• The Senate Report: Week 10 review
The only people wanting the Legislature to drag on are those counting on the per diem checks for their livelihood. For the rest of us, it is about time to get back to the real world ... and soon.
We have a new Pope. Or maybe it is that the Catholics have a new Pope and the rest of us have a new celebrity. Which is good, because the pool of celebrities was growing alarmingly small thanks to that damned sequester.
• The Senate Report: Week 7 review
When I ran for office the first time, I didn’t know what a State Representative or Senator did. I had never been to the Capitol. I didn’t know how a bill became a law. Sound familiar to you?
While there has been much noted of Arkansas’ recently approved “pain capable” abortion bill, there has been little meaningful public debate among legislators about the political, social and legal complexities of legislating morality.
After much of the shock, anger, and outrage has passed following the tragic shooting at the Sandy Hook School, it is time to take an apolitical look at making real and lasting improvements to school security.
• The Senate Report: Week 6 review
Red carpet. Celebrities. Lots of hoopla.
That may be fine for the Oscars, but it is not a typical day in the life of a part-time legislator involved in a full-time Session with a full-time job and a family.
By the end of our 6th week in session, the Governor signed over 140 bills into law. 76 of those bills originated in the House. Over 450 bills have been filed in the House during the 89th General Assembly.
• The Senate Report : Week 5 review
Let’s start with a simple premise. Money is finite. It can go anywhere. It is like water in that it will go where there is the least resistance. So it is with business and a business climate.
The Fort Smith Board of Directors should put the brakes on this request by Whirlpool Corp. to ban the installation of groundwater wells in an area near the company's former manufacturing plant in Fort Smith.
I’ve been fighting and arguing with a certain business assessor in the Sebastian County Tax Assessor Office for at least two years, probably more. I am right and she is wrong.
• Senate Report: Week 4 review
The 89th General Assembly has passed a few bills thus far and has made headway on a few topics. We have had genuine conversation in our caucuses and committees about substantive things.
That was the pre-election mantra of these heady Republicans who knew they were within striking distance of capturing the keys to the Arkansas lawmaking engine.
