Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Medicaid Cuts Looming In Beebe Budget

On Thursday, Gov. Mike Beebe’s balanced budget will be proposed, but state lawmakers received a sneak preview of one of the most problematic trouble spots on Tuesday.

Post-election Poll: What Motivated The Arkansas Voter?

Talk Business and Hendrix College conducted its first post-election survey to further understand the motivations and demographics of Arkansas voters in last Tuesday’s election cycle.

Tolbert And Cook Assess Election Outcomes

Talk Business bloggers Jason Tolbert and Michael Cook assessed the outcomes of last Tuesday’s elections on this week’s edition of our television and radio programs. Last week, Republicans won the…

House Schedules New Speaker Vote, Sets Committee Assignments

On Friday, Speaker of the Arkansas House Robert Moore (D-Arkansas City) scheduled an organizational meeting to choose the chamber’s leader for the 2013 General Assembly.

Weekend Digest: After The Elections

For our weekend political readers: ARE SUPER PACS GETTING THEIR BANG FOR THE BUCKS? Marketplace proposes an interesting question. Are super PACS a good return on investment? This election, there…

Arkansas State Senate Makes Committee Assignments

The Arkansas State Senate, under Republican control for the first time since the post-Civil War era, selected its committee assignments and allowed members to draw for two- or four-year terms….

State Senators Draw For Two-Year, Four-Year Terms

After the once-a-decade legislative redistricting process, Senators have to draw for two-year or four-year terms in order to stagger terms for members of the 35-seat chamber. On Thursday in their…

Sen. Files Set For ‘Baptism By Fire’ As Chair Of Tax Committee

Sen. Jake Files, R-Fort Smith, was selected Thursday (Nov. 8) as the chairman of the powerful Senate Revenue and Tax committee, a job he admits will be a “baptism by fire” but says he is focused on “sound policy” that benefits the state for decades to come.

Lamoureux Replaces Teague As Senate President For 2013

With Republican gains in the Arkansas Senate sweeping them into the majority, GOP State Senators replaced their designated President with one of their own. Sen. Michael Lamoureux (R-Russellville) was chosen…

Democrat L.J. Bryant To Contest House District 52 Election

The closely-contested race for House District 52, which could determine control of the Arkansas House, is headed for a recount. L.J. Bryant, the Democratic nominee who trails by 44 votes…

Gov. Beebe Expects Bipartisanship In GOP Legislature

One day after Republicans made historic gains and appear in control of both chambers of the General Assembly, Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe said he expects bipartisanship to be the order of the day in both chambers.

Voters Approve Road Tax, Defeat Marijuana, Financing Measures

Arkansas voters approved a temporary half-cent sales tax for highways, while rejecting proposals to allow for medical marijuana and to give cities and counties more financing tools. Issue No. 1…

Romney Cruises, Republicans Sweep All 4 Congressional Seats

Arkansas Republicans made history on election night with historic victories in all four of the state’s Congressional districts. Reps. Rick Crawford, Tim Griffin and Steve Womack coasted to victories in…

GOP Picks Up State Senate, But House Control Remains In Question

Republicans firmly won the Arkansas State Senate for the first time since Reconstruction, but control of the Arkansas House is still an undecided matter. A popular Democratic Governor also suggests that state government could function with a new level of division.