News and Views on Politics, Policy and More
No doubt many of you have been following the developments surrounding Act 746 or "constitutional carry." You may have seen my interview with ASP spokesman Bill Sadler earlier this week. Yesterday I spoke with Paul Harrell on The Paul Harrell Program about my interview and where we go from here. Take a listen, if you're into that sort of thing. Segment begins around the 1:35:00 mark: Video streaming by Ustream … [Read more...]
You haven’t read about this story in the mainstream media. It wasn’t reported during the legislative session, and perhaps it would never have been reported if it weren’t for The Arkansas Project and the folks at Arkansas Carry. But what you are about to read is the story of what may be the most significant (pro-liberty) accomplishment of the 89th General Assembly. In late February, the legislature considered HB1408, a bill that would have legalized carrying a firearm openly in … [Read more...]
What’re you doing tomorrow? If you said anything other than “Going to hear Cato Institute’s Michael Cannon speak about health care policy at the capitol cafeteria,” you’re doing it wrong. Cannon (yeah, that guy who told us about the death panels) is a national expert on the effects of Obamacare and the consequences of health care exchanges. He will be speaking at a luncheon hosted by Americans For Prosperity-Arkansas. Here’s the skinny: WHO: Michael Cannon, Cato … [Read more...]
Yesterday, as previously reported, the raw milk bill (HB 1536) was defeated by the House Ag Committee. But before the bill was defeated on a roll call vote, it was ruled passed on a voice vote by Vice Chair Rep. Nate Steel. What happened? Rep. Bob Ballinger, a freshman, conservative legislator from Hindsville, requested a roll call vote and it was seconded. But Rep. Ballinger has already proven himself to be a friend of liberty in the Arkansas House. Why did he request a roll call vote and … [Read more...]
I wrote yesterday about Representative Randy Alexander’s bill to legalize the sale of lacteal secretion, more commonly known as raw cow milk. But these are just my opinions, backed up by mounds of evidence -- and as many of you constantly remind me on Twitter, I’m just an obnoxious "cow patty" head. So let’s hear from the bill’s sponsor, shall we? Representative Alexander told me that, for him, there are three key questions here: 1. Is raw milk really dangerous? 2. Should … [Read more...]
Representative Kelley Linck has filed a bill, HB1538, that will exempt the Capitol Hill apartment building from certain aspects of elevator safety law. For those of you who are unaware, Capitol Hill Apartments is where many legislators reside during the legislative session. The bill is very short (you can read it for yourself here) but it sends a very bad message to the people of Arkansas. This bill appears to exude a certain level of arrogance on behalf of lawmakers -- think “good for me, … [Read more...]
Yesterday, Americans For Prosperity released their "Economic Freedom Scorecard." Quite simply, the group ranks all 535 members of Congress based on their votes regarding economic freedom: The 112th Congress Scorecard includes critical votes on such issues as the repeal of President Obama’s new health care law, preempting EPA’s purported authority to regulate greenhouse gases, supporting Chairman Paul Ryan’s budget, ending ethanol subsidies, several Congressional Review Act resolutions to … [Read more...]
If, somehow, you’re still sorta undecided on that whole Obamacare thing, the Heritage Foundation has released a list of 10 ways that the health care monstrosity will limit patient choice (also known as “freedom”). One of the factors listed is Medicaid expansion: “Medicaid, the federal–state program that provides health care for the poor and disabled, often fails to ensure timely access to appropriate care because of low reimbursement. Obamacare will add at least 17 million … [Read more...]
