Intercepting the Football: Blocking Regulators’ Touchdowns in Arkansas

May 23, 2013 2 Comments
dismang-jonathan

A proposed amendment to the Arkansas Constitution would require legislative approval of rules passed by administrative agencies in Arkansas. The resolution, SJR7, has been championed by incoming Senate President Pro Tem Jonathan Dismang. It represents a dramatic shift in power in governance, away from unchecked regulatory authority towards democratic accountability. If ratified by the voters in next year’s general election, this proposed constitutional amendment would require a legislative … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Arkansas Legislature, Arkansas Republicans, Regulatory Reform Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Rep. Bell: “Powder, Lead, Walnut, Brass & Steel”

May 7, 2013 2 Comments
constitution_gun

The following is a guest op-ed by State Representative Nate Bell, a second term legislator from Mena. It was a spring night in the quiet Birmingham, AL suburb of Pleasant Grove.  The year was 1981. I was about 12 years old.  It was one of those nights where the air was perfect and most everyone was sleeping with their windows open.  Pleasant Grove was one of those towns where everyone knew each other. Our neighborhood was quiet and peaceful. Our house had those old crank-out style casement … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Arkansas Legislature, Arkansas Republicans, Gun Rights Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Et Tu, Republicans? No Meaningful Tax Cuts For Arkansans

April 18, 2013 7 Comments
promises_made

For many weeks, the people of Arkansas have been led to believe that once the legislature passed Medicaid expansion, it would then produce significant tax relief. We have documented these assurances in our previous coverage -- and repeatedly emphasized that the cuts were in no way linked to Medicaid expansion as a matter of policy, but perhaps only as a matter of politics. Boy, were we right. As you probably know, the Senate signed off on funding for Medicaid expansion yesterday, signaling … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 General Assembly, Arkansas Legislature, Arkansas Republicans, Economic Policy, Gallery, Tax Reform Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Senator Rapert Presents “Heartbeat Bill”

January 30, 2013 2 Comments

Senator Jason Rapert presented his "heartbeat bill" before the Senate Public Health Committee this morning. Essentially, the bill would outlaw abortions in Arkansas after a fetal heartbeat is detected. I didn't have a great seat for filming -- and my camera's memory filled up right as the discussion got really good -- but here are a few video snippets: You can read the heartbeat bill, SB134, here. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Abortion, Arkansas Legislature, Arkansas Republicans

Rep. Bell Presents “Mileage Reimbursement Fairness Act”

January 30, 2013 Leave a Comment

Rep. Nate Bell (more affectionately known as "the Mena Gnome") presented HB1044 or "The Mileage Reimbursement Fairness Act" before the House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee this morning. The bill makes mileage reimbursement even across the board for all state employees, setting the rate at 42 cents per mile. Historically, state legislators are reimbursed at a higher rate. I happened to be there, so I snagged some video. Enjoy: You can read the full text of HB1044 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 General Assembly, Arkansas Legislature, Arkansas Republicans Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Let There Be Light!

January 21, 2013
More transparency is good for taxpayers.

Perhaps the biggest achievement of the 89th General Assembly so far is the passage of a new rule that will shine more sunlight into legislative proceedings. After 4 years of trying, Rep. Andrea Lea has finally pushed the rule through -- it passed the full House without an opposing vote on Wednesday. The new guideline requires all bills to be public 2 days or, more technically, “two midnights” before they can be voted on by the full House. Bills will be posted online at the legislature’s … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Arkansas Legislature, Arkansas Politics, Arkansas Republicans Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Advancing Arkansas: Incoming Speaker Carter Seeks Tax Reform Debate

January 10, 2013
carter-davy(1)

I recently sat down with incoming Speaker of the House Davy Carter to discuss his plans for the legislative session that begins on Monday. Carter is entering his third and final term as a state representative from Cabot. He was elected as Speaker this past November. Speaker Carter agrees with essentially every other state legislator I have talked to: Medicaid is by far the biggest challenge facing the state. So, how do we fix it? The Speaker declined to offer a specific plan at this point, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Arkansas Legislature, Arkansas Politics, Arkansas Republicans Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Advancing Arkansas: Rep. David Meeks Focusing on Medicaid Reform, State Sovereignty

January 2, 2013
meeks-david

My latest in a series of fantastic interviews with state legislators about their plans for the upcoming session (if I do say so myself) is a conversation with Rep. David Meeks (R-Conway). (Click here to read other interviews from this series). Meeks, an AAI Friend of Freedom, is entering his second term in the Arkansas House. His stated goals for the session are “to continue to advance the conservative agenda that I promised to my constituents.” That sounds all well and good, but what … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Arkansas Legislature, Arkansas Politics, Arkansas Republicans Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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