The Arkansas Project

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

“Private Option” Clears First Hurdle in Senate, But Fight Is Just Beginning

April 5, 2013 Nic Horton 2 Comments

This morning, by a vote of 24-9, the Senate passed SB1020 or the “private option” version of Medicaid expansion. Two members did not vote. While the passage of the bill is no doubt significant, this is only the beginning of a long legislative process. The bill now goes to the House and, assuming it passes there, it will go to the governor and become law -- but that’s not the end of the ballgame. The legislature also would have to pass a separate appropriations bill to fund the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 General Assembly, Arkansas Legislature, Medicaid, Obamacare Tagged With: Arkansas, DHS, Government, health care, legislature, medicaid, Mike Beebe, obamacare, Policy, Politics, private option, Reform, subsidies, waste

AFP on Medicaid: ‘Take Time To Get It Right’

April 4, 2013 Nic Horton Leave a Comment

Our friends at AFP-Arkansas have released a new ad against the Medicaid "private option." You should take 30 seconds to watch it because, well, it's really good: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 General Assembly, Arkansas Legislature, Medicaid, Obamacare Tagged With: AFP, americans for prosperity, Arkansas, Democrats, Government, health care, legislature, medicaid, Mike Beebe, obama, obamacare, Pelosi, Policy, Politics, Reform, Republicans, taxes, tea party, waste

Speaker Carter: ‘We Have Always Been at War with Eastasia’

April 3, 2013 Nic Horton 3 Comments

Yesterday afternoon, in an act of courage, Congressman Rick Crawford released a stellar press release condemning the “private option” or the “Arkansas Medicaid plan.” Crawford -- who I have sometimes disagreed with in the past -- could not be more right on this issue. In his release, he said: In my view, the current un-winnable situation in which state legislators find themselves will become significantly worse if they set up a government-funded private insurance program and are forced … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 General Assembly, Arkansas Legislature, Gallery, Medicaid, Obamacare Tagged With: 1984, Arkansas, Congress, davy carter, Democrats, Government, health care, legislature, medicaid, obama, obamacare, Politics, private option, Republicans, rick crawford, taxes, waste

$400,000 For Sweet Potato Research? Yam Right!

March 26, 2013 Nic Horton 3 Comments

There are several remarkable aspects of Governor Mike Beebe’s veto of SB2, the voter ID bill, yesterday. It looks like Beebe threw a bone to the gubernatorial base -- which suggests that the base is in need of stimulation. It is also intriguing to see a governor veto a bill that passed with bipartisan support in both chambers and is supported by large majorities of Democrats, women, African-Americans, and even crusty old white guys. But most importantly: how odd it is to see a governor use the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 General Assembly, Arkansas Democrats, Arkansas Legislature, Gallery, Voter Fraud, Voter ID Tagged With: abuse, Arkansas, fraud, Jack Crumbly, legislature, Mike Beebe, Policy, Politics, SB2, sweet potatoes, UAPB, veto, voter fraud, voter ID, waste

Medicaid Expansion Carries Hefty Price Tag for Arkansas Taxpayers

March 22, 2013 Nic Horton 3 Comments

There’s been a lot of talk about the wonders of Medicaid expansion from the Arkansas media and from Republican and Democratic policymakers, but there’s been very little attention paid to the real cost. I have previously written that the expansion could cost Arkansans up to an additional $148 million per year. Now, the Heritage Foundation has released a study that shows a more complete picture: As you can see, expansion will cost Arkansas taxpayers a net $665 million through 2022 and will … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 General Assembly, Arkansas Legislature, Health Care Reform, Medicaid, Obamacare Tagged With: Arkansas, Democrats, health care, Heritage, legislature, Medicaid expansion, obamacare, Reform, Reginald Murdock, Republicans, spending, taxes, taxpayers, waste

Will Voter ID Bankrupt Arkansas?

March 6, 2013 Nic Horton 3 Comments

This morning, the House State Agencies Committee passed Sen. Bryan King’s voter ID bill (SB2) out of committee. It will now go to the full House for consideration and will then likely head to the governor. The bill would require Arkansas voters to present identification before voting. Given that overwhelming majorities of Republicans, Democrats, men, women, whites and blacks support the measure, critics of common-sense measures to protect election integrity have been relegated to criticizing … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 General Assembly, Voter Fraud, Voter ID Tagged With: advance arkansas institute, Arkansas, Bryan King, Government, Jim Nickels, legislature, LM Wind Power, Mike Beebe, Policy, Politics, SB2, voter fraud, voter ID, waste

Why Government Should “Buy Chinese to Save A Nickel”

January 23, 2013 Nic Horton

Senator Larry Teague (D-Nashville) has proposed a bill – SB54 – that would require the use of American-manufactured iron, steel, and other products in the construction of public buildings and public works in Arkansas. The bill was scheduled to be heard before the Senate Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development committee yesterday but was pulled at the last minute. So, I called Senator Teague to ask him why he pulled the bill: “Mostly because contractors had some questions, … [Read more...]