Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Brawner: Peering Over The Fiscal Cliff

Steve Brawner, columnist for Stephens Media and a frequent Talk Business contributor, deploys his usual clarity on a major issue that won’t get much real discussion until after the elections.

Payroll Timing Issue Blamed For Lower October Revenues

Arkansas October revenues were thrown off by a payroll timing issue and lower consumer spending, according to state revenue officials.

Massive Conversions In Active Niche

In about two weeks, Gov. Mike Beebe (D) will present his balanced budget to the Arkansas General Assembly, but balancing a potential $400 million Medicaid shortfall will be a tough act.

ONE Campaign Rooted In Arkansas Connections

Michael Elliott, CEO for the ONE Campaign – a nonprofit working to eradicate poverty and disease and co-founded by rock star Bono – was in Arkansas last week. Talk Business executive editor Roby Brock sat down with Elliott for an exclusive one-on-one interview.

Voters Undecided And Unsure On Financing Amendment

Issue No. 2, a legislatively-referred proposed constitutional amendment, doesn’t have a cheerleading group or a set of detractors and that has left voters undecided and unsure of its fate.

Supporters Say Road Tax To Fund Critical Projects

Supporters of a temporary half-cent sales tax increase to help aid and expand the state’s four-lane highway system promoted their cause with the help of a national transportation group on Tuesday.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Political Editor Bill Simmons Dead At 71

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette is reporting that its political editor, Bill Simmons, died Monday at the age of 71.

GOP Candidate Statements On Slavery Remain In Spotlight

Republican legislative candidate statements on slavery and other controversial issues continue to dog party leaders.

Huckabee Leads Republican Rally

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee led a rally for Republicans on Saturday to voice his support for voters to give the Arkansas GOP a legislative majority.

Weekend Digest: In Recess, Congressional Job Approval Rises

For our weekend political readers: LEAVING A MARK “Consider the 44 men who have been president. How many would you say have left an indelible mark?” So how did Lincoln…

Fourth District Candidates Debate On AETN

The four Congressional candidates vying for the seat currently held by Rep. Mike Ross (D) met for a final debate at AETN in Conway on Thursday.

Mike Knoedl Named To Top Game & Fish Post

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission named Mike Knoedl to serve as the agency’s director. Knoedl, who began his career with the AGFC in 1985, has served as the agency’s…

Independent Voters Expressing Strong Republican Lean

Voters in Arkansas who identify as “Independents” consider themselves closer to the Republican Party versus the Democratic Party by a more than 3-to-1 margin.

Brawner: Dollars For Schools Set — This Year

Columnist Steve Brawner offers a primer and prediction of what may happen with the largest line-item in the state’s budget: K-12 education.

First District Candidates Debate Without Cong. Crawford

Minus Rep. Rick Crawford (R), three candidates for U.S. Congress in Arkansas’ First District participated in a debate at AETN’s studios in Conway on Tuesday (Oct. 23). Rob Moritz with…

Griffin, Rule Exchange Grievances In Second District Debate

Second District Congressman Tim Griffin (R) and his Democratic opponent, Herb Rule, mixed it up in Conway on Tuesday (Oct. 23) with two other third party candidates in an AETN…

Beebe Approval High, But Endorsement Coattails May Lag

Gov. Mike Beebe’s job approval ratings remain strong, but the Governor’s popularity may not translate far down the ballot in this November’s elections.

Medical Marijuana Supporters Take To Airwaves

Arkansans for Compassionate Care, the group supporting the medical marijuana initiative, has launched a major media campaign in Arkansas to promote Issue No. 5.