Arkansas Legislature
Hot Springs Reveals Top 5 Restaurants & Hotels in 2024
Arkansas law blocks cities from sharing local-option tax data, but Visit Hot Springs reveals its top five restaurants and hotels for 2024—minus the dollars. read more >
Governor Sanders on Education, Economic Growth & Arkansas’ Future
The Republican governor reflects on Arkansas' progress in education, workforce training, tax cuts, and broadband, aiming to attract businesses and grow the economy. read more >
Ruling on Former Business Partners Involves New LLC Act
Thomas Chapin, a Pulaski County real estate investor, must pay $1.1M to former partner Matthew Lamb and was judicially expelled from their LLCs under Arkansas' updated 2021 LLC act. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Regnat Populus (Editorial)
Let’s remember the official state motto of Arkansas: “Regnat Populus,” the people rule. read more >
Forecasting for Effect (Hunter Field Editor’s Note)
This isn’t a column about whether new tax policy decisions were wise; it’s about some frustration with how we got here. read more >
by Hunter Field -
Bill Paschall on Longevity, Misinformation & Navigating Hyperpartisan Politics
Paschall, the president & CEO of Paschall Strategic Communications of Little Rock, has more than 35 years of experience directing public affairs and public relations initiatives. read more >
The Price of Pique (Editorial)
A special session to address the Legislature’s failure to do its job will cost taxpayers $100,000. read more >
Death to the Fiscal (Hunter Field Editor’s Note)
Arkansas’ fiscal session wastes time and money every other year. We should scrap it. read more >
by Hunter Field -
Arkansas Tightens Grip on Bitcoin Mining
Arkansas bitcoin mining operations appear to be headed for more regulation. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Getting Solar Value After October Switch
Arkansas’ net-metering credits to utility customers for solar energy they add to the grid will change drastically for systems connected after Sept. 31. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
The Crypto Conundrum
Crypto mines invited stricter regulations by being bad neighbors. read more >
by Hunter Field -
Sanders’ Education Reform (Editorial)
Improving education in Arkansas is vital. So is protecting the public school system that undergirds the state’s communities. read more >
Mobile Betting Taking Off in Arkansas
Though still in its infancy, the future of mobile sports betting in Arkansas looks promising as more casinos gain approval and launch apps. read more >
by Marty Cook -
For These Issues, Thank Your Lawmakers
Legislators have referred three proposed constitutional amendments for voters to either enact or reject by a majority vote. Here's information about each one. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Putting the Squeeze on Business (Lance Turner Editor’s Note)
Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson last week held his nose and allowed to become law without his signature two identical bills, SB739 and HB1977, that allow employees to opt out of workplace vaccination requirements. read more >
by Lance Turner -
Looking On the Bright Side (Editorial)
Those in positions of authority are sometimes advised to praise the behaviors they want to see more often. To that end, as voters we aim to please. read more >
Highway Funding Plan Hurts Poor, Critic Says
Gov. Asa Hutchinson has signed legislation that will raise an estimated $95 million annually for the state’s highways, but a public policy group says the sales tax portion is too regressive. read more >
by Marty Cook -
Highway Work Ahead, And It’s About Time
The long-delayed Arkansas highway funding initiative moved along this week, passing a Senate committee with one official no vote. read more >
by Marty Cook -
Who’s the Boss (Editorial)
Everyone knows the reason for a lobbyist's existence: to persuade lawmakers to do what the lobbyist wants him to do. But when lobbyists actually pay lawmakers — well, that’s influence of a whole other magnitude. read more >
Legislators to Quiz UAMS Over Baptist Partnership
Members of the Legislature’s Joint Performance Review Committee have questions about the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ contract for emergency room and orthopedic services at Baptist Health Medical Center-Conway. read more >