Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Congressional Delegation Headed To Panama, Colombia On Trade Trip

U.S. Senators Mark Pryor (D) and John Boozman (R) and Cong. Rick Crawford (R) are heading south of the border.

Legislators Describe Health Insurance Experiences, Perspectives

In the coming months, state lawmakers and key constitutional officers will be making critical decisions on Arkansans’ options for health insurance through Medicaid, an insurance exchange, or the pure free market. Interestingly, all state elected officials have the ability to opt into a generous state health insurance plan and more than half have done just that.

July State Revenues Rise On Income Tax Strength

Arkansas’ first month of tax revenue in the new fiscal year was a net positive.

Hospital Group Says Economic Impact $10.3 Billion Annually

The Arkansas Hospital Association (AHA) released an economic impact study that suggests the health care industry in Arkansas accounts for 75,000 jobs and generates up to $10.3 billion in annual economic activity.

GOP E-mail Tips Hand On Republican Majority Strategy

A House Republican leader has emailed GOP candidates encouraging them to sign a “no new tax pledge” to help in their campaign fundraising efforts and because tax hikes won’t be proposed under a Republican majority, although an exemption in the pledge would allow for wiggle room.

Key Discusses GOP Medicaid Concerns, Urges Caution On Ballot Petition Reforms

State Sen. Johnny Key (R-Mountain Home) says his Republican colleagues are advocating a slower approach to Medicaid reform to test assumptions about economic projections and to ensure a more accurate budgeting process.

Barth: A History Of Direct Democracy In Arkansas

In a recent Arkansas Times column, Dr. Jay Barth, professor of political science at Hendrix College, explores the history of how Arkansas’ ballot and initiative process has evolved.

Democrats Pinning Hopes On Beebe Coattails

He’s the most popular Democratic elected official in the state and party officials and candidates are making strong efforts to tie themselves to Gov. Mike Beebe.

Jindal Tells Republicans That Arkansas Can Turn Red

Arkansas Republicans heard from a potential Vice-presidential nominee, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who told the partisan crowd that Obama’s one term as President should be his last.

Weekend Digest: Obama, Mitt And ‘Another Fine Mess’

Mitt Romney and Barack Obama have competing views for the role of government. Are they boxed in to permanent positions?

AG McDaniel Settles Million Dollar Case For Medicaid

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said that Arkansas and other states have reached an agreement with the McKesson Corp. to settle allegations that McKesson reported inflated pricing data for prescription drugs and caused state Medicaid programs to overpay for those drugs.

Secretary of State Martin Eyeing Investigation Of Petition Signatures

With eyebrows raised by the high invalidation rate of signatures on several potential ballot issues, the Secretary of State’s office said Thursday it may call for an investigation after a grace period to collect more signatures is completed.

Griffin-led Measure To Freeze Regulations Passes House

Second District Rep. Tim Griffin (R) did something few freshman lawmakers ever do – he passed a bill that he was the lead sponsor on.

Republicans Ask DHS, Governor For Medicaid Reforms, Slower Process

Republican legislative leaders in the House and Senate asked the Beebe administration to slow the process for a potential Medicaid expansion and to consider a laundry list of reforms.

Casino Proposal Facing Long, Tough Odds

A proposal to expand casino gambling in Arkansas looks like a long-shot to make the ballot and it will have to beat the odds to gain passage from Arkansas voters.

Sheffield Nelson “Suspends” Severance Tax Increase Campaign

Sheffield Nelson said he would “suspend” his campaign to raise the state’s severance tax to a flat 7%.

Casino Amendment Falls Far Short Of Needed Signatures

A proposal to expand casino gambling in Arkansas fell far short in its efforts but gained a 30-day extension to make it up ground, according to Secretary of State Mark Martin’s office.

Voters Not Sold On Tax Hikes For Roads

Two tax proposals to raise money for road construction both trail among voters, and public sentiment has not changed dramatically for either measure since March.

Delta Irrigation Projects May Be Mothballed

The congressional ban on earmarks is closing the spigot on federal funding for two major water projects critical to eastern Arkansas farmers.

Benton County ‘Wet’ Supporters Surpass Signature Threshold

A group pushing for a November election to allow retail alcohol sales in Benton County received approval that its signature petitions have met the legal threshold to qualify for the ballot.