Talk Business - Political Buzz

THE POLITICAL BUZZ
Breaking political news from around Arkansas
Editor: Roby Brock | roby@talkbusiness.net

Monday, February 08, 2010 - 5:22:01 PM

STATE LAWMAKERS DIG IN

The Arkansas General Assembly convened at noon today to start the first fiscal legislative session in its history.

"Let's get in, let's get the job done, and then let's go home," House Speaker Robbie Wills told his members after gaveling the House to order around midday.

Amendment 86, which was passed by voters in 2008, calls on the Arkansas legislature to meet in even-numbered years to consider a state budget. The fiscal session can last no more than 30 days but can be extended by 15 days with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

Gov. Mike Beebe addressed a joint body of the House and Senate in the early afternoon. He told lawmakers that he was "notoriously conservative about money" and was presenting a budget that was "overly conservative."

His $4.5 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1, 2010 restores the nearly $200 million in budget cuts that have taken place in the current fiscal year due to troubling economic conditions.

"But that's all it does. It keeps everything flat," Beebe told legislators.

Beebe and state lawmakers will also take up one non-fiscal bill. There is consensus from legislators to set dollar amounts for scholarships to be awarded in the fall of 2010 from net lottery proceeds.

Scholarships are expected to be set at $5,000 for four-year college students and $2,500 for two-year college students.

Talk Business editor-in-chief Roby Brock sat down with four budget leaders - State Senators Gilbert Baker and Paul Bookout and Reps. Bruce Maloch and Robbie Wills - for a conversation on how the budget session will unfold and how legislators are coping with the rocky economy. Click here to access a transcript or podcast of that interview.

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Monday, February 08, 2010 - 11:08:40 AM

ASA HUTCHINSON WILL NOT RUN FOR 3RD DISTRICT SEAT

Former 3rd District Congressman Asa Hutchinson said today that he would not run for his old Congressional seat that will open up with current Congressman John Boozman's leap into the U.S. Senate race. Hutchinson issued a statement that reads:

"Five years ago, I left Washington to return to Arkansas to run my businesses and law practice. I have had no desire to return even though the current problems facing our nation caused me to evaluate whether I should return to public life. I am delighted that there are good people that are willing to run for this seat in Congress, and I concluded that I am not indispensible to the survival of our republic.

"I am very happy with my role as Senior Partner with the AH Law Group in Rogers and my consulting business in Little Rock. I am grateful for many different opportunities to impact the direction of our country from the private sector and through my voluntary work on the Constitution Project. Susan and I enjoy our life as grandparents, and we know that there will be opportunities for public service in the future in which I could make the case that my election would make all the difference for our state."

Hutchinson added that he expects to be active in supporting the Republican nominee in the November election.

The self-imposed sidelining of Hutchinson makes the field of Republican candidates in the 3rd District GOP stronghold a wide-open affair.

Rogers Mayor Steve Womack plans to run for the Republican nomination, as does State Sen. Cecile Bledsoe of Rogers. Rep. Jonathan Barnett, a former Highway Commissioner from Siloam Springs, is considering a bid, as is Rep. Rick Green of Van Buren. Bernie Skoch of Elkins has already announced he'd seek the Republican nomination before Boozman declared for the U.S. Senate.

David Whitaker, a Fayetteville attorney, said he plans to run as a Democrat for the 3rd District Congressional seat.

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Monday, February 08, 2010 - 12:19:02 AM

THE FISCAL SESSION BEGINS

Don't expect a lot of controversy during the Arkansas General Assembly's first annual fiscal session.

State lawmakers convene at the capitol today at noon to embark on a one-month process to pass the fiscal year 2011 budget.

Only one bill will be added to the agenda outside of the tradition-setting budget parameters - a bill to set scholarship amounts of $5,000 for four-year college students and $2,500 for two-year college students.

We'll provide you an update of the day's low-key formalities.

In the meantime, check out our preview of what lawmakers will be dealing with during the next several weeks. Talk Business Quarterly editor Roby Brock sat down for a budget discussion with Sen. Paul Bookout, House Speaker Robbie Wills, and Joint Budget chairmen Rep. Bruce Maloch and Sen. Gilbert Baker.

You can access our recent roundtable interview at this link.

Also, we looked for and found an offbeat business angle to the start of the session. How will those famous waterin' holes and restaurant hang-outs fare with lawmakers in town on annual basis? Talk Business contributor Eric Francis made rounds at The Capital Bar and Grill and Doe's Eat Place to learn more.

It was tough duty, we admit. Click here to access his adventures.

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Sunday, February 07, 2010 - 2:08:00 PM

1ST DISTRICT DEMOCRATS ARE IN, OUT AND ON THE FENCE (UPDATED)

Rep. Keith Ingram of West Memphis has decided against a run for the 1st District Congressional seat that will open up at the end of retiring Rep. Marion Berry's term.

Ingram, a Democrat, sent an e-mail to supporters this afternoon stating that he was opting not to enter the field to replace the retiring Berry.

"After much consideration I have decided that the best place for me to make a difference for our community, region and state is by seeking re-election to the Arkansas House of Representatives," the email from Ingram stated.

That leaves Berry's former chief of staff, Chad Causey, and former State Sen. Tim Wooldridge of Paragould as two Democratic candidates firmly committed to making the race.

Causey has a "big announcement" planned tomorrow morning in Jonesboro and Lonoke, presumably to state his formal candidacy (the weather has delayed the announcement until Tuesday or Wednesday). Wooldridge released a statement on Sunday evening indicating he would declare his candidacy this coming week.

Talk Business has also learned from sources that State Sen. Steve Bryles of Blytheville will form an exploratory committee early this week now that Ingram has bowed out of the race. Ingram's pass has also added West Memphis doctor and former State Rep. Scott Ferguson to the mix. A source close to Ferguson says the former legislator is interested in a potential run.

There are three Republicans running or considering a run for the 1st District Congressional seat: Rick Crawford of Jonesboro, State. Sen. Johnny Key of Mountain Home, and Wynne native Princella Smith.

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Sunday, February 07, 2010 - 9:50:16 AM

BRUMMETT: LINCOLN'S TV STRATEGY

Stephens Media columnist John Brummett mulls possible messaging strategies for embattled Senator Blanche Lincoln to turn around her poor poll performance.

He's not sure that warm and fuzzy, feel-good spots will do the trick with the current animosity towards incumbents, particularly incumbent Democrats, serving in Washington, D.C.

Brummett also rightfully notes in his column that the U.S. Senate race in Arkansas has three faces today:

There are three concurrent U.S. Senate races in Arkansas right now. One is nine Republican candidates against each other. The second pits those nine against Lincoln.

The third, the most fascinating of all, has Blanche versus Blanche. And that's the one she needs to make a little investment in trying to do something about.

The Republican Senate field is winnowing itself. Both Tom Cox and Buddy Rogers sidelined themselves in the past two days, in part due to Cong. John Boozman's emergence in the GOP primary. You'd expect that there may be more to come.

Andrew DeMillo with the Associated Press opines that Boozman may gain frontrunner status straight out of the chute, but meeting the expectations game may prove harder than anticipated. Read more of DeMillo's thoughts at this link.

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Sunday, February 07, 2010 - 9:46:45 AM

HUCKABEE & PAT BOONE CROON ACROSS THE HOLY LAND

Talk Business contributor Suzi Parker pens stories for a number of national and international publications. In this story, she writes on former Gov. Mike Hucakabee's latest journey to Israel.

Huckabee has been a regular traveler to the Holy Land, but this trip of businessmen, college students, lawyers, and widows also involved one of Israel's most celebrated non-citizens, Christian crooner Pat Boone.

According to Boone's website, "Boone is Christian ambassador to Israel, leading many tours of the country for the Christian Broadcasting Network. He also possesses an Israel Cultural Award, the country's highest award for a non-native." The accolade stems in part from Boone's hit song, "Exodus," which honors the country of Israel.

Huckabee and Boone combined with an impromptu band for a spontaneous performance at an Israeli hotel on their recent trip.

We had a jam session with Mike Tobin, Fox News Jerusalem bureau, on guitar; Maurice Sklar, violinist from U.S. and member of our group, local blues guitarist and other local keyboard guy, and me on bass - we rocked the house with 'Ain't That a Shame,' 'I Almost Lost my Mind' and some other stuff, plus Pat did 'Exodus' and brought the house down," Huckabee said.

You can read more of the story, which also discusses Hucakbee's recent conversation with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, at this link.

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Saturday, February 06, 2010 - 9:07:30 AM

BOOZMAN FINALLY MAKES IT OFFICIAL; CHALLENGERS RESPOND (UPDATED 2)

3rd District Republican Congressman John Boozman made his race for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate official today. Boozman and now seven other contenders are vying for the opportunity to face incumbent Democrat Sen. Blanche Lincoln in November..

"The encouragement and outpouring of support Arkansans have shown in the past few weeks as I reevaluated how to best serve the people of the Natural State has been overwhelming," said Boozman, who has been studying a Senate run for two weeks. "After visiting with Arkansans it is clear that we need leadership in the U.S. Senate that represents the interests of our state and its residents."

Boozman cited problems with an "Obama-Pelosi-Reid" agenda as a critical reason for his entry.

With Boozman in the field, the number of announced GOP Senate candidates could dwindle. Yesterday, TEA Party activist Tom Cox opted out of his bid for the Republican nomination. GOP Senate candidate Buddy Rogers ceded to Boozman's strength and said he will drop out of the race and support Boozman.

One-week GOP Senate candidate Stanley Reed will apparently chair Boozman's campaign. That development likely terminates the possibility of Fayetteville businessman and real estate mogul Jim Lindsey from entering the race.

Boozman's addition to the candidate pool isn't likely to cause some of the more formidable challengers to back down, however.

State Sen. Gilbert Baker released an announcement and new video shortly after Boozman's news - a clear shot that Baker will run aggressively against Boozman's five terms in Congress.

"Washington isn't listening to the people, but I hear you loud and clear," said Baker. "Arkansans are looking for leaders who will be part of the solution, not those who have been part of the problem. I am firmly committed to running for U.S. Senate to put an end to the status quo in our nation's capitol."

The video blames "both parties" in Congress for the nation's woes, accusing Democrats and Republicans of having represented their own self-interests.

"It's time for new ideas and new conservative leadership for America," the ad concludes. You can view the video at this link.

Primary challenger Curtis Coleman also fired a shot at Boozman's perceived "Washington insider" label.

"Arkansans are looking for fresh new ideas and bold new leadership and they don't see it coming from Washington," Coleman stated.

Yesterday, Republican Senate candidate Jim Holt of Springdale emphasized that he was staying in the Senate race despite Boozman's entry.

Boozman's effort to run for Senate will open up his Congressional seat, the third open seat in Arkansas this year.

Rogers Mayor Steve Womack announced today that he would enter the Congressional race formally on Monday.

Talk Business will update this story throughout the day.

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Friday, February 05, 2010 - 2:57:13 PM

FIRST DISTRICT RACE SHAPING UP FOR DEMOCRATS

Probable 1st District Congressional candidate Chad Causey, Rep. Marion Berry's chief of staff, tweets that he will hold two "big announcements Monday."

Causey is expected to enter the race for the Democratic nomination.

His communiqué says that he will hold an event in Jonesboro at ASU's ABI center at 9 am and in downtown Lonoke at the train depot at 12:30 pm.

Blake Rutherford at Blake's Think Tank says that his sources report that State Rep. Keith Ingram of West Memphis will enter the race, investing a "substantial" sum of personal money.

Stay tuned.

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