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.

Elsewhere, Alltel Corp. has agreed to a $27.5 billion buyout. [Arkansas Democrat Gazette] [Arkansas News Bureau] [Associated Press 1] [Associated Press 2]

Washington Digest: Congress approves $2.9 trillion budget [Ark. News Bureau (DC Bureau)]

John Brummett: Great moments in presidential debates

Delaplaine residents fights to keep school [ADG]

More on the state's low ranking as to the number paying income tax [AP]