Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

From Prime Ministers To Plumbers: Ua Opens Hammerschmidt Papers

The documents former U.S. Rep. John Paul Hammerschmidt (R) collected during his more than 25 years in Congress took more than six years to organize and index — and the index is contained in two large books that total 904 pages.

Little Rock Voters Support Penny Tax Increase

For the first time since 1994, Little Rock city voters approved a tax increase that was supported by Mayor Mark Stodola and city business leaders.

Holland Disputes Charges, Evidence: ‘math Does Not Lie’

Sen. Bruce Holland, R-Greenwood, has no plans to resign his Senate seat and is willing to take the political risk that may come from appealing part of his sentencing related to a January high-speed chase through Perry County.

Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt Underway

State Auditor Charlie Daniels (D) kicked off the Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt, the annual effort to reunite nearly 58,000 Arkansans with abandoned cash, stocks, bonds, jewelry and other assets.

Mcdaniel Issues Opinion On Higher Ed Post

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel (D) released a much-anticipated opinion about the director’s position of the Arkansas Dept. of Higher Education.

Tom Cotton Recalls 9/11 Inspiration

Fourth District Congressional candidate, Tom Cotton (R-Dardanelle), says the events of 9/11 reshaped his career path and public service direction.

Broadway Withdraws As Candidate For Higher Ed Post (updated)

Former State Sen. and Lt. Governor candidate Shane Broadway (D) has withdrawn his candidacy for director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) citing his wife’s health as the reason.

Arkansas Congressional Leaders Respond To Obama Jobs Speech

Arkansas’ Congressional officials weighed in with remarks on Pres. Obama’s speech regarding job creation. Although there was bi-partisan acknowledgement, there was also tough language, espeically from Rep. Steve Womack (R), who said the speech "came across as a lecture."

Here are everyone’s released remarks with the exception of Sen. John Boozman (R) who has yet to comment publicly.

U.S. Senator Mark Pryor (D)

Our economy is paralyzed, and there is no quick cure. There are however, steps we can take to promote private sector hiring and put Americans back to work. Short-term initiatives, such as small business tax incentives or infrastructure investments could help stabilize the economy.

Obama Talking Points Make The Rounds, Tax Changes Central Focus For Jobs

The White House has released early talking points on Pres. Obama’s jobs speech for tonight. For a sneak preview, here is what the President will propose in his American Jobs Act:

Cut taxes for small businesses, the engines of job creation, to help them hire and grow;
Put more money in the pockets of working and middle class Americans;
Put more people back to work — teachers laid off from state budget cuts, veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, first responders, and constructions workers rebuilding our roads and bridges, and schools; and
Help the long term unemployed, by helping them support their families while they look for work and reforming the system to better connect them to real jobs.

Obama’s talking points say that the jobs push will be "fully paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes and asking the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share," although there is no dollar amount assigned to where that tax increase may begin. Most likely, Obama will push to allow for an expiration of the Bush tax cuts.

Sen. Holland Found Guilty In High-speed Chase Case

Arkansas Sen. Bruce Holland, R-Greenwood, has been found guilty of three misdemeanor counts related to a January high-speed chase through Perry County.

Causey Rules Out 2012 Congressional Run

The 2010 Democratic nominee for the First Congressional District, Chad Causey, says he won’t challenge Rep. Rick Crawford (R), who beat Causey in last year’s election.

Attorney General Reviewing Opinion On Broadway

Republican legislators complained that Democratic Attorney General Dustin McDaniel was delaying his opinion on a controversial gubernatorial appointment, but McDaniel’s office says a decision is just days away.

Justice Bob Brown To Retire From Supreme Court

Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Robert L. Brown said he will retire from the state’s high court effective January 1, 2013.

Brummett: Firing Away For Labor Day

Arkansas News Bureau columnist John Brummett takes to his occasional firing of up and down arrows in an effort to assess Arkansas’ political landscape.

Arkansas Firms Getting Health Insurance Subsidies For Early Retirees

David Kinkade with The Arkansas Project has been toiling on a variety of subjects since restarting his once-defunct blog this summer.

House Democrats Craft A Game Plan

We’ve reported on a number of efforts by the House GOP in their attempt to take the majority in the 100-member chamber, but Democrats have been strategizing, too.