Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Swearing-in For New State Rep Planned

Secretary of State Mark Martin announced today plans for District 24 Representative-Elect Bruce Cozart’s swearing in ceremony.

Another Poll Shows Public Favor For Prison Reform

A coalition of drug treatment advocates, the Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap project, released the results of an early February poll conducted by Oakleaf and Associates that shows strong public support for the concept of prison reform in Arkansas.

Lottery Anticipates Less Revenue, Fewer Scholarships

The Arkansas Lottery Commission approved its next fiscal year budget on Wednesday, anticipating a reduction in revenues and scholarship money.

Could We Have Competing Balanced Budgets?

It’s never happened before.

All Eyes Turn To Federal Health Care… Again (updated)

We knew coming into the session that the state’s efforts to implement federal health care reform would come under fire from a variety of different positions.

Governor’s Medicaid Reform Encountering Apprehension

Gov. Mike Beebe’s efforts to reform the state Medicaid system, which we reported on last week, is encountering initial apprehension from legislators and the medical provider community.

Gop Picks Up Another House Seat

The Republican Party of Arkansas added another member to its House caucus when GOP State Rep. candidate Bruce Cozart defeated Democrat Jerry Rephan in a special election in District 24.

Brummett: The Reform-minded Young Golfers

Political columnist John Brummett with our content partner, the Arkansas News Bureau, reviews the triumphs and tragedies of a band of brothers from days gone by in the Arkansas State Senate.

It’s Sex, Drugs And Rock & Roll At The Capitol

The last day of filing has brought an avalanche of bills into the system. We’d give you a final count, but the list keeps growing.

Legislative Odds & Ends

Monday was one of the busiest days of the 88th Arkansas General Assembly as 304 House bills were filed and 192 Senate bills met the deadline. In total, there are 2,234 bills being debated this session and that doesn’t include any resolutions, which do eat up committee and floor time.

Poll: Beebe Job Approval Still High, Legislature A Rocky Road

Gov. Mike Beebe (D) remains enormously popular among Arkansas voters, an advantage he holds over many of his state counterparts and a potential edge over a less-than popular state legislature.

Poll: Little Support For Highway Referrals

In our latest Talk Business-Hendrix College Poll, we tested two proposed highway initiatives to see if either has any traction, but at the present time supporters of the plans clearly have an uphill battle.

Bills Worth Watching – Part 2

Monday is the deadline for state lawmakers to file potential legislation for consideration. The rush to file brings a flurry of new bills into the system in the waning days before the deadline closes.

Mcdaniel Proposes Start To Apportionment Process

While much attention has been focused on drawing new Congressional lines, the task of legislative redistricting is also at hand.

Tax Cut Bills Tabled In House Committee

Three tax cut bills that passed the full Senate were on trial in a House committee today, but that’s as far as they got.

What’s In The Prison Reform Bill?

All hail, Kelly MacNeil, KUAR’s intrepid capitol reporter who also writes for the radio station’s new blog, Ark Things Considered. We’re a proud content partner with KUAR-FM 89 and you can catch Talk Business on Mondays at 6pm on the Little Rock public radio station.