Stephen Meeks

Arkansas’ sun power industry scored a major victory Tuesday afternoon at the state Capitol as the state House approved legislation to allow third-party financing of solar arrays. The measure, already cleared by the state Senate, will open up solar power options for non-taxed entities like nonprofit corporations, government agencies and schools. read more >

The Arkansas House has voted to ban employers in the state from requiring their employees to be implanted with a microchip. read more >

For those of us who have never been rich or even seriously entertained the prospect, the idea that millions of dollars, even after taxes, year after year would not be adequate is mind-boggling. read more >

Phase 1 set an expedited process for reviewing proposals for generation systems above the state’s 300-kilowatt cap for net metering. Phase II, deliberating future rate structures, has taken time. read more >

Rep. Stephen Meeks of Greenbrier says a $250 donation or two could never sway his thinking on solar power or any other issue. read more >

As regulators weigh arguments on how utility customers should pay for self-generated electricity, the lawmaker who helped initiate the process clarifies which side he's on: the utilities. read more >

After the state attorney general's office made a case Thursday to allow Arkansas utilities to essentially pay less for electricity generated by customers with solar power systems, citing language in a 2015 law, the law's sponsor begged to differ. read more >

Arkansas legislators wrapped up the bulk of their work for the 2017 regular session Monday, approving a $5.5 billion budget and establishing a rainy day fund for future fiscal emergencies. read more >

Arkansas lawmakers are joining with Gov. Asa Hutchinson to encourage schools to disregard an Obama administration directive that they must permit transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their chosen gender identity. read more >

An Arkansas lawmaker said Wednesday that the state should ban California wine as retribution for the West Coast state's law requiring egg-laying hens to be able to stand up, turn around and fully extend their wings. read more >

Republican Rep. Stephen Meeks says his bill would save tax dollars and protect the environment. The 13-page bill would require city and county governments to use energy efficient lighting when replacing fixtures and attempt to reduce glare from billboards and onto private property. read more >

Legislators and others got their first look at a $27,000, refrigerator-sized biorefinery that converts camelina, a wheat-like crop, into bio-fuel. read more >

Arkansas lawmakers on Thursday delayed an attempt to override Gov. Mike Beebe's veto of legislation that would require the state's voters to show photo identification at the polls. read more >