On the Arkansas Times, Part II

2013-01-04-ap-national-debtjpg-a5a0f274b81915b9

David Ramsey of the Arkansas Times regularly distinguished himself this session with his thorough coverage of the debate over Medicaid expansion. His account of the creation of the “private option” -- perhaps the biggest increase in the size and scope of state government in my lifetime -- was educational and gripping. But occasionally his work told us more about David Ramsey than it did about Medicaid expansion. One of the areas where his article fell short was in his discussion of the … [Read more...]

The Greatest Untold Story of the 89th General Assembly

gun bill

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...]

Rep. Bell Presents “Mileage Reimbursement Fairness Act”

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...]

Todd Akin: The Arkansas Angle

Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin, nominee for the 2012 Worst Misunderstanding of Reproductive Biology Award.

After Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin’s regrettable statement on Sunday, that “the female body” has a biological response to rape that typically blocks pregnancy,  observers of Arkansas political history were probably experiencing déjà vu. In 1998, Arkansas Senate candidate Fay Boozman expressed a similar view: namely, that the rush of adrenaline created by the anxiety of rape or incest would make conception unlikely to occur. (Although it was widely misreported that Dr. Boozman … [Read more...]