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Monday, Apr 2, 2007 Session's end is near, lawmakers say By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - The final pieces of the legislative jigsaw puzzle - the nearly $9 billion state budget lawmakers have been working on since early January - are expected to be passed and put together today as the 86th General Assembly enters it's 13th and fina - Monday, Apr 2, 2007 Past News Legislation addresses copper theft rise By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Two people have died in Arkansas in recent months after being electrocuted while trying to strip copper wire from utility poles. - Sun, Apr 01, 2007 U.S. wind industry growing, equipment supply stretched thin By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Although legislation offering a tax break to windmill blade manufacturers quickly blew through the state Legislature, U. - Sun, Apr 01, 2007 Legislature working to end session next week By Rob Moritz and Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - The Legislature took giant steps Friday toward ending the session by Tuesday, including passing the Revenue Stabilization Act, which sets priorities for spending nearly $9 billion in state money. - Sat, Mar 31, 2007 Group running ad against defeated legislation By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A political ad blasting a proposal to extend legislators' term limits has been airing on some Arkansas television stations, even though the legislation failed to get out of committee and is described by its sponsor as "essentially dead. - Sat, Mar 31, 2007 Legislative briefs Compiled by the Arkansas News Bureau House member apologizes for words uttered "in heat of battle" - Sat, Mar 31, 2007 Trauma centers in critical condition By Doug Thompson and Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Last-minute negotiations Friday did not produce a source for financing trauma centers statewide will continue into Monday, the bill's sponsor said. - Sat, Mar 31, 2007 Animal cruelty bill appears doomed By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - A last-gasp attempt to advance animal cruelty legislation failed Friday when a Senate committee rejected a bill to make second-offense cruelty to a dog, cat or horse a felony. - Sat, Mar 31, 2007 Arkansas unemployment rate falls to 5 percent Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas' unemployment rate fell one-tenth of 1 percent in February to 5 percent, labor statistics released Friday showed. - Sat, Mar 31, 2007 State spending bills on their way By Rob Moritz and Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - The House and Senate on Thursday approved a resolution extending the session through Tuesday, and the Joint Budget Committee advanced a plan to spend the state's anticipated $919 million surplus. - Fri, Mar 30, 2007 Lies about U.S. attorney purge continue, fired prosecutor says By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Fired federal prosecutor Bud Cummins took strong exception Thursday to testimony by a former Justice Department official about the firings of Cummins and seven other U. - Fri, Mar 30, 2007 Bill to outlaw harboring illegal immigrants advances By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - A bill that would make it illegal for a person to knowingly harbor or transport an illegal immigrant cleared a House committee on Thursday. - Fri, Mar 30, 2007 Speaker's ethics bill stalls By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - A Senate committee heavily amended House Speaker Benny Petrus' ethics bill Thursday, then tabled the measure for further review as the end of the legislative session nears. - Fri, Mar 30, 2007 Legislation drawn to lure manufacturing jobs to state By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Legislation to establish a tax exemption for windmill blade manufacturers targets a specific company that is considering locating in Arkansas, a spokesman for Gov. - Fri, Mar 30, 2007 Legislative briefs Compiled by the Arkansas News Bureau Listed on the House agenda for Friday is a motion by Rep. Frank Glidewell, R-Fort Smith, to pull Senate Bill 959 out of the House Judiciary Committee, where it failed twice to win an endorsement Tuesday. - Fri, Mar 30, 2007 House OKs new beer tax; Senate approves resolution for annual session By Rob Moritz and Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - The House narrowly passed a 1 percent beer tax to fund programs for abused and neglected children Wednesday, while the Senate reversed itself and voted to refer to voters a proposed constitutional amendment to authorize annual legislative sess - Thu, Mar 29, 2007 Both animal cruelty bills falter By Doug Thompson and John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Both versions of a bill to increase penalties for cruelty to dogs, cats and horses failed to get out of committee on Wednesday, lessening the chances that either will pass in the waning days of the session. - Thu, Mar 29, 2007 Group would consider petitioning to put gay adoptions, foster ban on ballot By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - The head of a Christian conservative group that helped draw legislation to ban gays and unmarried couples who live together from fostering or adopting children in Arkansas said Wednesday it might try to put the measure on the 2008 general elec - Thu, Mar 29, 2007 Committee endorses industry-supported payday lending bill By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A House committee on Wednesday endorsed a bill that would place limits on payday lenders, although critics say the bill does little or nothing to protect consumers. - Thu, Mar 29, 2007 Legislative briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau Respectful language now required in Arkansas law - Thu, Mar 29, 2007 Gay foster parenting ban dies in committee By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A bill to ban gay people and unmarried couples who live together from adopting children or becoming foster parents failed to clear a House committee Tuesday. - Wed, Mar 28, 2007 Arkansas' personal income grew 4.7 percent in 2006 By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas' personal income rate grew 4.7 percent between 2005 and 2006, but the state still fell one spot to 48th nationwide in per capita income, according to preliminary federal figures released Tuesday. - Wed, Mar 28, 2007 Beebe: Surplus close to $919 million By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Add another $76 million to the state's anticipated budget surplus. - Wed, Mar 28, 2007 Senate rejects annual sessions; committee to resolve trauma center funding dispute By Rob Moritz and Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - A proposed constitutional amendment to authorize annual legislative sessions failed on its first Senate vote Tuesday, and formation of a House-Senate conference committee was announced to find a funding source for a $40 million new statewide n - Wed, Mar 28, 2007 Beebe signs quick-action closing fund bill By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe signed into law Tuesday a bill creating a quick-action closing fund the governor can use to seal economic development deals. - Wed, Mar 28, 2007 Legislative briefs Compiled by the Arkansas News Bureau Drunken driving bill advances - Wed, Mar 28, 2007 Tarp bill rejected - again By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - A House committee on Tuesday rejected, for the second time, a bill which would require drivers hauling gravel, sand or rock on public roadways to place a tarp over their loads. - Wed, Mar 28, 2007 House approves facilities funding approved, annual sessions By Rob Moritz and Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - The House on Monday approved a $456 million appropriation for public school improvements, along with a proposed constitutional amendment to authorize annual legislative sessions. - Tue, Mar 27, 2007 Bill to require signs at abortion clinics stalls in committee By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A bill that would require abortion clinics to post signs advising patients they cannot be forced to have an abortion failed to clear a Senate committee Monday. - Tue, Mar 27, 2007 Funding taken out of rainy day fund bill By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Lawmakers got their first glimpse Monday at session-ending legislation to prioritize nearly $9 billion in state spending over the next two years, while a $200 million appropriation was stripped from a bill to set up a state rainy day fund. - Tue, Mar 27, 2007 Committee rejects bill to reduce mercury in vaccinations By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A bill to reduce mercury levels in vaccinations and require written consent before children or pregnant women could receive vaccinations containing mercury failed to get out of a Senate committee Monday. - Tue, Mar 27, 2007 Legislative Briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau House rejects bill to raise marriage license fee - Tue, Mar 27, 2007 Beebe appoints 14 to state panels Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe announced 14 appointments to state boards and commissions Monday. - Tue, Mar 27, 2007 Animal cruelty bill defeated in committee By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A bill to make cruel treatment of dogs and cats a felony was defeated in a House committee Monday. - Tue, Mar 27, 2007 Legislature close to completing work, but ending this week doubtful By Rob Moritz and Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - An apparent agreement has been reached on the Revenue Stabilization Act, which sets the state's spending priorities for the next two years, and a copy could be distributed to lawmakers as early as today. - Mon, Mar 26, 2007 Proposed change to petition requirements likely to face court challenge By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A bill to change the requirements for third parties to get on Arkansas' ballot is likely to result in a lawsuit against the state if it is signed into law in its present form, according to both supporters and opponents of the measure. - Sun, Mar 25, 2007 Facilities funding held up By Rob Moritz and Doug Thompson - Sat, Mar 24, 2007 Legislative Briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau House votes to end anonymous environmental complaints - Sat, Mar 24, 2007 Committee endorses bill to reform mental health care system for children By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A bill that has been described as a road map for reforming Arkansas' system of providing mental health care to children sailed through a House committee Friday. - Sat, Mar 24, 2007 Arkansas train accidents with public increased in 2006 Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas railroad crossing collisions and fatalities increased slightly in 2006 compared to a year ago, while train accidents not involving the public decreased, according to the Federal Railroad Administration and Operation Lifesaver. - Sat, Mar 24, 2007 Coughlin didn't tell, but Wal-Mart bought silence, attorneys argue By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - Former Wal-Mart Stores Inc. executive Thomas Coughlin hid fraud he had previously committed against the company while negotiating a multi-million dollar retirement deal, and that should void the deal, the retailer's attorney argued before the - Fri, Mar 23, 2007 House OKs no-force abortion bill; Senate approves eminent domain bill By Rob Moritz and John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - The House on Thursday approved a bill that would require an abortion doctor to inform patients that they can't be forced to have the procedure, along with 246 General Improvement Fund appropriation bills to fund local projects with state money - Fri, Mar 23, 2007 House panel approves eliminating a workers' comp trust fund By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - A House committee approved Thursday legislation to eliminate a dwindling workers' compensation fund, making businesses responsible for paying wage loss to employees hired with disabilities who are injured on the job. - Fri, Mar 23, 2007 Drug court bill stalls in committee By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A Senate bill to expand drug courts failed to clear a House committee Thursday, and the sponsor said he would amend the measure to appease the concerns of judges who oppose it. - Fri, Mar 23, 2007 House panel OKs teen driver bill By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - A House panel on Thursday recommended a bill that would expand the state's current graduated driver's license requirements for teenage drivers. - Fri, Mar 23, 2007 Alligator hunting proposed for Arkansas By Joe Mosby LITTLE ROCK - The state Game and Fish Commission set Arkansas' basic hunting seasons Thursday as expected, but several new proposals considered will require action at the commission's April meeting, including alligator hunting. - Fri, Mar 23, 2007 Commission OKs name change for Pine Bluff lake Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Lake Pine Bluff is no more. - Fri, Mar 23, 2007 Governor announces appointments to state panels Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Seventeen appointments to state boards and commissions were announced Thursday by Gov. - Fri, Mar 23, 2007 Highway bond bill goes to governor By Doug Thompson and Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - A $575 million highway bond authorization bill for the state Highway Commission successfully took its last step in the Legislature on Wednesday. - Thu, Mar 22, 2007 Legislators discuss youth lockup with facility's management By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - The private company managing the Alexander Juvenile Correctional Facility will hire a private investigator to look at complaints filed by inmates, the company's manager told a House committee Wednesday. - Thu, Mar 22, 2007 Joint committee recommends two proposed amendments By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - The Joint Committee on Constitutional Amendments voted Wednesday to advance proposals for annual legislative sessions and to clean up outdated language from the state constitution to the House and Senate. - Thu, Mar 22, 2007 Beebe sees problems with bill to ban gay adoption By Doug Thompson and John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe said Wednesday he sees constitutional problems with a bill to ban gays and unmarried couples who live together from adopting children or serving as foster parents in Arkansas. - Thu, Mar 22, 2007 Beebe calls for reform of children's mental health care By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas needs to find more flexible, cost-effective approaches to providing mental health services to children, Gov. - Thu, Mar 22, 2007 AG's opinion says textbook bills constitutionally suspect By James Jefferson LITTLE ROCK - A trio of bills intended to create competition in sales and lower the cost of college textbooks may place unconstitutional restrictions on state colleges and universities, the attorney general's office said in an opinion issued Wednesday. - Thu, Mar 22, 2007 Funding source for trauma bill amended By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas car owners could see a $12 a year hike in their insurance premiums under an amended bill that would create and fund a new trauma system in the state. - Thu, Mar 22, 2007 Panel recommends bill to ban anonymous complaints By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A House committee on Wednesday endorsed a bill to ban anonymous complaints to the state Department of Environmental Quality over the objections of the department and the state attorney general. - Thu, Mar 22, 2007 Bill to allow online resale of tickets advances By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - A House committee Wednesday endorsed legislation that would allow Web sites to scalp tickets to sporting events or concerts if promoters of the event and the venue agree. - Thu, Mar 22, 2007 Legislative briefs Compiled by the Arkansas News Bureau Beer tax endorsed in Senate committee - Thu, Mar 22, 2007 Court of Appeals reverses murder conviction By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A man who was convicted in Pulaski County of first-degree murder after being arrested in Fort Smith should receive a new trial because of incorrectly admitted evidence, the state Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday. - Thu, Mar 22, 2007 Court of Appeals issues stay in wine distributors' lawsuit By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - For the second time, the state Court of Appeals on Wednesday stayed the proceedings in a civil suit that accuses the state of giving illegal preference to Arkansas wineries. - Thu, Mar 22, 2007 Charter school bill escapes hostile amendment By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - Supporters of a bill to make it easier to open charter schools avoided a hostile amendment Wednesday and got the version they wanted out of the Senate Education Committee. - Thu, Mar 22, 2007 Safe Foods gets regulatory clearance in Canada Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas-based Safe Foods Corp. announced Wednesday that it received regulatory clearance from Health Canada for poultry processors to begin treating their products with its food safety technology. - Thu, Mar 22, 2007 House, Senate approve separate animal cruelty bills By Doug Thompson and Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - The House and Senate on Tuesday passed separate versions of legislation to criminalize extreme cruelty toward a cat, dog or horse. - Wed, Mar 21, 2007 Budget panel endorses $456 million for facilities; GIF bills total $2.7 billion By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - The Joint Budget Committee endorsed a recommended $456 million for academic facilities Tuesday and got its first glimpse at a list of local project funding bills totaling $2. - Wed, Mar 21, 2007 Legislative Briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau Senator hospitalized - Wed, Mar 21, 2007 Bill to increase DWI fines, fund community health centers advances By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A House panel on Tuesday endorsed a bill to increase the fine for driving while intoxicated from $300 to $400 and use the additional $100 to help fund community health centers. - Wed, Mar 21, 2007 Bill to tax illegal drugs stalls in House committee By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - A bill that would tax users, possessors and traffickers of illegal substances, even if they were not convicted by a court, failed to get approval from the House Committee on Revenue and Taxation on Tuesday. - Wed, Mar 21, 2007 Panel rejects tarp bill, endorses tracking drivers' drug tests By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - A House committee Tuesday rejected a bill to require drivers hauling gravel, sand or rock on public roadways to place a tarp over their loads. - Wed, Mar 21, 2007 Proposed beverage container deposit program debated By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Proponents of a proposed statewide beverage container deposit program told lawmakers Tuesday the program would encourage recycling and reduce litter, but opponents said the program would place unfair burdens on the beverage industry and consum - Wed, Mar 21, 2007 Speaker pledges state money for battered women's shelters By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - Providing state funding for battered women's shelters will be one of the Legislature's top priorities, the House speaker pledged Tuesday. - Wed, Mar 21, 2007 Chambers pass competing drug court bills By Doug Thompson and Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - The House and Senate on Monday passed competing bills to expand Arkansas' drug court program. - Tue, Mar 20, 2007 'Clearly constitutional' spending bills to be considered as package By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Some appropriation bills seeking to channel state money from an anticipated $843 million surplus into local projects will be lumped into a "clearly constitutional" category to be voted on this week by the Joint Budget Committee, a committee co - Tue, Mar 20, 2007 Bill to hike mental health reimbursement clears committee By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - A bill that would require the state to seek an increase in reimbursement for mental health service providers cleared a Senate committee on Monday, despite protests that there was no money or need for the measure. - Tue, Mar 20, 2007 Legislative panel recommends settlement in disabled man's death By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A legislative subcommittee on Monday concurred in an agreement by the state Department of Health and Human Services to pay a $150,000 settlement to the family of a disabled man who died in state care. - Tue, Mar 20, 2007 Legislative Briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau House backing Senate highway bonds bill - Tue, Mar 20, 2007 Governor releases $250,000 for disaster relief Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe authorized another $250,000 in state funds Monday to assist victims of last month's storms in Southeast Arkansas. - Tue, Mar 20, 2007 State GOP names new executive director Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The Republican Party of Arkansas on Monday tapped the Bush administration for its new executive director. - Tue, Mar 20, 2007 Beebe appoints new member to ASU board Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe named Howard L. Slinkard of Rogers to the Arkansas State University Board of Trustees on Monday. - Tue, Mar 20, 2007 Landowners offered money to aid bobwhite quail preservation By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Federal and state officials on Monday announced an initiative to save the state's declining bobwhite quail population in the Fayetteville Shale play swath of Arkansas. - Tue, Mar 20, 2007 Hearing ordered in excessive force case Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - A federal appeals panel ordered a new hearing Monday in an Arkansas prison inmate's lawsuit claiming excessive force by a state correctional officer. - Tue, Mar 20, 2007 Lawmakers to take up animal cruelty, facilities funding, consitutional amendments By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Animal cruelty, $456 million for academic facilities and proposed constitutional amendments are among the major issues legislators will tackle this week, the 11th of the 86th General Assembly. - Mon, Mar 19, 2007 Special masters report progress By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - The state met its obligation to fund public schools in a 2006 special legislative session and to regularly study adequacy, and has also made progress in other areas of school funding, according to an interim report released Friday by the Supre - Sat, Mar 17, 2007 Outspoken judge to face disciplinary hearing By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - In a 5-3 vote, the state Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission decided Friday to conduct a disciplinary hearing to determine whether public comments by state Court of Appeals Judge Wendell Griffen violated the judicial code. - Sat, Mar 17, 2007 Ethics Commission dismisses complaint over hard drives By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - The state Ethics Commission voted 4-0 Friday to dismiss a complaint over former Gov. - Sat, Mar 17, 2007 House approves facilities bills, election legislation By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - The House on Friday approved a package of legislation aimed at setting out the program for overhauling public school facilities, and lawmakers were told they'd be asked to give the governor authority to call a bond election for additional faci - Sat, Mar 17, 2007 Governor offers support for research funding By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe pledged his support Friday to university officials seeking more research funding, but made no promise of success. - Sat, Mar 17, 2007 House committee endorses five amendments By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A House committee decided Friday to recommend proposed constitutional amendments that would establish a state lottery, create annual legislative sessions, extend legislators' terms, make raising taxes more difficult and do away with the office - Sat, Mar 17, 2007 Legislative Briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau House OKs panel to set up umbilical cord blood network - Sat, Mar 17, 2007 Agriculture Hall of Fame inducts five members By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe was on hand Friday to help the Farm Bureau welcome five inductees into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame. - Sat, Mar 17, 2007 Young drivers and roads get lawmakers' consideration By Doug Thompson and Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - The Senate passed legislation to increase restrictions on teenage drivers Thursday, along with bills that would expand college scholarship programs. - Fri, Mar 16, 2007 Income tax reduction formula clears House committee By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - State fiscal officers say Gov. Mike Beebe's balanced budget proposal leaves no room for tax cuts beyond the $319 million already signed into law, but a House committee approved legislation Thursday that would provide more relief if the state c - Fri, Mar 16, 2007 Senate committee makes amendment picks By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - A Senate committee Thursday settled on recommending proposed constitutional amendments that would broaden legislative authority, clean-up of the state constitution's election provisions and guarantee the right to hunt and fish. - Fri, Mar 16, 2007 Committee endorses change to hot check law By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Legislation that would make bouncing checks for $500 or less a misdemeanor won a House committee's endorsement Thursday, though opponents argued the bill would encourage the writing of more bad checks. - Fri, Mar 16, 2007 Senate committee balks at performance-based higher ed funding By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - State government spends $640 million a year on higher education with no clear goals in mind, members of the Senate Education Committee said Thursday in a pointed discussion of higher education spending. - Fri, Mar 16, 2007 Panel endorses bill to bar sex offenders from living near parks, youth centers By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Certain sex offenders would be prohibited from living within 2,000 feet of a public park or youth center under a bill endorsed Thursday by the House Judiciary Committee. - Fri, Mar 16, 2007 Legislative Briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau Competition heats up for surplus money - Fri, Mar 16, 2007 State Supreme Court answers question in inmate death case By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Answering a question posed by another court, the state Supreme Court on Thursday indirectly affirmed a court ruling exonerating law enforcement officers in the death of a Crawford County inmate. - Fri, Mar 16, 2007 School funding increases signed into law By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe signed two public school funding increases totaling $121. - Thu, Mar 15, 2007 House OK ethics reform bill; Senate approves payday lending legislation By Rob Moritz and Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - The predominantly Democratic state House overwhelmingly approved an ethics reform bill by its speaker Wednesday despite the state Democratic Party chairman's e-mail campaign against the measure. - Thu, Mar 15, 2007 Panel endorses scholarship bills By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - The Senate Education Committee on Wednesday recommended a bill that would raise the family income limit to qualify for an Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship from $65,000 to $75,000 a year. - Thu, Mar 15, 2007 Legislation to strengthen property rights during gas exploration fails By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Legislation intended to strengthen property rights for landowners who do not possess the minerals underneath their property failed to win a House committee's endorsement Wednesday. - Thu, Mar 15, 2007 Committee rejects bill to raise tobacco tax By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A bill to increase the state's excise tax on cigarettes by 50 cents per pack to raise money for health programs and discourage smoking failed to clear a House committee Wednesday. - Thu, Mar 15, 2007 Legislative Briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau Gov. Mike Beebe said Wednesday that his campaign pledge to support legislative efforts to reinstate a state ban on gays serving as foster parents did not include a ban on gay adoptions. - Thu, Mar 15, 2007 Proposed amendment addresses term limits, ethics reform By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Voters may be willing to extend legislators' terms if lawmakers are willing to give up some of the perks of office, Rep. - Thu, Mar 15, 2007 Bill to change petition requirements for new political parties advances By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A House committee Wednesday endorsed a bill to change the requirements for organizing new political parties in Arkansas, though representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union said the bill was not a good remedy for current problems with - Thu, Mar 15, 2007 Senate OKs bill to ban gay adoptive, foster parents By Doug Thompson and Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Legislation to ban gays and unmarried couples who live together from adopting children and serving as foster parents passed the Senate on Tuesday, along with a proposed renewal of a $575 million interstate highway bond program. - Wed, Mar 14, 2007 Gay adoption roll call Arkansas News Bureau The roll-call of the vote by which Senate Bill 959 by Sen. Shawn Womack, R-Mountain Home, passed 20-7 Tuesday in the Senate. - Wed, Mar 14, 2007 House speaker's ethics bills clear committee By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Legislation described by House Speaker Benny Petrus as an attempt to create greater transparency in government sailed through the House Rules Committee on Tuesday. - Wed, Mar 14, 2007 Bill to allow transfer of dormant mineral rights stalls By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - A bill that would allow the owners of surface property to recover unused mineral rights owned by someone else failed to advance past the House Revenue and Taxation Committee on Tuesday. - Wed, Mar 14, 2007 House panel endorses breastfeeding bill By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A bill to protect breastfeeding mothers from prosecution for indecent exposure received a House committee's endorsement Tuesday. - Wed, Mar 14, 2007 Legislative briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau House approved bill to fund fast-growing districts - Wed, Mar 14, 2007 Aircraft sales and management company launches By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - With a number of ownership and operational options in the aviation market, a new company has formed in Little Rock to match those options to clients' travel needs. - Wed, Mar 14, 2007 Economic development agency to name new spokesman Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The state economic development has hired a new spokesman. - Wed, Mar 14, 2007 Bill to ban gay adoptions, foster parenting advances By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - Gays and unmarried couples living together would be banned from adopting children and serving as foster parents in Arkansas under legislation that a Senate committee endorsed Monday. - Tue, Mar 13, 2007 Partnership between school district, church wins conditional approval By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A proposal by the Texarkana School District to sponsor a charter school in partnership with a church - an arrangement that would be the first of its kind in the state - received tentative approval Monday from the state Board of Education. - Tue, Mar 13, 2007 Senate OKs bingo guidelines, stalls on driver's license changes By Doug Thompson and Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - The Senate approved legislation Monday that would set guidelines for legalizing charitable bingo and raffles, and defeated a bill to raise the minimum driving age to 15 and place restrictions on other young drivers. - Tue, Mar 13, 2007 Drug court bill pulled By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Judges remained steadfast Monday in their opposition to a proposed expansion of drug courts that would include legislative oversight. - Tue, Mar 13, 2007 Legislative Briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau Senate approves expense increase - Tue, Mar 13, 2007 Facilities funding, committee agendas on lawmakers minds this week By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - With just one major piece of funding legislation left to be approved, lawmakers pushing for a March 30 end to the regular session will cast their attention this week on a mountain of bills crowding committee agendas. - Mon, Mar 12, 2007 With major tax relief on the books, many lesser tax breaks to die By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - To counterbalance rising education costs, college students say they desperately need a sales tax exemption on used textbooks, which already have been taxed once. - Sun, Mar 11, 2007 Opposites together on public breastfeeding bill By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Diametrically opposed on most social issues, one cause in the Legislature has forged perhaps the closest thing to an agreement between the American Civil Liberties Union and the Family Council - breastfeeding. - Sun, Mar 11, 2007 Northwest Arkansas Republican enjoys 'seat at table' in House leadership By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Even with Democrats holding the governor's office, all the top state offices and majorities in both houses of the Legislature, one state lawmaker says it isn't a bad time to be a Republican in Arkansas. - Sun, Mar 11, 2007 House sends funding formula bills to governor By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - The House on Friday took final action on two bills that form the framework of the state's $5. - Sat, Mar 10, 2007 Legislative briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau Bill to create global warming commission advances - Sat, Mar 10, 2007 Rove defends firing of U.S. attorneys By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - White House political adviser Karl Rove on Thursday defended the Bush administration's controversial firing of Arkansas' Bud Cummins and seven U. - Fri, Mar 09, 2007 Arkansas unemployment rate falls to 5.1 percent Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas' unemployment rate fell three-tenths of 1 percent in January to 5. - Fri, Mar 09, 2007 Desegregation oversight incentives endorsed By Rob Moritz and Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - A bill endorsed by a House committee Thursday would offer financial incentives to two of the three Pulaski County school districts to end federal supervision of desegregation efforts that have cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars. - Fri, Mar 09, 2007 Quick action fund gets quick action By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe's request for a quick-action closing fund to seal economic development deals received quick action from a Senate committee on Thursday. - Fri, Mar 09, 2007 Arkansas group seeks railroad reform By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - A coalition of business and civic groups decried rising rail shipping rates and declining rail service Thursday and called on Arkansas' congressional delegation to support anti-trust legislation for railroads. - Fri, Mar 09, 2007 Legislative Briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau Budget panel approves increase in payments to lawmakers - Fri, Mar 09, 2007 Mickelson to headline Stephens golf tourney Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Barely two weeks after defending his Masters championship, Phil Mickelson will be the celebrity for the second Jackson T. - Fri, Mar 09, 2007 Dillard's same store sales fall 9 percent Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Dillard's Inc. announced Thursday that sales in comparable stores for the four weeks that ended March 3 were down 9 percent, while total sales decreased 8 percent during the period. - Fri, Mar 09, 2007 Committee hears testimony on lottery proposal By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Lt. Gov. Bill Halter testified before a House committee Wednesday that a state lottery to benefit education could allow Arkansas to rid itself of its distinction as the state with the 49th lowest per capita income in the nation. - Thu, Mar 08, 2007 Voter identification bill stalls in committee By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A bill to require voters to show photo identification at the polls stalled Wednesday in a House committee. - Thu, Mar 08, 2007 Legislators estimate $90 million will be available for general improvement spending sent: March 7, 2007 Arkansas News Bureau - Thu, Mar 08, 2007 Bill to keep sex offenders away from child victims clears committee By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - Nita Colclasure of Lonoke hears the hammers pounding every day, building a new home for the man convicted of sexually abusing her daughter. - Thu, Mar 08, 2007 House approves school funding appropriation By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - The House on Wednesday approved legislation appropriating $5. - Thu, Mar 08, 2007 Legislative Briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau Regional highway authority bill clears Senate committee - Thu, Mar 08, 2007 Committee endorses college textbook bills By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - A House committee Wednesday endorsed a pair of bills intended to make college textbooks more affordable. - Thu, Mar 08, 2007 Towing conflicts with border states escalate By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - A Senate committee Wednesday endorsed legislation that would authorize the state to fine out-of-state tow truck operators for pickups in Arkansas if their home state bans Arkansas towers from operating there. - Thu, Mar 08, 2007 Beebe announces appointments to state panels Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Nineteen appointments to state boards and commissions were announced Wednesday by Gov. - Thu, Mar 08, 2007 Lawmakers recommend $456 million for facilities By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - A legislative committee Tuesday unanimously endorsed a study calling for the Legislature to devote $456 million - just over half of a projected $843 million surplus - to renovate dilapidated school facilities. - Wed, Mar 07, 2007 Senate approves education bills, House endorses framework for splitting DHHS By Doug Thompson and Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - The Senate on Tuesday approved the two core pieces of Arkansas' school funding formula for the next two years, along with a $5. - Wed, Mar 07, 2007 Supporters tout bill to raise cigarette tax by 50 cents a pack By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - A statewide coalition of health organizations Tuesday backed a proposed increase in Arkansas' tobacco tax to raise money for health programs. - Wed, Mar 07, 2007 No more tax cuts, lawmakers told By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - The more than $300 million in tax relief the Legislature has approved this year is about all the state can afford over the next two years, the state's chief fiscal officer said Tuesday. - Wed, Mar 07, 2007 Report: UA needs more financial support, minority enrollment By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - The University of Arkansas will need increased financial support and higher minority enrollment if it is to meet its goals for 2010, according to a report released Tuesday. - Wed, Mar 07, 2007 Bill to require referendum on advertising and promotion taxes fails By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - A House committee rejected legislation Tuesday that would require voter approval for cities and counties to levy advertising and promotion taxes. - Wed, Mar 07, 2007 Legislative briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau The House on Tuesday approved SB 298 by Sen. Dave Bisbee, R-Rogers, which would clarify the definition of impact fees. - Wed, Mar 07, 2007 Dillard's declares cash dividend Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Dillard's Inc. has announced a cash dividend of 4 cents per share on its Class A and Class B Common Stock, approved by the department store chain's board of directors. - Wed, Mar 07, 2007 Kleine joins UALR staff By Harry King LITTLE ROCK - The best big man in Arkansas Razorback history and a 15-year veteran of the NBA, Joe Kleine was hired Wednesday to coach post players at Arkansas-Little Rock. - Wed, Mar 07, 2007 Beebe signs income tax relief bill By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe on Monday signed legislation that will remove Arkansans' lowest-earning taxpayers from state tax rolls. - Tue, Mar 06, 2007 Budget panel endorses school funding bill By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - The Joint Budget Committee endorsed legislation Monday that calls for spending about $5. - Tue, Mar 06, 2007 House OKs regional mobility legislation By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - The House on Monday approved legislation that could affect regional transportation projects and the state's wine industry, and voted down a bill that would have doubled the number of open-enrollment charter schools allowed in the state. - Tue, Mar 06, 2007 Abortion bill, gay foster parent ban among flurry filed on deadline By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Legislation that would reinstate the state's ban on gay foster parents and require abortion clinics to post signs advising patients that they can't be forced to have the procedure were among a flurry of bills introduced Monday, the filing dead - Tue, Mar 06, 2007 Restrictions on young drivers clears Senate committee By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - A Senate committee Monday endorsed legislation that would raise the minimum driving age to 15, restrict young drivers from late-night driving and ban them from using a cell phone while behind the wheel. - Tue, Mar 06, 2007 Legislative Briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau Apostrophe resolution approved - Tue, Mar 06, 2007 Arkansas housing market improves By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas home sales fell slightly more than 2 percent in January compared to the same month a year ago, but the decline was less than in previous months, the Arkansas Realtors Association reported Monday. - Tue, Mar 06, 2007 End in sight, lawmakers say By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - The 86th General Assembly enters its ninth week today, and lawmakers say they are starting to see the light at the end. - Mon, Mar 05, 2007 Business groups happy with legislative session By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Under a governor who has made negotiation the overarching theme of Arkansas' 86th General Assembly, business groups have fared well and found much to praise in the first eight weeks of the regular session, business representatives say. - Sun, Mar 04, 2007 |
