Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Weekend Digest: The Republican Week In Review

The Republican convention in Tampa ended last week. Here’s a handy round-up of political insight from around the country.

Americans For Prosperity Hits Democratic Candidates With Mailer On Diesel Fuel Tax

If there was ever any doubt outside groups would play in state legislative races this fall, you can erase it.

Huckabee Touts Former Rival Romney At GOP Convention

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee — now a prominent national media mogul in the conservative movement — held a prime-time speaking slot at the Republican National Convention to tout GOP Presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

Beebe Names Conway’s Ancil Lea To Head Health IT Coordination

Gov. Mike Beebe (D) announced that Ancil Lea of Conway will be the new Coordinator for the Arkansas Office of Health Information Technology (OHIT).

Boozman, Pryor, Womack Secure $10 Million For XNA

U.S. Senators Mark Pryor (D) and John Boozman (R) and Third District Congressman Steve Womack (R) announced that the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport will receive $10 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to rehabilitate its runway and enhance airfield operations.

Cong. Griffin Speaks To GOP Convention Crowd

Arkansas’ Second District Cong. Tim Griffin (R) spoke in the early afternoon session to the Republican National Convention in Tampa. Griffin carried the GOP’s theme of “we can do better”…

Stan Witt To Head Arkansas State Police

Gov. Mike Beebe (D) named Stan Witt of Austin as the new director of the Arkansas State Police on Monday (Aug. 27).

Gov. Beebe, House GOP Continue Medicaid Posturing

In an uncoordinated effort, Gov. Mike Beebe (D) and House Minority Leader Bruce Westerman (R-Hot Springs) used their weekly radio addresses to discuss approaches to Medicaid reform.

Shackelford: Medical Marijuana Effort Under The Radar

Scott Shackelford, opinion writer with our content partner The City Wire checks in on the quiet debate centered on this year’s medicinal marijuana proposal. So far, it has been a…

Congressman Griffin In The National Spotlight

Second District Cong. Tim Griffin (R) will have a high-profile role at the upcoming GOP convention in Tampa.

Weekend Digest: GOP Convention Goers Get Ready For Tough Talk

For our weekend political readers: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRESIDENT OBAMA’S MEDICARE PLAN & MITT ROMNEY’S? That’s what you can find out by reading a very revealing story in the…

Shaping The Health Care Debate: Beebe, McDaniel, Darr All On State Insurance Plans

As state legislators debate potential changes to health insurance reform in Arkansas, key constitutional officers will also have a role in the debate.

Casino Proposal Ballot Title Rejected, Court Battle To Ensue

Secretary of State Mark Martin (R) rejected a substitute ballot title for a casino gambling proposal and the measure’s main proponent vowed a court challenge.

Medical Marijuana Proposal Approved For Voter Consideration

Arkansans will decide whether or not to allow for legalized medicinal marijuana this November in a debate likely to pit medical compassion versus morality and law and order.

Large Crowd Rallies To Support 188th Fighter Wing

Fort Smith sent a message to U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes, R-Va., on Tuesday night (Aug. 21) at the Defending Our Defenders Listening Session. Hundreds of citizens, including civic leaders, city…

Nancy Todd Casino Proposal Expected To Surpass Signature Goal

After altering her ballot title, casino supporter Nancy Todd says she expects to turn in more than 100,000 signatures in her effort to submit a casino proposal to Arkansas voters. However, the road to the November ballot remains no sure-fire bet.

Sheffield Nelson’s Severance Tax Effort Officially Ends, For Now

The deadline for additional signatures for a November campaign to raise the state’s severance tax will pass and the effort will come to an end for now.

Cong. Tim Griffin To Speak At GOP National Convention

Arkansas' Second District Congressman Tim Griffin (R) will speak at the 2012 Republican National Convention next Monday in Tampa, Florida. Griffin will speak on the first day of the four-day…

Who Would Be Helped By A Medicaid Expansion?

John Lyon with the Arkansas News Bureau examines who would qualify for coverage under a Medicaid expansion — a hot topic of debate among state legislators and Gov. Mike Beebe.

Weekend Digest: Presidential Politics Gets Personal

For our weekend political readers: WHY IS ARKANSAS SO POOR? The Washington Post's Chris Cilliza has a good post referencing another blogger at his The Fix site. The post explores…