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Mike Beebe to State Business Leaders: Keep Moving Forward, Working Together

2 min read

Gov. Mike Beebe told the state’s business leaders on Wednesday to keep moving forward and working together in order to keep Arkansas headed in the right direction.

The outgoing governor addressed the annual meeting of the Arkansas state Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas at the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock. He spent most of his nearly 10-minute speech reflecting on his eight years as governor.

“Those things I get credit for are accomplishments that should be shared by so many,” Beebe said, singling out the business leaders, employees and educators, among others, that he said played just as much a part in the positive advancements made in Arkansas as he did.

The 45th governor of Arkansas also recognized the General Assembly and relationships he had formed with both Republicans and Democrats.

“It’s the kind of bipartisan cooperation that Washington could take a lesson about,” Beebe said.

Beebe pointed out that many in the room had been an integral part of his life.

“What I will miss the most is the constant contact and interaction with people,” he said.

Stephen Moore, chief economist for Washington, D.C.-based conservative think tank Heritage Foundation, was the keynote speaker.

Moore opened by admitting he was a conservative Republican, but said there is a need for more politicians like Beebe.

“I believe Mike Beebe is one of our greatest governors in the country,” he said. “We could use more people like him, the pro-business, common sense Democrat that there is not enough of in Washington, D.C.”

Moore focused the majority of his 45-minute address on the shortcomings of the Obama administration, and the future of the nation in the aftermath of this year’s election. Moore referred to the recent midterms as the country “turning red,” and said he believes it will result in positive effects on the economy and business community.

Some of the issues Moore said he believes will be addressed with a Republican majority in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives included corporate tax reform and approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. 

Moore said the recent Republican takeover in Arkansas provides potential for the state to improve, citing income tax cuts and tort reform as two areas that could help.

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