Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Shoffner Appears Before Lawmakers, Deputy Asks About Whistleblower Status

State lawmakers heard from Arkansas Treasurer of State Martha Shoffner (D) on Monday (Sept. 17) to answer questions about her investment policies. At the hearing, a key senior manager in…

Religious Instruction Pre-school Rule Debated

Legislators debating a proposed state rule to limit the use of public funds for religious instruction at Arkansas pre-schools couldn’t find agreement on Monday.

Representatives King And Williams Debate Voter ID And Medicaid Expansion

Reps. Bryan King (R-Green Forest) and Darrin Williams (D-Little Rock) debated the expansion of Medicaid and potential voter ID law changes on this week’s edition of Talk Business.

Congressional Delegation Says XNA Lands $19.5 Million Grant

Senators Mark Pryor (D) and John Boozman (R), along with Congressman Steve Womack (R-Rogers) announced a $19.5 million grant to rehabilitate the runway at the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport.

Weekend Digest: Swing-State Polls Show Obama Lead

For our weekend political readers: NBC/WALL STREET JOURNAL/MARIST POLLS SHOW OBAMA SWING-STATE LEAD After two political conventions and heading into the post-Labor Day sprint, President Barack Obama leads Republican nominee…

Tom Cotton First To TV This Fall

Of the major candidates for election this fall, Fourth District GOP Congressional nominee Tom Cotton appears to be the first to hit the airwaves.

Petition Process For Casino Proposal Like ‘Obstacle Course,’ Lawyer Says

An attorney for casino proponent Nancy Todd argued Thursday before the Arkansas Supreme Court that her ballot petition process has been turned into “an obstacle course,” according to this report…

What’s Motivating The Medicaid Expansion?

Gov. Mike Beebe’s (D) decision to support an expansion of the state’s Medicaid program is re-igniting a health care debate likely to play out in this year’s legislative elections and next year’s budget process.

Gov. Beebe Goes All In On Medicaid Expansion

Gov. Mike Beebe says Arkansas should fully embrace an expansion of its Medicaid program under the auspices of the federal health care law.

Pros And Cons Of Medical Marijuana Debated

Supporters and opponents of medicinal marijuana debated the proposed Arkansas ballot issue in Fort Smith on Monday.

Weekend Digest: The Democratic Week In Review

For our weekend political readers: OBAMA DOWNSIZES THE DREAM Politico’s Glenn Thrush covers the President’s Thursday night speech, an address he says will be summed up by “downsized expectations.” Obama’s…

Sen. Boozman Relays Support For Half-cent Highway Tax Proposal

U.S. Senator John Boozman (R) said on Thursday (Sept. 6) that he personally supports a legislatively-referred temporary half-cent sales tax proposal that would fund Arkansas’ four-lane highways.

Rep. Hudson Hallum Resigns Over Voter Fraud Charges: “I Made Awful Choices”

State Rep. Hudson Hallum (D-Marion) today resigned his House seat and withdrew as a candidate in the 2012 election after entering a guilty plea on a federal charge related to…

Bill Clinton Calls On Country To Stick With Obama

Wednesday night, Former President Bill Clinton delivered a 48-minute sermon to Democrats and the nation calling for four more years of President Barack Obama’s leadership.

Bill Clinton Works Arkansas Crowd At Convention

Native son, former Arkansas Governor and former President Bill Clinton is still the biggest draw for state Democrats.

The Post-Labor Day Political Firestorm

Labor Day is typically the start of the fall campaign season and the holiday is even known for it’s patriotic fireworks. Political fireworks erupted across the state on Tuesday.

House GOP Aiming For School Reforms

Republicans in the Arkansas House of Representatives are considering legislation that could empower an entity other than the state Board of Education to authorize charter schools. Other possible legislation would create a tax credit scholarship program that would enable students to attend private schools.