Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Sen. Gilbert Baker: An Eye On Higher Ed

State Sen. Gilbert Baker, co-chair of the powerful Joint Budget Committee outlines his priorities for the fiscal session.

No Big Surprises With Beebe Budget, Key Leaders Share Priorities

There were no big surprises in Gov. Mike Beebe’s (D) FY 2013 budget proposal, but key budget leaders expressed ideas for additional spending priorities.

Tom Cotton Says $500,000 Mark Reached, Clark Hall Clears $131,000

Fourth District Republican Congressional challenger Tom Cotton said his campaign has raised more than $540,000 in five months, including close to $200,000 in the fourth quarter.

Brummett: Obama A Drag, But Romney Won’t Inspire

Political columnist John Brummett says this year’s Presidential election poses problems for state Democrats and Republicans.

Dr. Martin Luther King’s Dream Speech Still Strikes A Chord

On the King holiday, we offer a look at this great American’s finest speech. What significance do his words carry today?

Free Trade Stirs Conversation Among Elected Officials

The subject of free trade recently made its way into conversation among the state’s local and federal elected officials.

College Republicans Plan Twitter Debate For Fourth District

The Arkansas Federation of College Republicans (AFCR) announced a Fourth District Congressional GOP debate using Twitter, the popular social media platform.

Thursday Night Poll Pits Griffin Versus Halter

Somebody is gauging a Second Congressional District match-up between Rep. Tim Griffin (R) and former Lt. Governor Bill Halter (D).

Speaker Moore Asks Committee Chairs To Keep Session Business on Budget

House Speaker Robert Moore asked his committee chairmen to remain focused on budget matters in the upcoming fiscal session, including a request that no interim study proposals be brought before standing committees.

Lawmakers Debate Tax Changes, Chairman Calls For Broad Policy Definition

Sen. Jason Rapert (R-Bigelow) used Thursday’s interim Revenue and Tax Committee to push for tax incentives for impoverished regions of Arkansas, but the committee chairman challenged the committee to think about broader tax policy issues.

Robertson To Run For Appeals Court

Jeannette Robertson, 57, has announced she will run for the Arkansas Court of Appeals, District 1, Position 2.

Governor’s Workforce Cabinet Announces STEM Works Schools

An initiative promoted by Gov. Mike Beebe (D) to meet worker demands in high-tech fields announced that 15 Arkansas school districts have qualified for a new pilot funding program.

First Congressional District Sees A Little Early-year Activity

Nobody is taking the gloves off yet, but there were some moves in the First Congressional District during the first full week of 2012.

Griffin Nearing Half-Million Dollar Mark At Year’s End

Rep. Tim Griffin, R-Little Rock, completed his fourth quarter fundraising with more than $175,000 raised during the period.

Legislative Preview: 2012 Fiscal Session Could Get Feisty

Arkansas lawmakers will convene in February for a legislative session that will focus on budget matters, but there will be much more than number-crunching going on.

GOP Congressional Candidates Focus on D.C. in El Dorado

The first official GOP Congressional debate in the Fourth District was short on fireworks, but long on reasons to return the seat to Republican hands.

Rep. Ross Reinforces Fight Against Post Office Closings

This might be the final full year for U.S. Rep. Mike Ross, D-Prescott, in the U.S. House, but he appears eager to continue a fight against U.S. Postal Service plans to close numerous facilities in Arkansas.

Tolbert & Cook Weigh In On 2012 Politics

Talk Business bloggers Jason Tolbert and Michael Cook weighed in on several political topics of 2011 and 2012 on this week’s TV and radio program.

Griffin Decries Air Force Snub Of Hawker Beechcraft

U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin, D-Little Rock, questioned why the U.S. Air Force awarded a $355 million contract to a foreign competitor of Hawker Beechcraft, which has a plant in Little Rock.

LobbyUp and Talk Business To Live-stream Fourth District GOP Debate

The Union County Republican Committee (UCRC) will partner with two of Arkansas’ top political groups, LobbyUp and Talk Business, to sponsor the first Republican Fourth Congressional District debate on Monday, Jan. 9, at the South Arkansas Arts Center in El Dorado.