by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 2/26/2013 01:13 pm
Gov. Mike Beebe criticizes Lt. Gov. Mark Darr for making secret the list of Arkansas residents allowed to carry concealed weapons, saying the Republican "embarrassed himself" by signing the legislation while the governor was out of state.
by Michael Stratford, The Associated Press 2/26/2013 07:15 am
A bipartisan group of Arkansas House lawmakers on Monday blocked a proposal to remove party politics from the election of state prosecutors.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 2/25/2013 05:54 pm
An overhaul of the Arkansas Lottery-funded college scholarship program was given final approval by lawmakers Monday, creating a system in which award amounts increase each year for students at four-year schools.
by Gwen Moritz 2/25/2013 12:00 am
There is nothing about the Legislature's decision to amend the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act to conceal who is licensed to carry a concealed weapon that expands or otherwise protects the individual right to bear arms. No one new gets to legally own, carry or discharge firearms. The requirements for licensure aren't changed at all by this decision to slice off a little piece of the public's right to know.
by Mark Carter 2/25/2013 12:00 am
The 89th General Assembly has yet to finish writing its chapter in the big book of Arkansas state legislatures. But if Chapter 89 were printed this week, then surely “guns” would be in the title. Legislation devoted to guns dominated the action again last week.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 2/24/2013 05:26 pm
Despite campaign pledges to cut taxes and focus on the economy, the new Republican majority in Arkansas' Legislature has turned into a bigger boon for social conservatives than fiscal ones.
by Chuck Bartels, The Associated Press 2/24/2013 05:12 pm
The clock is running as legislators seek information about a $1.1 billion steel plant proposed for Osceola. As of Monday, the House and the Senate have 18 working days to look into whether it would be right for the state to $125 million to help finance the project.
by Mark Carter 2/21/2013 12:54 pm
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission delivered to House and Senate leaders the letter of commitment signed by Big River Steel and the state.
by Michael Stratford, The Associated Press 2/19/2013 02:48 pm
Over the objection of freedom of information advocates, Arkansas lawmakers on Tuesday approved legislation that would make secret the list of nearly 130,000 residents who have permits to carry concealed weapons.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 2/19/2013 01:31 pm
House Speaker Davy Carter says he's sending a proposal to ban most abortions in Arkansas at 12 weeks of pregnancy back to a committee after Democrats complained it was approved improperly.
by Lance Turner and Mark Carter 2/19/2013 09:10 am
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission expects to submit its $125 million incentive package for the Big River Steel mill project to the Arkansas Legislature on Thursday, an AEDC spokesman said on Monday.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 2/18/2013 07:25 am
As a veteran legislator and two-term Democratic governor who has used the veto sparingly, Mike Beebe has spoken out against several GOP measures but won't say whether he'll veto them if they reach his desk.
by Mark Carter 2/18/2013 12:00 am
Guns and abortions were featured items on the legislative agenda again last week at the 89th General Assembly, but Arkansas lawmakers ventured into other areas as well.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 2/17/2013 05:08 pm
What happened to the Medicaid session? Despite all the talk before lawmakers gathered at the Arkansas Capitol that Medicaid's finances and future would overshadow just about every other issue, there's been scant attention paid to the $5 billion program and efforts to expand it under the federal health care law
by Jeannie Nuss 2/15/2013 07:49 am
Arkansas is one step closer to resuming executions after a legislative panel on Thursday approved a proposal to rewrite a lethal injection law that the state's top court struck down last year.
by Lance Turner 2/14/2013 10:25 am
Celebrating the very best of today's coolest Twitter hashtag, #ARLegValentines, starring AP reporter @ADeMillo and members of Arkansas' 89th General Assembly.
by Michael Stratford, The Associated Press 2/13/2013 03:38 pm
The House Rules Committee votes to create a tiered structure of awards for students that starts at $2,000 for freshmen at four-year colleges. The award would increase by $1,000 each year, capping at $5,000 for seniors.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 2/13/2013 12:11 pm
A Senate panel has advanced legislation banning most abortions in Arkansas at 20 weeks into a pregnancy after the lawmaker proposing the ban added exemptions for rape and incest.
State Treasurer Martha Shoffner Arrested for Extortion by FBI 
