Rep. David Wyatt formally announces candidacy for Arkansas Senate
This story was just posted on the Batesville Guard site. With Senator Jack Critcher being term limited, this will be an open seat in the 2008 election cycle. Prior to serving in the House, David served as Independence County Judge for 20 years.
Here's a map of Senate District 12 -- it includes all of Jackson and much of Independence, White (Bald Knob and the outskirts of Searcy), and Cleburne Counties.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/31/2007 04:05:00 PM | Permalink |
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Hino expanding Marion plant
Governor Beebe announced at 3:00 p.m. today that Hino Motors Manufacturing USA will invest an additional $70 million to add equipment to its 400,000-square-foot Marion plant. Here's the governor's press release.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/31/2007 03:54:00 PM | Permalink |
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On the air this morning
Pat Lynch and I will discuss today's Arkansas Supreme Court ruling on the air this morning at 11:00 10:55 a.m. Listen online at www.supertalkarkansas.com.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/31/2007 10:41:00 AM | Permalink |
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BREAKING: Supreme Court ends Lake View
Today's ruling finds that the constitutional deficiencies in our public schools have been cured, ending the long-running case. The Court held as follows:
The General Assembly has taken the required and necessary legislative steps to assure that the school children of this state are provided an adequate education and a substantially equal educational opportunity. A critical component of this undertaking has been the comprehensive system for accounting and accountability, which has been put in place to provide state oversight of school-district expenditures. What is especially meaningful to this court is the Masters' finding that the General Assembly has expressly shown that constitutional compliance in the field of education is an ongoing task requiring constant study, review, and adjustment. In this court's view, Act 57 of the Second Extraordinary Session of 2003, requiring annual adequacy review by legislative committees, and Act 108 of the Second Extraordinary Session of 2003, establishing education as the State's first funding priority, are the cornerstones for assuring future compliance.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/31/2007 09:10:00 AM | Permalink |
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Continuation of agency rules/regs review
The Legislative Council Committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations will continue reviewing revisions to new agency rules/regs this morning. Here's the Agenda. Rules from the following agencies will be reviewed today:
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/31/2007 09:07:00 AM | Permalink |
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Thursday in Arkansas
Thursday's Calendar: 9:00 a.m. | Legislative Council Committee on Rules and Regulations (Rm. 151, Capitol) Agenda
1:00 p.m. | Lieutenant Governor Halter will award college scholarship money to students that are sons & daughters of local Law enforcement, firefighters and EMTs, first responders of Sept. 11th.
2:00 p.m. | ONE Arkansas media event (Capitol rotunda).
2:15 p.m. | Governor Beebe will tour Hino Motors to commemorate the shipment of the 100,000th axle produced at the Marion plant.
3:00 p.m. | Economic-development announcement at Hino Motors, Marion
6:00 p.m. | Southern Showdown Supper and live music (downtown El Dorado); this supper celebrates the upcoming Showdown at Sunset series, a re-enactment of the historic Tucker-Parnell feud in Union County.
Arkansas roundup: State News: Lawmakers question degree requirement for E.C. teachers [Ark. News Bureau] Teachers’ degree rule is not fair, some say [ADG] Court ruling on red dirt mine draws attention of Legislature [Ark. News Bureau] Newspaper: Hino to announce plant expansion [AP] Beebe plans announcement in Marion [Ark. News Bureau] Arkansas parks join in global treasure hunting [AP] Ark. regulators say they will fight higher electric rates [AP] Former appellate judge choice for monitor in deseg case [Ark. News Bureau] County jail inmate responsibility case before Supreme Court [Ark. News Bureau] State offering free teacher workshops [ADG]
Constituency Services: How to reach me today: If you need information or assistance with an individual problem or case regarding a state agency, please give me a call. If it's of local or federal concern, call me anyway -- I'll put you in touch with the right person.
I'll be out of town until 2:30 today. You can reach me by calling my office (870-772-0300), and they'll connect you through to my mobile if I'm not back yet. If it's easier for you, you can also just send me an e-mail.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/31/2007 07:31:00 AM | Permalink |
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Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Review of state agency rules and regulations
Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. §10-3-309, a committee of the Legislative Council exists to review all rules and regulations of state agencies for the purpose of having a method of taking remedial steps to correct abuses of rulemaking authority and/or clarifying legislative intent with respect to the rulemaking authority of administrative boards, commissions, departments, or agencies.
Here's the Agenda for this week's review. So far, much of the discussion has been centered around the Dept. of Ed's rules/regs governing the Arkansas Better Chance Program, specifically section 11.01, which requires all classroom teachers in the ABC program to hold a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Eduction or Child Development. All of the Dept. of Ed's new rules were considered reviewed except for 11.01, 11.02, and 11.03, which were pulled down for revision to address some controversial issues, including a grandfather clause to these rules.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/30/2007 09:37:00 AM | Permalink |
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State ranking of school spending as a percentage of personal income
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/30/2007 09:27:00 AM | Permalink |
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Wednesday in Arkansas
Wednesday's Calendar: 8:30 a.m. | Governor Beebe, Lt. Gov. Halter, and Atty. Gen. McDaniel will participate in Senior Health and Fitness Day (Good Shepherd Retirement Center, Little Rock)
9:00 a.m. | Legislative Council Committee on Rules and Regulations (Rm. 151, Capitol) Agenda
11:30 a.m. | Lieutenant Governor Halter will deliver the keynote address to the Federal Employee's Association Luncheon
12:15 p.m. | Governor Beebe will address the Ouachita Timber Purchasers Group (Fish Nest Restaurant, Glenwood)
Arkansas roundup: State News: Gas stations not culprits, Ark. AG warns consumers [Legal Newsline] Entergy details bill cuts for three states [AP] XNA adds direct flight to Washington, D.C. [AP] Boll weevil program to focus on its debt [ADG] Arkansas to buoy up AmeriCorps [ADG] Arkansans join campaign opposing new fuel effic. standards [Ark. News Bureau] Overcrowding causes prison board to invoke EPA [Ark. News Bureau] Windstream acquires CT Communications for $585 million [Ark. News Bureau] Alltel reveals interest, suggestions for auction [Ark. News Bureau] Stephens Capital Partners completes two equity investments [Ark. News Bureau]
Constituency Services: How to reach me today: If you need information or assistance with an individual problem or case regarding a state agency, please give me a call. If it's of local or federal concern, call me anyway -- I'll put you in touch with the right person.
I'll be in Little Rock today. You can reach me by calling my office (870-772-0300), and they'll connect you through to my mobile. If it's easier for you, you can also just send me an e-mail.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/30/2007 06:36:00 AM | Permalink |
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Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Ginger Beebe makes stop in Texarkana
I just returned from First Lady Ginger Beebe's conference in Texarkana. This was the 10th stop on her statewide tour to address children’s mental health issues. 500,000 Arkansans experience some form of mental illness, and she has taken up the cause in an effort to increase awareness and understanding of the impact of mental illness on families. You can read more about the tour and this issue on her website. She even got an up arrow from Brummett this morning.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/29/2007 02:16:00 PM | Permalink |
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Texas Legislature adjourns sine die
The Texas Constitution limits the regular legislative session to 140 days, which expired at midnight. The House finished its substantive business at 11:30 p.m. last night, the biggest news of the day being that Speaker Craddick held on to his leadership position.
Here's a good summary of the Texas legislative session, courtesy of the Houston Chronicle
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/29/2007 08:22:00 AM | Permalink |
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Arkansas Roundup: Tuesday
Official: Ark. lags behind other states in economic development Clif Chitwood, a top official with the Great River Economic Development Area, said the state's "superprojects" amendment remains "too restrictive" to attract those large investments. The 2004 voter-approved constitutional amendment allows the state to offer up to 5 percent of general revenues for projects bringing at least 500 new jobs and more than $500 million in developments. [AP]
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/29/2007 07:39:00 AM | Permalink |
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Tuesday's Calendar
Ginger Beebe's Mental Health Tour will stop in Texarkana today at 1:45 p.m. Unfortunately, I'll be in El Dorado and unable to make the event I'll be able to attend after all.
Constituency Services: How to reach me today: If you need information or assistance with an individual problem or case regarding a state agency, please give me a call. If it's of local or federal concern, call me anyway -- I'll put you in touch with the right person.
I'm in the office until 11:00 a.m. today (870-772-0300). You can call that number after 11:00 a.m., and my office will connect you through to my mobile. If it's easier for you, you can also just send me an e-mail.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/29/2007 07:24:00 AM | Permalink |
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Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day
Update: Here are pictures from the service:
Thank you vets.
Our local Memorial Day service will take place at 11:40 a.m. at the Korean and Vietnam Memorial located at W. 7th and State Line. I'll update the blog with pictures after the service.
I'm the first in three generations in my family that didn't take part in a war (my dad was in Vietnam and both grandfathers -- one awarded with a purple heart -- fought in WWII). The flags in town are a service of Texarkana Rotary.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/28/2007 07:17:00 AM | Permalink |
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Memorial Day roundup
The Associated Press supplies us with a list of Amendment 75 park projects since the 1/8 cent conservation sales tax was approved by voters in 1996. I just so happened to be at one of these parks last night (Crater of Diamonds State Park) for a birthday party for one of Camille's friends. I saw this AP story before heading over there and thought to snap a pic of the sign for the blog.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/28/2007 07:06:00 AM | Permalink |
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Sunday, May 27, 2007
SEC Baseball Championship: Arkansas vs. Vandy (3:00 p.m.)
Today's game will likely pit Razorback Fr. LHP Dallas Keuchel vs. Vandy's Jr.RHP Ty Rhoden. This is the first time in SEC history a school has reached the championship game in football, basketball, and baseball in the same school year. Today's game will be televised by Fox Sports. Here's the Razorback Baseball Radio Network affiliate list. Tha link will also take you to an online broadcast of today's game.
The 16 Regional hosts for the road to the College World Series will be announced on ESPN around 2:15 today. The national seeds and the entire field will be announced tomorrow around 11:30.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/27/2007 10:25:00 AM | Permalink |
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posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/27/2007 09:25:00 AM | Permalink |
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Saturday, May 26, 2007
Murfreesboro Diamond Festival/Memorial Day weekend
Went into Murfreesboro this morning to walk around the square as the town prepares for today's Diamond Festival events. We'll head back into town after lunch, and I'll update and post more pictures later this afternoon.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/26/2007 12:47:00 PM | Permalink |
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National per student public school spending nears $9,000
The Associated Press this morning directs us to a release by the U.S. Census Bureau regarding some 2004-2005 school year data showing per pupil spending by state. Arkansas comes in at 38th from total spending that includes all revenue sources. This 2005 data shows Arkansas spending $7,504 per student, which is right behind South Carolina and ahead of Texas, Florida, South Dakota, North Carolina, Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee, Nevada, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Idaho, Arizona and Utah. We rank 9th in revenue from the state (total state revenue from all sources -- not just the foundation -- was then $6,489). If you want to peruse the data, click here (Excel spreadsheet).
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/26/2007 06:15:00 AM | Permalink |
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Congressional Real ID appropriation and its effect on states
On May 18, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security approved the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for FY2008. The bill provides only $50 million to assist states with the implementation of the Real ID.
What this means for states is that we are required to implement new federal standards for the issuance of drivers' licenses and identification cards by May 2008, or the federal government will not recognize the state’s DL/ID for federal purposes. The $50 million appropriation is far short of the $1 billion needed for start-up costs, as identified by NCSL, the National Governors Association, and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. The House bill will be considered by the full committee in the weeks following the Memorial Day recess, and Senate action will follow.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/26/2007 06:04:00 AM | Permalink |
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Hot Springs center prints 100,000th passport
This is interesting to me due to the sheer number of requests for help I've received recently on getting passports in hand prior to trips. Due to a surge in requests now that passports are required for flight travel into Mexico and the Caribbean, the normal 8-10 weeks required to get one has turned into 14-16 weeks in some cases. Thankfully, Jeff Weaver and Patricia Herring (with Congressman Ross) have ways of getting some attention to applications that are stale to the point where a departure may be jeopardized. We can all appreciate the thorough examination required in the process for our safety, but if you're awaiting a passport, and it's been more than 12 weeks, call me -- especially if you're leaving soon. Here's the AP story on the Hot Springs passport printing center.
Two workshops have been held to assist workers who have been on the list to be laid off -- the announcement that the plant would transition to a flexplant was made in 2006. Tough situation, but if there is a silver lining, it is that the initial job loss was anticipated to be as many as 500 positions.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/26/2007 05:50:00 AM | Permalink |
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AHS Young Democrats
The Arkansas High chapter is running about 30 strong -- much higher interest now than in years past. It's good to see so much commitment to the organization to come out on the Friday night of a holiday weekend.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/26/2007 05:45:00 AM | Permalink |
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Friday, May 25, 2007
Friday's calendar
Not much on tap today. I'll be speaking to the Arkansas High Young Democrats tonight at 7:00 p.m. at TaMolly's on 9th Street.
After that, we're headed up to Lake Greeson for the weekend and will be attending the 34th Annual Diamond Festival in Murfreesboro. That'll be the weekend headliner in our part of the state. The weekend's largest attraction statewide will be Riverfest.
Constituency Services: How to reach me this weekend: If you need information or assistance with an individual problem or case regarding a state agency, please give me a call. If it's of local or federal concern, call me anyway -- I'll put you in touch with the right person.
I'll be in the office today and in Murfreesboro this weekend. To reach me, try calling the the office (870-772-0300) on Friday. My number in Murfreesboro is 870-285-2492. If it's easier for you, you can also just send me an e-mail. I'll be in the office Monday morning after the local Memorial Day events in downtown Texarkana.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/25/2007 07:15:00 AM | Permalink |
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Arkansas roundup -- Friday
Governor Beebe told rural leaders Thursday at the Rural Development Conference that they'll have to fight harder for money for their local projects in light of Wilson v. Weiss and after the House changed the way such projects are funded. [AP]
Dustin McDaniel spoke in Fayetteville on Thursday about rising gas prices. I heard yesterday that prices in NWA are 20-30 cents higher than elsewhere in Arkansas. Any truth to that? My neighborhood station was selling regular unleaded at $2.94 yesterday. If someone from northwest Arkansas can check in, I'd appreciate it. Here's Andrew DeMillo's AP story from yesterday's conference in Fayetteville. Here's another from the Springdale Morning News.
Federal travel security chief in Ark. offers tips for summer trips [AP]
Ark. sets schedule to prep retailers for grocery tax cut [AP] [Ark. News Bureau]
State agency adopts emergency rule for food tax break [ADG]
Beebe signs on to call for D.C. gas-cost review [ADG]
Ginger Beebe to use paper dolls to promote reading and that the inspiration comes from a child [Ark. News Bureau]
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/25/2007 07:04:00 AM | Permalink |
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11th Annual Water Resources Conference
The Red River Valley Association heard several updates yesterday on making commercial navigation on the Red a reality from Shreveport/Bossier north into Arkansas. Texarkana hosted the 11th Annual Water Resources Conference yesterday. It's going to take a concerted effort between local, state, and federal governments along with cooperation and help from local landowners and private organizations. I spoke briefly about the Red River Waterways Trust Fund and other efforts Arkansas can make to hold up our end. Aaron Brand covered the conference yesterday for the Texarkana Gazette.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/25/2007 06:56:00 AM | Permalink |
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Thursday, May 24, 2007
Thursday's calendar
The Ark. Rural Development Conference will conclude today in Hot Springs. The House and Senate Committees on Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development will meet there at 10:30 (Rm. 103, Hot Springs Convention Center; Agenda). Governor Beebe will address the conference at Noon.
Elsewhere today, the governor will speak at the torch lighting for the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics on the Capitol steps (9:45 a.m.);
10:00 a.m.: First Lady Ginger Beebe will participate in the Flat Stanley Project news conference (Sturgis Hall, Clinton School of Public Service);
12:00 p.m.: Warren Stephens will speak on the State of Little Rock at Sturgis Hall;
12:00 p.m.: I'll be speaking at the 11th Annual Water Resource Conference (Holiday Inn, Texarkana) Agenda;
5:30 p.m.: The Texarkana Metropolitan Planning Organization will meet at Texas-side City Hall; and
7:00 p.m.: The Texarkana, Ark. Board of Adjustment will meet at the City Hall Board Room.
Constituency Services: How to reach me today: If you need information or assistance with an individual problem or case regarding a state agency, please give me a call. If it's of local or federal concern, call me anyway -- I'll put you in touch with the right person.
I'll be in and out today. To reach me, try calling the the office (870-772-0300) -- if I'm not in, they'll connect you through to me. If it's easier for you, you can also just send me an e-mail.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/24/2007 06:09:00 AM | Permalink |
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Arkansas roundup
Governor Beebe says there are no plans to restrict the definition of "groceries," which would affect the sales tax cut and could lead to accounting problems with the state and retailers. The governor says repealing the other half of the sales tax on groceries remains a top priority. [AP]
Richard Wilson told a legislative panel Wednesday that high gas prices could affect state revenue. Wilson, the assistant director for research with the Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research, said that Arkansans will continue to buy gasoline but may start spending less on non-essentials, such as going to movies or buying new clothes. DF&A Director Richard Weiss said his office's projections for sales tax growth was conservative. [Ark. News Bureau]
Beebe says east Arkansas could soon land new projects [AP]
State plans to keep eye on drilling operations [AP]
Hwy. Dept. program would use inmates to pick up roadway litter [Ark. News Bureau] [ADG]
Highway Commission votes to fine Union Pacific $2,500 [AP]
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/23/2007 10:55:00 AM | Permalink |
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Louisiana considering teacher pay raise package
The governor's proposed budget includes an annual pay raise of $2,375 each for Louisiana's 56,893 certified teachers and administrators. In addition, most teachers would get another $1,300 through the state's Minimum Foundation Formula. State Sen. Robert Adley (D-Bossier City) pointed out that the public school raises would make Louisiana teachers paid more than those in Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi. Here's the article from the Lafayette Daily Advertiser.
Another article in the Daily Advertiser mentions that the Legislature is considering raising the governor's salary to $135,000, making that position the 2nd highest paid in the country behind Maryland ($150,000).
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/23/2007 07:52:00 AM | Permalink |
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Wednesday's calendar -- Update
The Ark. Rural Development Conference resumes today at the Hot Springs Convention Center. The House and Senate Committees on Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development will meet there at 10:30 (Rm. 103; Agenda). Senate Efficiency will meet in the same room upon adjournment.
Update: There was no quorum present for the Senate Efficiency meeting, so it did not meet. Had a quorum been present, the committee would have considered hiring Bruce Campbell as special projects manager for the Senate at an annual salary of $60,000.
The governor will address LifeQuest of Arkansas this morning at Little Rock's Second Presbyterian Church (9:00 a.m.) before speaking at the Arkansas EMS rally on the Capitol steps (11:00 a.m.).
Constituency Services: How to reach me today: If you need information or assistance with an individual problem or case regarding a state agency, please give me a call. If it's of local or federal concern, call me anyway -- I'll put you in touch with the right person.
I'm in the office today (870-772-0300). If it's easier for you, you can also just send me an e-mail.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/23/2007 07:30:00 AM | Permalink |
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Arkansas highway projects for Memorial Day weekend
There are only a couple that may cause traffic problems: U.S. 67-167 in Pulaski County and on Interstate 40 in Prairie County. Locally, you may want to avoid the Interstate 30/Loop 245 interchange. Here's the Associated Press story.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/23/2007 01:45:00 AM | Permalink |
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Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Evaluation report from Act 1220 of 2003 (childhood obesity)
Three years ago, the UAMS College of Public Health was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to conduct interviews and an objective survey of public schools in Arkansas to determine their policies and practices related to physical activity, nutrition, and childhood obesity. Here is the report of the third year of this evaluation, which was released earlier this month.
The report concludes that there has been a continued acceptance of the BMI measurement by parents and students (and schools). The report found no evidence that BMI measurement and reporting caused increased teasing, unhealthy diet behaviors or excessive concern about weight. The Legislature, of course, repealed the BMI requirement this year (Act 201). It states that the most striking evidence of behavior change among students was in data showing changes in vending machine purchasing patterns over the past three years. It suggests that parental awareness of the health risks associated with childhood obesity has increased and that parents’ ability to accurately identify the weight status of their children also has increased.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/22/2007 08:55:00 AM | Permalink |
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AG rejects ballot proposal that would prevent lawyers from serving in the Legislature
Ouch. This proposal, cited as a legal "reform" measure, was rejected by Attorney General Dustin McDaniel on the basis that it contained too many ambiguities. The proposal would also prevent an attorney from being attorney general. The ballot measure was proposed by the Oden-based (Montgomery Co.) Campaign for Comprehensive Legal Reform led by Kerry M. Hicks. Rob Moritz has the story.
In other AG news, Dustin is wanting the sex offender MySpace data [Associated Press], and don't forget that Click it or Ticket started yesterday in the state [Forrest City Times-Herald].
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/22/2007 06:28:00 AM | Permalink |
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Tuesday calendar
The Ark. Rural Development Conference begins this morning at the Hot Springs Convention Center. The House and Senate Committees on Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development will meet there at 1:30 (Rm. 103; Agenda).
The governor will be speaking today to the Ozark Rotary (Noon at the Model Cafe) and at the grand opening of Creative Food Products in Bryant (3:00 p.m.). Ginger Beebe will hold news conference regarding her listening tour for children’s mental-health issues in Fort Smith and Springdale today.
Attorney General Dustin McDaniel is holding a cyber security workshop at the Embassy Suites in west Little Rock on online dangers at 8:00 a.m. this morning.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/22/2007 06:13:00 AM | Permalink |
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Monday, May 21, 2007
CBS Early Show tomorrow
CBS will be interviewing Marc-André Bougie of the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra tomorrow during its morning show (7:00 - 9:00 a.m.). The Texarkana Chorale will also be in attendance.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/21/2007 05:42:00 PM | Permalink |
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Update on HB1201
Governor Beebe will meet with some northeast Arkansas retired teachers today at the request of Rep. Mike Patterson (D-Piggott) to discuss potential solutions to the cost of health insurance. Currently, retired teachers on average are spending almost half of their current retirement benefit toward the cost of their health insurance premium. The state contributes much more to the health insurance premium of its other retired state employees.
The problem, as usual, is money. I filed HB1201 in the recently-adjourned legislative session, which would have equalized the state contribution for health insurance premiums between retired state employees and retired teachers. The price tag on that bill was approximately $15 million in the first year and $13.7 million each year thereafter. It failed in committee by a vote of 9-3 and was not in the governor's balanced budget. The Special Masters haven't generally given "Lake View credit" for these types of appropriations.
More on the state's low ranking as to the number paying income tax [AP]
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/21/2007 07:35:00 AM | Permalink |
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Sunday, May 20, 2007
Under the Dome 2.0: Open for comments
With over 500 unique visitors per day, I figure we have the traffic here to support an open line. What's going on in your part of the state?
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/20/2007 07:04:00 PM | Permalink |
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The spread of Giant Salvinia -- Update
My area of the state has been the introductory gateway for various nuisances in Arkansas: first it was fire ants, and this session it was killer bees. The next irritant from this direction is serious business and comes in the form of an aquatic weed called Giant Salvinia. Think of kudzu on steroids.
Here are a few illustrations of areas just south of here that are experiencing the problem. This first picture is Caddo Lake in its natural habitat (50 miles south of Texarkana). The next picture is a recent illustration of the infestion in the lake. This picture was taken during the winter, which has no effect on the growth of the weed.
Giant Salvinia is native to southeast Brazil. It was discovered in Houston in 1998. It was first discovered in Caddo Lake in 2006, and it's just a matter of time before it makes its way into Arkansas via boat motors and livewells from area anglers (most new infestations are found near boat ramps). The Texas Legislature is taking up the issue now in an effort to make the problem known to area residents. Once it takes hold, it will infest an entire lake in one season.
Here's another picture of Caddo Lake taken the same year it was discovered there. This shows how thick the infestation gets -- boats can't travel through it. The 2nd pic is an aerial shot of Toledo Bend on the Texas/Louisiana border.
It creates a monoculture and suffocates/smothers out all other plant life. It can be treated by a spray, but unless the entire weed is killed, it'll just come back, and it normally doubles in size in 4 days. Researchers have tried freezing it/scorching it to no avail. It's pretty tough stuff. There are apparently some Salvinia eating beetles in Australia that can help, but they're vulnerable to cold weather. Here are signs being posted notifying residents and fishermen of the danger:
Update -- Business Opportunity: How about rounding up all the salvinia and converting it to biofuel?
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/20/2007 04:29:00 PM | Permalink |
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Sunday afternoon roundup
Got busy overnight updating the script, so I took the morning off from the blog. Better late than never:
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/20/2007 03:32:00 PM | Permalink |
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Saturday, May 19, 2007
Week in pictures
Here are a few pictures I never got a chance to post this week. We stopped by the annual get-together this morning down in Fouke at the Rocky Mound Cemetery. Good crowd, but the auction prices on the pies weren't inflated as they would be in an election year. The mound cake Camille's eyeing to the right went for a mere $30.
Miller County Circuit Clerk Mary Pankey auctions off pies at today's event in Fouke
Rocky Mound Cemetery
Here's a picture of Lee Hamilton, former congressman and co-chair of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group. He also served as Vice Chair for the 9/11 Commission. He shared this thoughts on Friday about the current global situation and what it means to American policymakers. The picture below is of General Eric Shinseki, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (ret.). He focused on the macro issues Friday that are affecting the U.S. Military and what it means for states as we seek innovative solutions to daunting domestic challenges. He also mentioned a moving quote told to him by a former colleague on the battlefield:
I know that when I die, I'll die a free man on my feet -- not on my knees with my head bowed. There are people 30 miles from here on the border that can't make that statement. Because we can make that statement, our children can make that statement, and only free people who are willing to fight for freedom can spread and bequeath democracy.
Pictured below is William Pound (Executive Director of NCSL) along with Paul Tokasz (former majority leader of the New York House) and Paul Mannweiler, former speaker of the Indiana House. This group emphsized the fact that states are more influential now than we have been in years past for a variety of reasons (flush with money, etc). They also mentioned the fact that partisanship is growing in state legislatures, as is the time commitment and time demands for legislators. Also mentioned were that technology is bringing the people closer to the process. 20 years ago, all states were operating on a paper system. Today in Arkansas, legislation can be accessed with the click of a button, and hopefully one day, all committees and proceedings in the chamber will be broadcast online.
Congressman Vernon Ehlers discusses the relationship between Congress and state legislatures
Texarkana College Commencement on Tuesday
One of the Trans Ams leaves Texarkana Tuesday on the Bandit Run commemmorating the 30th Anniversary of Smokey and the Bandit
Camille near the finish line of the Whistlestop 5K in Ashdown last Saturday
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/19/2007 05:48:00 PM | Permalink |
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Saturday around the state
Local events: 8:30 a.m.: Great American Cleanup (Post Office) 9:00 a.m.: Veterans Information Fair (525 E. Broad) 10:30 a.m.: Rocky Mound Cemetery Fish Fry (Fouke) 6:00 p.m.: Wallace VFD Barbecue (Hwy. 32 - Little River Co.)
Constituency Services: How to reach me today: If you need information or assistance with an individual problem or case regarding a state agency, please give me a call. If it's of local or federal concern, call me anyway -- I'll put you in touch with the right person.
I'll be in the office after 1:00 p.m. today (870-772-0300). If it's easier for you, you can also just send me an e-mail.
State average gas price hits $3.023, sets record [ADG]
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/19/2007 07:57:00 AM | Permalink |
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Friday, May 18, 2007
Revolution of web-based media
I'm blogging live while covering John Harris, the Editor in Chief of the upstart newspaper-Internet hybrid Politico.com. After 21 years of writing for the Washington Post, he started this business, which is transforming coverage of government at all levels.
He admits that the editorial decisions to run front page stories on mage-outlets like the Washington Post have traditionally driven policy and talk on all of the newscasts. He believes that's now changing with these expanded sources of news.
One of the attractions to web-based news is the obvious: you can get news to millions of people much quicker (as news happens) and for much less cost than traditional news outlets. His particular site has 1.5 million unique visitors per month. He says reputation will differentiate serious journalism on the web from more sensationalism-style sites.
Sites like the Wall Street Journal and other specialized and established sites (Democrat-Gazette?) can continue to charge to access web-based content -- at least presently, he says. More and more of the content from the New York Times is being placed in front of the wall rather than behind it. He says columnists like Maureen Dowd are finding themselves increasingly irrelevant and out of everyday conversation because of this phenomenon of being inaccessible from the casual surfer looking for opinion. It'd be interesting to see Harris debate Walter Hussman on the issue. Maybe it can be arranged for a brown bag luncheon over at the Clinton Library. Skip?
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/18/2007 08:20:00 AM | Permalink |
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Arkansas roundup -- Friday
Non-biological father told to pay child support [ADG-Nasaw]
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/18/2007 08:02:00 AM | Permalink |
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Breakfast with Broder
Pretty enlightening program this morning with David Broder regarding the current political climate and how state legislatures can address priority issues in this political environment. He framed the current atmosphere as only someone of his caliber can.
While most of the conversation centered around the '08 election, state this morning included the National Popular Vote Act many states are considering and federal unfunded mandates routinely handed down to the states -- said that dissent by the states can be a useful thing to Congress to be confronted with reality on some issues (such as the Real ID Act; Utah on No Child Left Behind). Governments must consider what to do if other levels of government won't implement these mandates (goes for Congress and the states). He made it a point to mention that we're a training ground for Congress and that some federal legislators that come to Congress from the state legislature immediately forget where they came from.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/18/2007 07:44:00 AM | Permalink |
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Friday's Calendar
Today's Calendar: 8:00 a.m.: ALC-Policy Making (Rm. 309, Capitol) Agenda
9:00 a.m.: Legislative Council (Rm. 171, Capitol) Agenda
11:30 a.m.: LR Mayor Mark Stodola will speak to the Political Animals Club (Governor's Grand Hall)
12:00 p.m.: Governor Beebe will speak at the annual Peace Officers Memorial Service on the south lawn of the Capitol
Constituency Services: How to reach me today: If you need information or assistance with an individual problem or case regarding a state agency, please give me a call. If it's of local or federal concern, call me anyway -- I'll put you in touch with the right person.
I'm out of town today and will be returning tonight -- if you'll call 870-772-0300, my office will connect you through to me. If it's easier for you, you can also just send me an e-mail, which will come directly to my phone.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/18/2007 06:15:00 AM | Permalink |
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Thursday, May 17, 2007
Ark. delegation hopeful for S-CHIP reauthorization
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/17/2007 11:39:00 PM | Permalink |
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Policy innovations/Working with Congress
The good part about being a notetaker with a laptop is having the ability to just cut and paste my notes directly into the blog. Many of the issues discussed at our conference today were pretty wonkish and not particularly blogworthy. I'll spare you of a lot of that -- there were some good topics hashed throughout the afternoon, which I'll discuss here. One of the observations at meetings like this is the effect of term limits. Over the last two election cycles, we've lost a larger percentage of legislators than any other state. Not only does it exacerbate turnover, the loss of institutional memory can stifle some legislative action (which may be a good thing). On the other end of the spectrum, the representative next to me today has been majority leader in his state since I was in the 6th grade.
Our first program this afternoon dealt with policy innovations and collaboration with non-profit organizations. The talking point was that government, acting alone, cannot solve the complex issues facing us today. Ralph Smith, VP of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, explained that a wealth of resources exist for legislative leaders to leverage for addressing the most intracable and social and economic challenges facing state legislatures today. Many would suggest that this already exists at the Capitol, but I think the point is that governments should reach out and partner with organizations in the trenches to foster more innovative, cost effective public policies that better meet the needs of our constituents. Smith is right by saying that the bulk of the big issues and main services are at the state and local levels, and that they often land on our doorsteps at a point in time when we're stretched budget-wise.
The most profound quote of the day also came from Smith: "the difference between being a legislator and a statesman is being able to recognize the conflict between good politics and good policy."
We also had a conversation with former state legislators turned Congressmen Vernon Ehlers (R-Michigan), Michael Michaud (D-Maine), and Peter Roskam (R-Illinois) about a more effective bond between state legislatures and Congress. Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland) (himself a former legislator in the MD Senate) joined the conversation and offered some of his views on the leadership and the 110th Congress. We discussed a wide range of potential collaborative topics from enforcement of illegal immigration, federal educational measures (largely centered on No Child Left Behind), Streamlined Sales Tax (not on anyone's radar on the Hill), and state legislative budget restrictions compared to spending measures in Congress.
It's interesting to learn of the constitutional and statutory restrictions in other states. For instance, in Missouri, once a bill leaves the chamber, it cannot be called back for any reason. In Maryland, the budget is so executive-oriented that the legislature cannot amend a final budgetary proposal handed down by the governor. It can cut provisions and send supplemental budgets for approval, but it cannot increase individual appropriations for the fiscal budget. Of course, our own Revenue Stabilization Act is unique to any other funding mechanism in the country and prioritizes appropriations for general revenue in categories.
We'll hear from David Broder in the morning on the current political climate before discussing the revolution in web-based media outlets (a la Politico.com -- its founder will be the moderator tomorrow). We'll also discuss the role of state legislatures in protecting democracy and macro-issues that are affecting our National Guardsmen (in the communities with natural disasters and abroad) before ending on a discussion of institutional trends in state legislatures.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 5/17/2007 08:56:00 PM | Permalink |
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Democrat-Gazette Editorial: 'Time for Plan B'
I'm signing on from DC today while at a conference for majority leaders hosted by the National Conference of State Legislatures. I'll post some thoughts when I get a few minutes later this afternoon -- we'll be meeting with Leader Steny Hoyer in about an hour to discuss the relationship between state legislatures and Congress and how to make it more effective.
The Arkansas High chapter is running about 30 strong -- much higher interest now than in years past. It's good to see so much commitment to the organization to come out on the Friday night of a holiday weekend.
