Cashocracy
The Observer has watched the 89th Arkansas General Assembly like a high-speed wreck between an armored car full of money and a loaded manure spreader shown in slow motion. This state, mostly pragmatic...
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Out of step
Republican legislators as a group favor deregulation of corporations and strict regulation of individuals. They would free a company from all zoning laws, and deny a woman any authority over her own...
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Diagnosing the GOP
Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana has famously stated that the Republican Party has to stop being "the Stupid Party." I don't think "the Stupid Party" is going to change or be replaced by...
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Legislative term limits revisited in Arkansas
But the proposed adjustments are small. by Doug SmithWhen Arkansas voters adopted term limits for legislators in 1992, Republicans were badly outnumbered in both houses of the legislature, and...
View ArticleGOP now aids the rich
For nine weeks, the legislature has been finding ways to increase the government's dominion over people's lives: limiting the number of days after a woman gets pregnant before her body becomes...
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In bloom
It's beginning to look a lot like spring at the state Capitol. by Brian Chilson[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]
View ArticleIt was a good week for expansion projections
It was also a good week for not being the worst and a big idea. It was a bad week for class action plaintiffs; raw milk; a red, white and blue bridge, and history education.It was a good week...
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Hinder at Juanita's
Also, Bless the Mic with Toure, the Little Rock Horror Picture Show, the 'Stop the War on Women' march, Pinback, Lee Fields and the Expressions and JFK: 50 Years Later. by Robert Bell and David...
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M.F. Metal turns Bryant up to 11
Fledgling record store aspires to be a hang-out spot. by David KoonDio is dead, it's 1,600 miles to the Whisky a Go-Go, and Saline County has never been a place that screams "METALLLLL!" But down in...
View ArticleDark days in Hog-land
A week ago, right here, Pearls dipped its toe into the prognostication waters ever so lightly, projecting a couple of modest year-end benchmarks for a Razorback basketball team that was in another...
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Almost magic
'The Incredible Burt Wonderstone' is all mixed up. by Sam Eifling"The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" is a crass, chaotic jumble of a movie that squeezes several laughs out of the raw talent of its...
View ArticleUPDATE: Legislative update: Nonpartisan prosecutor bill clears House
At the legislature today:* NONPARTISAN PROSECUTORS: The House approved, 63-24, a bill to provide for nonpartisan election of prosecuting attorneys. The bill had bipartisan support and bipartisan...
View ArticleNot quite over the hump open line
The day's not done, but I am. You're on. Final notes:* CUTTING EDGE ARKANSAS:More deep review of Arkansas's novel"private option" approach to expanding Medicaid in the Washington Post, with a couple of...
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Questions to the Tech Board — from the Tech Board
Little Rock Technology Park Authority Board member Jay Chesshir has sent to all members of the board, their consultant, Charles Dilks, and realtors Jim Hathaway and Hank Kelley an email titled...
View ArticleAFP Arkansas still mulling "private option"
The Arkansas chapter of Americans for Prosperity sent out a tweet today expressing opposition to expansion even under the so-called "private option" that many Republican lawmakers have shown interest...
View ArticleNSFR: Not suitable for Republicans working in legislature
Wider circulation on YouTube of Rep. John Walker's powerful remarks on efforts to make it harder to vote in Arkansas, a speech that a white-faced Republican unborn when Walker faced institutional...
View ArticleNow come the tax cuts
The legislature is close to rolling out the final outline of the tax cut parade.Rep. Charlie Collins' windfall for rich people seems to lead the list of favorites, though House speaker Davy Carter's...
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Friday: Lucie's Place fundraiser, Big Silver and more
"A Hair Affair" is a fundraiser for LGBT homelessness advocate Lucie's Place and HIV/AIDS support group LACorp, with a fashion show, competition between local hair salons, local arts and crafts and...
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