The Arkansas Project — Jason Rapert

Wow, Senator Rapert, That Was A Quick Three Weeks!

April 14, 2013 Nic Horton 4 Comments

Before last year's election, Senator Rapert said expanding Medicaid would turn Arkansas into a "candy land" of entitlements.

Less than a week ago, Senator Jason Rapert announced at AAI’s Conway town hall that he wanted the legislature to delay passage of the “private option” Medicaid expansion. Less than 72 hours ago, Rapert reiterated his call for delay, specifying this time that the legislature needed to take three weeks off to go visit with constituents about the plan. Late last night, however, just 48 hours after re-issuing the call for delay across state media, Rapert announced his intentions to support the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 General Assembly, Arkansas Legislature, Gallery, Medicaid, Obamacare Tagged With: Arkansas, Conway, Democrats, Government, health care, Jason Rapert, legislature, medicaid, North Korea, obama, obamacare, Policy, Republicans, spending, taxes, tea party

Senator Rapert Calls Again for “Private Option” Delay

April 11, 2013 Nic Horton 4 Comments

Yesterday I reported that state Senator Jason Rapert announced (while attending AAI’s Monday town hall meeting in Conway) that he wanted the legislature to delay passage of the “private option” Medicaid expansion. Now the AP has picked up on the story. According to a new report, Rapert reiterated his calls for delay this morning at the Capitol, saying lawmakers should take three weeks off to go talk to their constituents and then reconvene. Talk to your constituents? What a great … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 General Assembly, Arkansas Legislature, Medicaid, Obamacare Tagged With: AAI, abuse, advance arkansas institute, Arkansas, Conway, fraud, health care, Jason Rapert, legislature, medicaid, obamacare, Reform, spending, taxes, tea party, waste

How Nonprofits Work

April 9, 2013 Dan Greenberg 2 Comments

Ed Haislmaier speaking to a packed house at AAI's Conway forum last night.

It was a pleasure to bring Christie Herrera and Ed Haislmaier to Arkansas in order to speak on what several lawmakers have called the “private option” – namely, an Arkansas spin on Medicaid expansion. But I was disappointed to see Senator Jason Rapert’s tweet yesterday, in which he explained that one of our speakers said “he has not read the AR private option bill while speaking against it today.” Rapert got that wrong, and it may be useful to explain why. Both of our speakers had … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 General Assembly, Arkansas Legislature, Medicaid, Obamacare Tagged With: Arkansas, health care, Jason Rapert, Jason Tolbert, legislature, medicaid, obamacare, Policy, Politics, private option, Twitter

Jerry Cox Weighs In On Pro-Life Developments!

January 31, 2013 Nic Horton

Two bills of significant impact took steps forward in the legislative process at the state capitol today: one is Rep. Andy Mayberry's "fetal pain bill" which cleared the House Public Health Committee today. The other is Senator Jason Rapert's "heartbeat bill" which passed the full Senate today by a vote of 28-6. What do these bills actually say? Will they become law? What will their impact be on public policy in Arkansas if they do become law? These are the types of questions I asked Mr. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 General Assembly, Abortion, Arkansas Legislature Tagged With: 89th general assembly, Andy Mayberry, Arkansas, Democrats, Family Council, Jason Rapert, Jerry Cox, legislature, Politics, Pro-life, Republicans, session

Advancing Arkansas: Senator Rapert Eyes Grocery Tax Elimination, Broad Tax Reform

January 9, 2013 Nic Horton

For the latest interview in my “Advancing Arkansas” series, I sat down with Senator Jason Rapert (R-Conway) about his plans for the upcoming legislative session. The session begins in just 5 days. Other than reforming the Medicaid system -- which is at its breaking point -- Senator Rapert said school funding is the biggest issue currently facing the legislature: “The second item behind Medicaid would be school funding. The Supreme Court’s ruling that came through that basically … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Arkansas Legislature, Arkansas Politics Tagged With: advancing arkansas, Arkansas, Conway, education, grocery tax, health insurance, Jason Rapert, legislature, reforma, Republicans, schools, second amendment, senate, supreme court, taxes, tea party

Merry Christmas From Your State Government: Church Carry, Planned Parenthood, & Supporting Israel

December 22, 2012 Nic Horton

You’ve already heard a great deal about the vote on the Obamacare exchanges grant that happened this morning. But here are a few other things I learned while visiting our state’s Capitol yesterday: 1. Planned Parenthood is receiving over $250,000 in state funding through just two grants. Rep. Debbie Hobbs, AAI Friend of Freedom and all-around great legislator, brought the issue to light in this morning’s meeting of the Legislative Council. There was a request on the agenda to approve … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Arkansas Democrats, Arkansas Legislature, Arkansas Politics, Arkansas Republicans Tagged With: Bryan King, Debbie Hobbs, Jason Rapert, nate bell, taxes, tea party

If You Need Her, Call Her (No Matter Where You Are)

November 5, 2012 Nic Horton

Last Tuesday, I told you about Linda Tyler’s refusal to answer a few basic questions about LM Wind Power and her outspoken support for the governor’s quick action closing fund. Notably, Rep. Tyler actually brags on her campaign website that she is “driven” by hearing from citizens about important issues. Little did I know that the previous Sunday, Rep. Tyler once again reiterated her deeply held commitment to transparency and responsiveness to the people of Arkansas about where she … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Arkansas Legislature, Elections, Gallery Tagged With: 2012, Arkansas, Conway, Democrats, Election, Faulkner County, freedom, Jason Rapert, legislature, Liberty, Linda Tyler, LM Wind Power, race, Republicans, senate, tea party, waste

Representative Tyler, I’ve Been Trying to Reach You

October 30, 2012 Nic Horton

On October 4th, I called state Representative Linda Tyler for an interview. I reached her voicemail and requested a call back -- to her credit, she did call me back the next day and asked me who I was, who I worked for, etc. When I told her “The Arkansas Project,” she told me she would have to get back to me because she was driving. I told her I would be at my desk the rest of the day (this was about mid-morning on a Friday) or she could call me anytime Monday. Needless to say, it’s been … [Read more...]