Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Weekend Digest: Mad Men, The Comeback Kids & Jackie Robinson’s Untold Story

For our weekend business and political readers: POPULAR TV SHOW A MAGNET FOR BUSINESS The sixth season of AMC’s “Mad Men” premiered last Sunday, and along with it cash registers…

Speaker Carter Delays Funding Vote On ‘Private Option’ Until Monday

House Speaker Davy Carter (R-Cabot) issued the following statement around noon on Friday: “After numerous conversations with members and careful consideration, House leadership has decided it is in the best…

Griffin, Crawford Enter ‘Private Option’ Expansion Debate

GOP Congressmen Tim Griffin and Rick Crawford have both injected themselves in the Arkansas legislature’s debate on the “private option.”

House Approves ‘Private Option’ Bill, But Funding Uncertain

The Arkansas House of Representatives comfortably passed a bill that spells out the framework for a “private option” health insurance plan that would use Medicaid expansion funds to subsidize private…

Return Of The Blue Hog Report

The famed Blue Hog Report blog appears poised for resurrection. The blog, once guided by liberal blogger Matt Campbell, is promoting the date “5.1.13” on its home page. Campbell tells…

AG McDaniel Receives ExxonMobil Documents By Deadline

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel (D) got what he asked for – and then some – from ExxonMobil in the wake of a major pipeline oil spill that occurred near Mayflower…

Constitutional Panel Refers Two More Proposals

A Joint committee of the legislature referred two more proposed constitutional amendments for potential voter consideration and failed a measure previously expected to easily garner committee support.

Sen. Files Explains Private Option-Tax Cut Ties

State Sen. Jake Files (R-Fort Smith) says that the “private option” debate in the House will dictate which road a tax cut package may move. Files, who appeared on Talk…

Another Record Month For EGS Wagers At Oaklawn, Southland

Electronic games of skill wagers at Oaklawn and Southland continued their hot streak in March as the two casino-style venues set record highs for the second consecutive month. The latest…

Asa Hutchinson Makes Formal Announcement For Governor; Raises $350,000 In Q1

Former Third District Congressman Asa Hutchinson, who has previously said he would seek the GOP nomination for Governor in 2014, made it official today via Twitter. He also reported raising…

Rep. Burris: Room For Tax Cuts With Or Without Private Option

Rep. John Burris (R-Harrison), chairman of the House Public Health Committee and an architect of the GOP-led “private option” health insurance expansion plan, said he believes there is room for…

National Journal: Mike Ross To Launch Gubernatorial Campaign April 17

It’s been one of the worst kept secrets in Arkansas politics. Former Arkansas Congressman Mike Ross (D) plans to announce he’ll seek the Democratic nomination for Governor in 2014 on…

Full House Convenes For ‘Private Option’ Q&A

The Arkansas House of Representatives met for more than two hours in a “committee of the whole” on Monday (April 8) to discuss a Republican plan to reform the state’s…

‘Private Option’ Funding Language Embedded In DHS Budget Bill

A major question mark for funding the “private option” health insurance expansion through federal Medicaid funds was answered on Monday (April 8). On Monday morning, the Special Language committee amended…

House Approves Big River Steel Bill (UPDATED)

A companion bill to an already approved Senate measure that would provide a bond issue and the terms of the agreement for the Big River Steel Mill superproject passed the…

Film Commissioner Says New Incentives Already Paying Dividends

Arkansas Film Commissioner Christopher Crane says that new incentives approved by the state legislature are already paying dividends.

KARK, Talk Business To Launch Sunday Morning Politics Program

KARK is set to launch a weekly political roundtable show next Sunday (April 14) focused on issues that impact Arkansans. The broadcast, titled “Capitol View,” will be hosted by David…

Weekend Digest: The Roger Ebert Edition

For our weekend business and political readers, a round-up of national and international news stories and analysis: INTERNAL PROBE STALLS WAL-MART’S PROGRESS IN INDIA The Wall Street Journal reports that…

Panel Refers Ethics-Term Limits Amendment For Consideration

A joint meeting of Senators and Representatives referred only one proposed constitutional amendment for a potential 2014 vote – a measure that would alter ethics rules for lawmakers, dictate pay for elected officials and extend term limits.

First Oil Spill Lawsuit Filed Against Exxon Mobil

One week after the Mayflower oil spill, a federal lawsuit has been filed on behalf of two plaintiffs, Kathryn Jane Roachell Chunn and Kimla Greene, two Mayflower residents affected by…