Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

New Year, New Issues: The 89th General Assembly Convenes

The 89th General Assembly undertakes a number of unique challenges in Gov. Mike Beebe’s final regular session.

Top 10 Legislators To Watch

Obviously, State Senate President Michael Lamoureux (R-Russellville) and House Speaker Rep. Davy Carter (R-Cabot) will be front-and-center in this year’s legislative session. The two history-making Republicans will have the bully…

Weekend Digest: The Presidential Stat Tracker

For our weekend political readers: STAT TRACKER FOR THE PRESIDENT In baseball there is a stat for everything, except for perhaps how many times a guy goes to the bathroom…

Arkansas, Wal-Mart Agree To Health Payment System

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe and officials with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced Thursday (Jan. 10) a health-payment system that could create savings of around $15 million during fiscal year 2014 and…

Speaker-elect Davy Carter Leaving Daily Bank Job

Yesterday, former House Speaker-elect Darrin Williams (D-Little Rock) took a bank job, today incoming Speaker Davy Carter (R-Cabot) exited from one. Carter announced on Thursday (Jan. 10) that he would…

Wal-Mart Goes To Washington To Discuss Gun Control

Wal-Mart Stores is sending an executive to Washington on Thursday (Jan. 10) to meet with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden about the company’s position on the responsible sale of firearms….

Asa Hutchinson Talks Guns, Governor’s Race

Former Third District Congressman Asa Hutchinson discussed placing “an armed presence” in schools on Tuesday (Jan. 8), but stopped short of endorsing the idea of armed teachers in the wake…

McDaniel On Affair: “No Other Shoe To Drop” (UPDATED)

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, the only declared Democrat for Governor, met with the press to answer questions about an admitted affair, declaring he remained in the race and dispelling rumors that he says are unfounded.

Beebe Addresses McDaniel, Medicaid And Last Regular Session

Gov. Mike Beebe on Tuesday (Jan. 8) said Attorney General Dustin McDaniel’s “inappropriate” relationship will be a problem in his gubernatorial bid, but Beebe refused to be drawn into a…

Beebe Willing To Pitch ‘Arkansas Medicaid Plan’ To Feds

A confident, comfortable and cooperative Gov. Mike Beebe (D) said he expects his final regular legislative session to be “just fine” despite Republican majorities in both chambers of the legislature….

Carter, Lamoureux Say Medicaid Cuts Avoidable With Surplus Money

In a pre-session interview, Speaker-elect Rep. Davy Carter (R) and Sen. Michael Lamoureux (R) said they favored using existing surplus funds and projected revenue growth to shore up a projected…

Talk Politics With Gov. Mike Beebe

Tuesday morning, January 8, at 10 a.m., Talk Business Arkansas will launch its latest installment of “Talk Politics,” our Q&A session with Gov. Mike Beebe (D). If you want to…

Asa Hutchinson Says He “Intends” To Run For Governor In 2014

Three-time statewide candidate and former Arkansas Congressman Asa Hutchinson says he expects to be a candidate for Governor in 2014. In an interview with our content partner, the Arkansas News…

Sen. Hutchinson Settles Ethics Case Involving Affair

State Senator Jeremy Hutchinson (R-Little Rock) received a public letter of warning and a $500 fine from the Arkansas Ethics Commission in a case involving undocumented pay to a campaign…

Payroll Quirk Boosts December Tax Revenues

Arkansas revenues climbed 3.9% higher than one year ago at the midway mark in the state’s fiscal year. Through December 2012, year-to-date net available general revenues totaled $2.43 billion, up…

Cong. Cotton Seen As Quick To Succeed In New Congress

Freshman Congressman Tom Cotton (R) garners advance publicity in Politico this morning. Cotton, who was elected in November to represent Arkansas’ Fourth Congressional District, is pegged “most likely to succeed”…

Congress Passes Senate Measure To Deal With ‘Fiscal Cliff’

In a late Tuesday night vote, the U.S. Congress approved a Senate measure to deal with the so-called “fiscal cliff” issue as Arkansas’ four representatives split their votes 2-2. Reps….

Pryor, Boozman Support Senate ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Deal

Arkansas’ two U.S. Senators voted for a tax package that could avoid deep spending cuts and large tax increases threatened by the so-called fiscal cliff. However, the package is opposed…

Five Political Storylines In 2012

In politics, Arkansas had a watershed year that saw the departure of major candidates from immediate future races, while a traditional blue state turned red. Throw in marijuana, casinos, taxes and ethics and it was about what you’d expect – the unexpected.

Livestock & Poultry Director, Former State Senator Steve Bryles Dies

Multiple sources have confirmed that Arkansas Livestock & Poultry Commission director, former State Senator and one-time Congressional candidate Steve Bryles died on Friday morning (Dec. 28). He had been suffering…