Bart Hester
Arkansas Lawmakers Adjourn Session, Leaving Budget for State Hunting, Fishing Programs in Limbo
The vote creates uncertainty about whether the 636-employee agency that oversees the state's hunting, fishing and conversation programs will be able to operate when the fiscal year begins July 1. read more >
With Audit Underway, Governor’s Lectern Out of Sight, But Not Out of Mind
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is trying to move past questions over a $19,000 lectern that she doesn't even want to use right now. But questions about its cost and how its purchase was handled haven’t gone away so easily. read more >
What’s Next for the FOIA (Lance Turner Editor’s Note)
This year has seen multiple attempts to limit our open records law, and the hits will keep coming. read more >
by Lance Turner -
Gradually, Then Suddenly (Editorial)
Last week’s attempt to weaken Arkansas’ Freedom of Information Act won’t be the last. read more >
FOIA Bill Revised After Opposition and Chaos at Capitol
Constituents on Monday swayed lawmakers against provisions that would allow withholding a wide array of records now open to public requests. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
From Trump to Governor: Sanders Prepares to Take on New Role
Her legislative priorities include overhauling the state's education system, cutting income taxes and adopting new public safety measures. read more >
by -
Leveritt, ACLU Want Supreme Court Review of Pro-Israel Pledge
A ruling last week against the Arkansas Times has pushed its publisher to the doorsteps of the nation's highest court. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Arkansas Governor Signs Police Payments Bill as Session Ends
The legislation sets aside $50 million to give $5,000 one-time payments to city and county law enforcement officers. read more >
by -
Nobody’s Boycotting Israel, but Just in Case…
Arkansas Times Publisher Alan Leveritt is challenging a state ultimatum to either sign a pledge agreeing not to boycott Israel or pay a price in state contracts. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Arkansas Legislators Seek More Limits on Public Records
Two years after the Arkansas Legislature scaled back the state's decades-old law protecting public access to government records, lawmakers are considering making even more information secret. read more >
by -
‘Tort Reform’ Returns: Lawmakers File Proposal to Allow Damage Limits
Arkansas lawmakers are proposing a constitutional amendment to allow the Legislature to limit damages awarded in lawsuits. read more >
by Associated Press -
Want State Business? Stay on Israel’s Side
The Arkansas Times, which lost ad business with the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College after rejecting pro-Israel language in an ad contract, is suing to neuter the state law requiring it. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Arkansas Times Sues Over No-Boycott Pledge for Vendors
An Arkansas newspaper is asking a federal judge to strike down a state law that requires government contractors to pledge to not boycott Israel or reduce their fees by 20 percent. read more >
by -
Arkansas Liquor Stores See Sales Fall 5.5 Percent Since Grocery Wine Expansion
Liquor stores throughout Arkansas have seen total sales fall an average of 5.5 percent since expanded sales of wine in grocery stores went into effect Oct. 1, according to a report released Monday. read more >
by Jan Cottingham -
New Arkansas Legislation Takes Aim at Boycotting Israel
Among the many new laws that Arkansas legislators approved last year was a requirement that contractors bidding on state jobs sign a pledge they are not boycotting Israel. read more >
by Associated Press -
Of Dollars and the Arts (Editorial)
Alice Walton needs to have a talk with state Sen. Bart Hester. She needs to explain to him the economic impact of the arts in Arkansas. read more >
Gravy Train Stops Here (Gwen Moritz Editor’s Note)
With the Supreme Court’s latest action, the state's General Improvement Fund is presumably a thing of the past. That’s probably cold comfort to legislators who are still being investigated. read more >
by Gwen Moritz -
Arkansas Panel Faces Pressure Over Tax Breaks (Andrew DeMillo Analysis)
The toughest job for a task force looking at an overhaul of Arkansas' tax code will be resisting pressure from a list of lobbying groups hoping to protect exemption. read more >
by -
Dismang, Gillam Pick 16 for Governor’s Tax Reform Group
Ten Republicans and six Democrats have been named to serve on a legislative task force that will recommend tax cuts before the 2019 session. read more >
by Associated Press -
Stop Payday Lending – Again (Editorial)
Arkansans have repeatedly affirmed at the ballot box that they oppose predatory lending, but two state legislators are trying to make it easier for predatory lenders to operate. read more >
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