by Jeannie Nuss, The Associated Press 3/19/2013 07:05 am
The Arkansas Department of Human Services has released new cost estimates for a plan that would use Medicaid funds to purchase private insurance for newly eligible recipients.
by Lance Turner 3/18/2013 07:27 am
On "Arkansas Week," those $2 billion worth of looming tax cut bills Republicans are starting to run in the Legislature, more on the non-expansion expansion of Medicaid, voter ID, a bit on Big River Steel and battling budgets in Washington D.C.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 3/17/2013 05:22 pm
Democratic Sen. Joyce Elliott and Republican Sen. Johnny Key haven't agreed on much during the first nine weeks of this legislative session, and have split on proposals to restrict abortions in Arkansas, voter ID requirements and competing bills to rewrite the state's school choice law.
by Mark Carter 3/15/2013 09:44 am
Arkansas lawmakers this week received reports from two consultants hired by the state to study the economic impact of the proposed $1 billion Big River Steel project in Mississippi County.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 3/14/2013 03:03 pm
Farmers wouldn't have to pay sales taxes on utilities for several types of structures under a $10 million exemption backed by a House panel Thursday, the first major tax reduction up for a vote by that chamber this session.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 3/13/2013 04:41 pm
Removing race as the main factor in deciding whether a student can transfer to another school district in Arkansas would give parents more control on educational choices for their children, one lawmaker said Wednesday, but opponents warned the idea could lead to segregation.
by Lance Turner 3/12/2013 01:45 pm
In case you missed it, here's The New York Times taking a look on Monday at state Sen. Jason Rapert's abortion legislation, which the Arkansas Legislature approved six days ago.
by Lance Turner 3/12/2013 11:40 am
Arkansas legislators by Monday had filed at least 10 bills dealing with state incentives for the $1.1 billion Big River Steel manufacturing plant proposed for a site near Osceola (Mississippi County).
by Jeannie Nuss, The Associated Press 3/11/2013 10:35 am
An Arkansas lawmaker is proposing extending in-state tuition rates to some students who entered the U.S. illegally.
by Gwen Moritz 3/11/2013 12:00 am
Ticket scalpers are merely selling a luxury item for which demand has outstripped limited supply. No children need go hungry; no parents are trapped in a spiral of inescapable debt; no employment is threatened by lack of transportation.
by Mark Carter 3/11/2013 12:00 am
Abortion and voter ID bills remained on the legislative front burner as well while lawmakers positioned themselves for the coming debate over Medicaid expansion.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 3/10/2013 04:32 pm
The Republican-led Legislature's override of Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe's veto of the ban on most abortions 12 weeks into a pregnancy sets up a legal fight that's almost certain, in the long run, to wind up before the nation's highest court. But Arkansas voters could deliver a verdict for their government leaders as early as next year.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 3/7/2013 05:01 pm
Not content with enacting the most restrictive abortion laws in the country, Arkansas Republicans plan to press the legislative advantage their party hasn't enjoyed since Reconstruction by making it even harder for women to get abortions in the state.
by David Crary, The Associated Press 3/7/2013 04:14 pm
By adopting the nation's toughest abortion law in the face of certain legal challenge, Arkansas legislators have exposed sharp tactical divisions within the national anti-abortion movement.
by Chuck Bartels, The Associated Press 3/7/2013 02:59 pm
Gov. Mike Beebe expressed optimism Thursday that a deal can be reached to expand Medicaid in Arkansas, telling a crowd of hundreds at the state Capitol that he and Republican lawmakers were on a "positive track" in talks to provide health care coverage to more low-income residents.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 3/6/2013 02:13 pm
Arkansas lawmakers overrode a veto Wednesday and gave the state the most restrictive abortion law in the country - a near-ban on the procedure from the 12th week of pregnancy onward that is certain to end up in court.
by Michael Stratford, The Associated Press 3/6/2013 07:29 am
Arkansas House Republicans failed to secure enough votes Tuesday to cap the growth of government spending, a centerpiece of their legislative agenda this year.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 3/5/2013 02:13 pm
The Arkansas Senate voted Tuesday to override Gov. Mike Beebe's veto of legislation that would give the state the most restrictive abortion laws in the country.
by Mark Carter 3/4/2013 12:00 am
Recent headlines notwithstanding, guns and abortion aren't the only topics being debated at the 89th General Assembly. This week, business owners will be watching a bill that would raise the state minimum wage from $6.25 an hour to $8.25.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 3/3/2013 02:08 pm
The partnership Gov. Mike Beebe has boasted having with the Arkansas Legislature is turning more into a love-hate relationship under Republican control. They're not sworn enemies, but not exactly best friends either. They're more like frenemies.
State Treasurer Martha Shoffner Arrested for Extortion by FBI 
