by - September 16, 2015 8:03 pm
Let teachers teach
I’ll never forget what one of the best public school teachers I ever knew said about performance programs and those results. “If I had taken the career path to follow…
Tag: Maylon Rice
by - May 10, 2015 8:27 pm
No ‘team’ in Cotton (Updated)
Editor’s note: This essay has been edited to reflect that Sen. Cotton did indeed address the media following his lone “No” vote, and that Sen. Cotton called out the other…
by - April 26, 2015 5:30 pm
Grading the new Governor
While the 90th General Assembly finally ended this past week, Gov. Asa Hutchinson quietly celebrated his 100th day as Arkansas’ 46th Governor. He appears this month on the cover of…
by - April 15, 2015 7:26 pm
A nice bump for Gov. Hutchinson
The latest poll out from Talk Business & Politics, Hendrix College and Impact Management Group give Gov. Asa Hutchinson a significant 11% jump to a 63% approval rating. The 11%…
by - April 6, 2015 4:35 pm
High hopes for Arkansas’ new task forces
The five appointed Task Forces created by Gov. Asa Hutchinson may indeed change Arkansas governance. This Task Force governance procedure is also a bold political and policy venture. It is…
by - March 29, 2015 2:23 pm
A chance for no vetoes
Despite several versions of on-line petitions and even a harsh rebuke from the chairman of the Democratic Party of Arkansas, Gov. Asa Hutchinson will not issue a “veto” this session….
by - March 22, 2015 10:45 pm
No amendments for the 2016 ballot?
Startling word leaked out of the state Capitol this past week. Arkansas voters in November 2016 may not face a referred Constitutional Amendment submitted by the Legislature of the 90th…
by - March 15, 2015 10:44 am
A flowery anchor for Crystal Bridges
Back in November there were hints, niggling little bits of rumor, that the world’s most famous painting of jimson weed (Datura stramonium) might be coming to Bentonville. And sure enough…
by - March 8, 2015 7:09 pm
Re-homing should be illegal
A loud public outcry has risen this past week over the revelation that Rep. Justin Harris, R-West Fork and his spouse, Marsha, after legally adopting two young girls, “gave” these…
by - March 1, 2015 5:15 pm
A death penalty alternative
This past week, retired Circuit Judge David Burnett, now state Senator David Burnett, D-Osceola, let his temper get the best of him. He openly castigated a remark made by one…
by - February 22, 2015 5:10 pm
A warning about a full time Legislature
It is not too often one sees a veteran lawmaker like State Sen. Keith Ingram, D-West Memphis kicking up dust about legislative salaries. But this past week the long-time public…
by - February 9, 2015 3:30 pm
Big pay raises for the elected class
The Independent Citizens Commission has set the proposed pay increases for state legislators, judges and constitutional officers. Everyone needs to take a big deep breath and read on. The pay…
by - February 1, 2015 2:29 pm
Undoing the double holiday
Nate Bell of Mena is not going to quit in his efforts to dislodge the dual celebration of Robert E. Lee and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., celebrated on the…
by - January 25, 2015 12:17 pm
The politics of ‘AsaCare’
The long awaited speech by Gov. Asa Hutchinson on his health care plans for the state “surprised many people,” said state Rep. Greg Leding, D-Fayetteville, one of the few surviving…
by - January 18, 2015 6:03 pm
Gearhart did go home again
A surprise announcement came about this past week when G. David Gearhart, the chancellor of the University of Arkansas, announced he would resign on July 31. A national search for…
by - January 12, 2015 6:15 pm
The lottery fix (maybe)
There is always a perceived “prize” or bragging rights for the member of the Arkansas General Assembly filing the biggest and most complex bill every session of the Legislature. Forget…
by - January 4, 2015 11:43 pm
Hutchinson and a history lesson
As the inauguration of Asa Hutchinson, Arkansas’ 45th Governor, draws near, there are hints of a central theme emerging for the inauguration which may not be new, but may flavor…
by - December 28, 2014 6:30 pm
Rutledge’s legal stand
It came as no surprise this week that the soon-to-be Attorney General of Arkansas, Leslie Rutledge, has not changed her mind or her campaign mantra. Her personal and legal steadfastness…
by - December 21, 2014 4:55 pm
Beebe leaving with a stunning image
This week with little fanfare, Gov. Mike Beebe amid a gathering of friends and holiday well-wishers, unveiled his formal portraiture as the 44th Governor of Arkansas. Have you seen it?…
by - December 14, 2014 5:40 pm
Asa and his code language
Ella Beth may have told her Pap paw Asa that computer coding was easy. But this week, Asa Hutchinson, aka Pap paw Asa and the Arkansas governor-elect, met some initial…