Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Is The Legislative Session Nearing A Breakthrough Or Two?

Arkansas lawmakers appear to be slowly easing into their legislative functions nearly three weeks into the 88th General Assembly.

Nelson To Take Over Political Animals Club

Rex Nelson is adding a lot to his plate.

Renewable Energy Researcher Says Arkansas Sitting Pretty

A new study from Duke University and Georgia Tech contends that Arkansas is leading 16 Southern states in renewable energy generation, but is poised to do much more.

Rep. Smith Resigns From Arkansas House

In the end, his legal residence didn’t get him removed from office, but a legal matter did.

State Senator’s Speeding Trip Not Over Yet (updated)

Perry County Sheriff’s Deputy Ray Byrd said it may be as soon as Wednesday (Jan. 26) when the department decides if it will pursue criminal charges against Sen. Bruce Holland, R-Greenwood, for driving through the county at speeds above 100 m.p.h.

Health Care Mandate Bill Gets Defeated

Freshman Rep. David Meeks, R-Conway, failed in his effort to revoke the federal government’s mandate to purchase health insurance.

State Of The Union: Reaction From The Left, Right & Elsewhere

Tuesday night’s State of the Union speech gave us an opportunity to practice a little bipartisanship of our own.

Beebe Could Send Prison Overflow To Louisiana

At a speech to the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association on Monday, Gov. Mike Beebe revealed that the state may send hundreds of its prisoners to Louisiana.

Arkansas Congressional Delegation Chimes In On State Of The Union

With four members of Arkansas six-person Congressional delegation in new offices, Tuesday night’s Presidential State of the Union address will have a new audience.

Health Care Mandate To Take Center Stage

The House Public Health Committee may resemble Barnum and Bailey’s three-ring circus on Tuesday.

Hutchinson Files Bill To Allow Live-stream Of Senate Proceedings

State Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson, R-Little Rock, filed a bill today to allow for live-streaming of Senate committees.

Tolbert: Health Care, Tax Cuts & The Land Of Opportunity

Jason Tolbert with our content partner, The Tolbert Report, joined Talk Business host Roby Brock on this week’s program.

Could New Debt Bail Out Old Debt For Arkansas?

Arkansas business, labor and government leaders are struggling for a solution to a growing $330 million state debt owed to the federal government for borrowed funds to shore up unemployment benefits to jobless workers.

Griffin Named To Foreign Affairs Committee

Second District Congressman Tim Griffin (R) has been named to a third committee, the prestigious House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Highway Commission, Game & Fish Could Lose Independence

A potential constitutional amendment could take away the independence of the Arkansas Highway Commission, Game and Fish Commission, institutions of higher education and provide more legislative control over the state lottery.

Advocates Eye Extension Of Smoking Ban

This session, health advocates and lawmakers may seek to remove exemptions to the state’s clean indoor air act, which bans smoking in most workplaces.

Lawmakers Nix Pay Hikes For Judges, Prosecutors

Members of the legislative Joint Budget Committee voted to nix a 1.86% pay raise for all Arkansas judges and prosecutors this morning.

Game & Fish Selects New Director

Interim director Loren Hitchcock will be the new permanent director of the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

House State Agencies Tackles State Nickname, Live-streaming

Members of the House State Agencies Committee debated the state’s motto and whether or not to live-stream its meetings as two headline-garnering issues took center stage at the capitol.

Congressional Redistricting Could Involve Splitting Counties

Arkansas legislators reconvened to start their second week of the 88th General Assembly tackling the thorny issues of redrawing political boundaries and opening up their committees for Internet viewing.