Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Omnibus Health Insurance Package Being Prepared

A package of perhaps 10 bills is being prepared to help Arkansas implement aspects of the controversial federal health care reform law passed by Congress last year.

Final Prison Bill Appeasing Prosecutors’ Concerns

In the end, it looks like Gov. Mike Beebe will get his man – or men, we should say.

Talk Business Poll: Support For Prison Revisions Widespread

Drafts and revisions of a comprehensive prison and sentencing reform measure have been circulating the halls of the state capitol for weeks, but the basic concept behind the overhaul may have solidified in voters’ minds already.

Governor Discusses Medicaid Waiver With Feds

It has received little attention in this legislative session because it is not a top session concern this year, but the state’s Medicaid system is headed towards the brink of disaster.

Democrats’ New Chairman Formulating Plans To Reverse 2010 Losses

Will Bond, the former Jacksonsville legislator and new chairman of the Democratic Party of Arkansas, understands pressure.

Secretary Of State Unveils Redistricting Web Site

Secretary of State Mark Martin has launched a website to share information on the redistricting process about to take place in Arkansas.

Redrawing Congressional Lines A Likely Partisan Divide

Publicly and privately, state lawmakers – who are charged with redrawing Congressional District lines – are outlining the high-stakes risks and rewards that could influence Arkansas’ federal elections for the next decade.

Legislators & Governor Still Have A Lot Of Heavy Lifting To Do

With nearly two months of the regular session in the rear view mirror, there still remains a lot of unresolved issues that the 88th General Assembly and Gov. Mike Beebe must address. Consider:

Beebe Senate Ally, Livestock & Poultry Commissioner Dies

Former state legislator and Gov. Beebe confidante Jon Fitch, director of the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission, passed away after complications from a stroke, Talk Business has confirmed.

Vacated House Seat Candidates Set At 7

The filing period for House District 54 closed at noon today and 7 candidates have declared their intentions to run.

Speaker’s Race For 2013 Surfacing

If you don’t subscribe to our Friday Arkansas Report, you’re missing out on valuable inside political scoop. Click here to check out the details and subscribe.

House Speaker Details $2.8 Billion Highway Plan

Minutes before threatening weather and possible tornadoes moved through the capital city, House Speaker Robert Moore unveiled his plans for a major highway program that could be a political lightning rod.

In fact, an hour after his press conference, lightning struck the capitol dome.

Purcell Headed To Louisiana For Higher Ed Post

As we reported on Sunday, Arkansas’ director of Higher Education, Dr. Jim Purcell, is headed to Louisiana to take a comparable post.

New Democratic Chair: No Way To Draw Minority Congressional Seat

Will Bond, the new chairman of the Democratic Party of Arkansas, is our guest on this week’s upcoming episode of Talk Business.

General Improvement Funds Expected To Be Small, If At All

For a lot of readers, we offer a simple primer on General Improvement Funds, a lower-profile aspect to the budgeting process that involves a lot of internal politics in the state capitol power structure.

Brawner: House Decided Money Does Grow On Trees

Stephens Media columnist Steve Brawner examines the budding similarities between the state legislature and the federal Congress.

A Fifth Filing For Open House Seat

A fifth candidate filed for an open House seat on Wednesday, just two days before filing closes.

Federal Transportation Leader Coming To Jonesboro

U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman John Mica will hold a "listening session" in Jonesboro on Thursday, Feb. 24.

Proposed Constitutional Amendments Will Get Airing

Eight proposed constitutional amendments will get their first public screening in a House subcommittee on Wednesday.

Womack Says ‘gut-check’ Votes Coming

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack (R-Rogers) was right in the middle of the latest grueling vote to cut $100 billion in federal government spending, but he warned state business leaders on Tuesday (Feb. 22) that two votes later in the year will be equally gut-wrenching.