ID bill that would require photo proof at the polls to cast a…

Americans For Prosperity Opposes Big River Steel Project

A group originally founded by major investors in the Big River Steel mill project is voicing its opposition to the $1.1 billion deal. On March 21, Americans For Prosperity’s Arkansas…

Asa Hutchinson Talks Governor’s Race, School Safety Initiative

Republican candidate and frontrunner for Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson says Arkansas is much different since his last run for the state’s top elective post and that he has what it takes to win this time around.

AEDC Director Addresses Legislative Reports On Big River Steel

Grant Tennille, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, says if Arkansas lawmakers are adverse to risk, then the Big River Steel superproject and future economic development projects could…

So Where Are We In The Medicaid Debate?

Medicaid expansion may be dead, but the framework for a phoenix plan is alive, under construction, and receiving a lot of attention. Written details are starting to emerge.

Big River Steel Economic Reports Released In Full

The Bureau of Legislative Research released an additional executive summary and two full independent reports regarding the Big River Steel Mill project. What was their assessment? Read for yourself.

Brawner: Arkansas’ Bipartisan Medicaid Fix

Arkansas News Bureau columnist Steve Brawner opines on the bipartisan Medicaid/private option health insurance fix coming to fruition in the state legislature. Brawner notes that the Arkansas plan is not…

Legislative Executive Summary Of Steel Mill Analysis Disclosed (UPDATED)

A legislative report on the Big River Steel mill project offers a second opinion on the state’s $1.1 billion superproject questioning an initial report from Arkansas’ economic development agency. The…

Poll: Ross Leads Halter, Burkhalter In Hypothetical Democratic Match-up (UPDATED)

A new poll shows former Cong. Mike Ross with a sizable lead over former Lt. Gov. Bill Halter and highway commissioner John Burkhalter among Democratic primary voters in the 2014…

House Transportation Panel Stalls Highway Revenue Shift Measure

The House Public Transportation Committee shot down HB 1418, which would shift sales and use tax revenues tied to cars and vehicles from state general revenue to a designated highway…

Nucor Ratchets Up Objections To Big River Steel Project

Nucor Steel is ratcheting up its objections to the Big River Steel superproject, including questions concerning steel capacity, its impact on Nucor’s state tax contributions, and the possibility of moving…

GOP Governor Candidate Curtis Coleman Wants Tax Code Reform, Health Care Patch

Curtis Coleman, who announced in February he’d seek the Republican nomination for Governor in 2014, says he wants to dramatically modify the state’s tax code, decentralize economic development, and provide…

Bill Makes Department of Education State’s Charter School Authorizer

A bill that would make the Department of Education, rather than the State Board of Education, the authorizer for granting and revoking charter school status passed the Senate Education Committee…

Gov. Beebe Appoints 26 To Boards And Commissions

Gov. Mike Beebe (D) announced the following appointments to boards and commissions: Don Anderson, Rogers, reappointed to the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board. Appointment expires January 14, 2017. Patricia Bentley, Magnolia,…

Voter ID Bill Heads To Governor

A day of controversy eventually led to a bill requiring a photo ID to vote being sent to Governor Mike Beebe (D) for consideration. SB2 by Sen. Bryan King (R-Green…

Bipartisan Group Touts New Jobs Bill

Rep. Darrin Williams (D-Little Rock) and Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R-Searcy) touted HB 1832, the Arkansas New Markets Job Act, a bill both men say could lead to significant investments in…

Sen. King: Voter ID Will Safeguard Clean Elections

Editor’s note: This commentary appears courtesy of Sen. Bryan King (R-Green Forest), who represents District 5 in northwest Arkansas. This article first appeared in the latest magazine issue of Talk…

Sen. Elliott: Voter ID Addresses A Phantom Problem

Editor’s note: This commentary appears courtesy of Sen. Joyce Elliott (D-Little Rock), who represents District 31 in central Arkansas. This article first appeared in the latest magazine issue of Talk…

Arkansas Medicaid-Private Option Plan Could Result In ‘No Additional Federal Costs’

Arkansas’ potential plan to move Medicaid participants into insurance exchanges could amount to small change, figuratively speaking.

State Lawmakers Form Aerospace and Aviation Caucus

Over 25 House and Senate members met Monday (March 18) at the State Capitol to form the legislature’s first Aerospace and Aviation Caucus. “We are excited about forming this caucus…