Arkansas Comprehensive Annual Financial Report

The state's annual financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007 has been released early in order to comply with disclosure requirements of Arkansas bond issues.

Click here for the report (186 pages)

Cotton Bowl Parade

This one's from the mailbag taken by a camera phone -- not by me, though. I'm still stuck in the office. Emmitt Smith served as the grand marshal.

A lawmaker's New Year's Eve

I'm sure you can conjure up all sorts of images by that title, but this'll be a pretty tame although interesting project tonight. The largest sales tax increase in Texarkana since the sales tax was implemented will take place at midnight tonight due to the effect of the 2003 Streamlined Sales Tax Act (kinda ironic that it occurs alongside the largest tax cut in Arkansas history). I'm going to head over to Albertson's about 11:30 p.m. and purchase groceries before midnight. I'll then purchase an identical set of groceries at the same store shortly after midnight to gauge the difference (and more importantly, to gauge the likely damage to Arkansas-side grocers while many residents drive across State Line Avenue, where groceries remain tax free).

The Gazette sent out a blistering editorial yesterday. I wasn't named, nor was I even in the Legislature when this thing was enacted in 2003, but similar articles and editorials have generated some pretty tough mail and phone calls in the past few weeks. Hopefully, we'll be able to weather this storm. In the meantime, I'm hopeful that (a) we can either repeal the other half of the grocery tax in the next legislative session and/or (b) revisit whether membership in the streamlined sales tax compact is worth the price all retailers in the state have to pay, even though the benefits are almost non-existent because of federal law.

New Year's Eve in Arkansas

Time	Place	Event
8:00 p.m.	Little Rock	Zoo Year's Eve
8:00 p.m.	Dallas	Rockin' Razorback Eve Celebration
8:00 p.m.	Fort Smith	Tinsel & Tails New Year's Eve Gala
9:00 p.m.	Mt. Magazine	"Midnight on the Mountain" New Year's Eve Party

Time	Place	Event
9:00 p.m.	Garrison McLain House	Mystery Dinner New Year's Eve party

New York Times: Opposition Parties Vow to Proceed With Jan. 8 Election
Wall Street Journal: Lobbying Abetted Mortgage Mess
Washington Post: An insider's guide to the upcoming week
Washington Post: McCain's Unlikely Ties to K Street
Los Angeles Times: Huckabee's double-edged faith
Houston Chronicle: Both political parties in Texas like '08 chances
Chicago Sun Times: Peterson top story of '07
Reuters: Kenya election protests

ABC-TV 13 Houston: TX Transportation chair dies suddenly
Nashville Tennessean: Cohen opposes lottery proposals
Shreveport Times: Jindal: No tax increase needed, income is plentiful
KOTV Tulsa News: Changes To State Tax Law Set To Take Effect
Jackson Clarion-Ledger: New tax plan?: Gov. Barbour pledged revamp
Southeast Missourian: New year, new health care ideas

Ark Democrat Gazette: Study to decide if cthouse will attain fed park status
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Arkansas’s economic indicators
Ark. News Bureau: Some businesses may be unaware of new gift card rules
Stephens DC Bureau: Huckabee labels Romney 'dishonest' as Iowa caucus nears
Associated Press: Legislative leaders shaping priorities for 2009
Associated Press: Desegregation monitoring, Ark school-funding fight end in 2007

Jacksonville's efforts for a stand-alone school district

Today's Arkansas Leader features the top stories for Jacksonville in 2007. Among them is Jacksonville's effort to create its own stand alone school district separate from the Pulaski County Special School District. Rep. Will Bond pushed through legislation allowing the formation of a north Pulaski County school district, but the legislation has been tied up in federal court. The Act doesn't create a stand-alone Jacksonville-area school district, but it makes one possible.

Such a move has the support of the community, including Brig. Gen. Rowayne Schatz, the commander of the 314th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base. Additionally, a local organization has prepared a five-minute video detailing the deteriorating condition of many Jacksonville schools in an attempt to rally the troops. Here's the video:

Campaign claims: sorting truth from fiction

Today's Washington Post has a good read on recent claims made by presidential candidates on the trail. Candidates may have been given a pass for embellishments made in years past, but today, they make good fodder for the media and rival campaigns in the era of blogs and YouTube.

Meter on Conway home runs backwards

This guy's house in Conway is so energy efficient that it produces more electricity than it's taking in from the city power grid. When he shuts off all the appliances in the home, his meter will run backwards. Does this mean the electric company writes him a check?

Homes like this are more feasible due to net metering legislation pushed through in the last session by Lindsley Smith (D-Fayetteville), which actually provides credit to customers that accumulate "net excess generation."

Hog flags flying

There's a steady stream of Hog fans traveling through Texarkana on I-30 en route to the Cotton Bowl this morning. Reminds me of the good old SWC days when we were the gateway to Texas for Razorback fans heading to games and vice versa for the other fans coming to Fayetteville or Little Rock.

Today at Pinnacle Mountain

If you're looking for something to do other than take down Christmas decorations or return gifts today, Pinnacle Mountain State Park will host a hayride and campfire beginning at 3:00. $8 for adults and $6 for kids: 501-868-5806.

Doug Thompson on the satellite medical school

Doug Thompson takes up the UAMS satellite medical school campus in his Saturday column. He writes that there's no need in discussing other professional schools in Arkansas as was done in a recent poll here "when there's not enough primary care physicians or vital specialists for them to refer patients to."

Some readers I've heard from since the poll have taken a regional stand on this issue, and it's not a northwest vs. central Arkansas debate. I think it's a fiscal debate and one that should turn on whether a satellite campus is needed. Initially, the proposed expansion was to cost about $ 11 million annually, a figure that has since been modified to the $5-$8 million range. UAMS says that the project will allow them to train about 250 to 295 more students and residents annually.

How does rural Arkansas attract an increased number of physicians in the state? As Thompson points out in his column, supply and demand isn't increasing the number of doctors in rural counties. I don't think the congressional district quota is the answer. This is likely a topic for a future blog post, but I know one incentive programs exists specifically for this issue: Arkansas Community Match Loan and Rural Physician Recruitment Program.

Governor's weekly radio address

Message To The 39th Infantry Brigade. Click play on the console below:

All-digital TV: The February, 2009 deadline

On February 17, 2009, federal law requires that all full-power television broadcast stations stop broadcasting in analog format and broadcast only in digital format. This move will impact 144,240 Arkansans, mostly economically disadvantaged and those living in rural areas.

What does this mean for southwest Arkansas with respect to AETN? We're currently on the fringe coverage area of AETN's analog Channel 9 (KETG in Arkadelphia). Cable One, which provides cable service to over 20,000 households in Texarkana, obtains the analog KETG signal through a very tall tower just east of town. Satellite subscribers in this area can only obtain Louisiana Public Broadcasting since we're in the Shreveport media market.

For the last couple of years, AETN has also been broadcasting their KETG programming via their new digital channel 13 from the same tower in Arkadelphia. Reception of that digital signal is hit or miss here in Texarkana. As is the case with any digital signal, those on the outskirts of the coverage area on the map below may not be able to receive any signal, whereas the analog broadcast would simply be snowy. This is something that will be of interest to viewers of AETN -- I'd like to keep AETN in our cable line-up and make it available for satellite subscribers in southwest Arkansas as well. Otherwise, we'll end up with another Louisiana station and receive less Arkansas news than we already do. Here's a picture showing the transmitters in the AETN broadcast system:

Friday in Arkansas

Time	Committee	Place	Agenda
1:00 p.m.	Public Health, Welfare & Labor	Batesville	Click here

New York Times: Pakistan Faces Outrage and New Turmoil
Wall Street Journal: Pakistan Plunges Into Crisis
Washington Post: U.S. Brokered Bhutto's Return to Pakistan
Los Angeles Times: Killing shatters hopes for stability in Pakistan
Houston Chronicle: Notable deaths of 2007
Chicago Tribune: Turmoil in Pakistan
Reuters: Bhutto's body flown home, Pakistan in crisis

Ft. Worth Star Telegram: Strip clubs alter argument against $5-per-customer tax
Nashville Tennessean: Shoppers welcome drop in sales tax on food
Shreveport Times: State Rep. Mike Powell resigns
Tulsa World: State revenue estimate suggests a bleak budget year
Jackson Clarion-Ledger: Season when MS makes laws apt to be brief, heated

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Gov. Beebe declines Cotton Bowl passes
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: US Lawmakers’ mailings cost millions
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Arkansas friend calls Bhutto a tireless ‘spirit’
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Stop bus runs, U.S. orders firm
Ark. News Bureau: Credit bureaus lessens effect of new security-freeze law
Ark. News Bureau: Lawmakers still in search of trauma system funding
Ark. News Bureau: Beebe announces appointments to two panels
Stephens DC Bureau: Arkansans saw Bhutto as champion of democracy
Associated Press: Ark. 'Security freeze' on credit reports takes effect Jan. 1
Associated Press: Beebe halving the grocery tax among top 2007 stories
Arkansas Times: Bound for heaven? Not 2007

Texarkana Gazette: Quest to decrease grocery sales tax halted by holiday
NWA Morning News: Couple Will Face Trial On Harboring Illegal Immigrants
Northwest Ark. Times: Fayetteville’s sales tax up for Oct. after year of skids
Benton County Daily Record: JPs search property for health or safety hazards
Jonesboro Sun: Paragould reports surplus
Hope Star: HCQC to finalize bond election
Searcy Daily Citizen: Bhutto death shocks locals

Max Brantley: Still waters at LRSD
Ernie Dumas: A vote for greed
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: First thoughts
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Pot, meet kettle
Texarkana Gazette: Death in Pakistan
Meredith Oakley: Going stateside
Pine Bluff Commercial: Begin by burnishing Pine Bluff's image

Faris on 1999 law's unintended consequences

Sen. Steve Faris (D-Malvern) discusses the unintended consequences of a 1999 Act in the Malvern Daily Record that bars legislators and other constitutional officers from taking jobs with any state agency, any public school district in a non-certified position, any vocational education school funded by the state and any education service cooperative.

Rep. Keven Anderson chimes in on the Rainy Day Fund

From today's Benton County Daily Record

Third candidate announces for House District 29

Republican Bud Lidzy of Bryant is the latest to announce for the position being vacated by Rep. Janet Johnson (D-Bryant) due to term limits. Thew other two announced candidates are Mike Beckwith (D) and Brett Hooton (R). Both parties consider this seat a top priority, and I understand a couple of more candidates are expected to announce for this seat. Apparently, no Republican has ever held this seat. Here are previous blog entries on this race:

11/2/07: Ann Clemmer to run for House District 29?
8/3/07: House District 29: High priority for both parties

House District 29

Here's a current list of all 2008 House races in Arkansas.

Get a gift card for Christmas? New consumer-friendly law

The Arkansas Fair Gift Card Act, sponsored by Rep. Will Bond (D-Jacksonville), was enacted in March of this year to make gift cards friendlier to Arkansas consumers. Among other things, the new law requires merchants to disclose the expiration date on the face of the card in 10-point type. No card can be issued that that is subject to an expiration date earlier than two years from the date of issuance. Any dormancy, service, or activation fees must also be disclosed on the face of the card.

This legislation comes at the request of consumers who've long complained of hassles associated with gift cards. For me, a $25 gift card simply oughta be worth $25. For instance, Shell imposes a fee of $1.75 each month after a year of non-use on its cards, and the All-Access Visa Gift Card charges a processing fee, a $4.95 monthly fee after the first year, and 50 cents just to check the balance of the gift by phone. Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s gift cards expire two years after they were last used. States other than Arkansas that have recently enacted similar legislation include Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and North Carolina.

Merry Christmas

Math getting tougher earlier

The Washington Post writes this morning about tougher math curriculum for elementary students here in the U.S. The article focuses on teachers as well. Regardless of the knowledge gap, many studies have shown that U.S. students' rank in math continues to fall when compared to that of students of other countries. Local case in point: a couple of area honor students went to China this Fall to participate in a scholastic program there. They're both back at semester after realizing that their U.S. background didn't prepare them for that type of rigorous environment.

States not in legislative session in 2008

There are six true "citizen" legislatures who do not meet in even-numbered years:

Arkansas
Texas
Montana
North Dakota
Nevada, and
Oregon

The other 43 states will have a session of some sort, and some are only expected to consider a few hundred bills (Alaska, Maine, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming) while others anticipate over 5,000 bills to be filed in the coming year (Tennessee, New York, New Jersey). Voters in Arkansas and Oregon will vote on whether to allow annual "budget" sessions in 2008, although unlike Arkansas, Oregon already has the ability to call themselves into session. Our Constitution only allows the governor to call us into a special session. I like the current setup, but I can see the benefits of an annual session as well. I'm still likely to vote against annual sesisons.

Ready for some Crosby and Cole

We've been hard at it since sun-up, and Camille's not tired of her toys yet. Christmas pictures

Ready or not?

The Trust for America's Health recently released a report ranking the states for preparedness to respond to public health emergencies. Arkansas ranked among the bottom six states for a few specific reasons:

• We do not have adequate plans to distribute emergency vaccines, antidotes, and medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile;

• We don't use a surveillance system compatible with the CDC's National Electronic Disease Surveillance System; and

• We don't have at least 14 Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers per 100,000 citizens.

The other states in the same boat include Mississippi, Iowa, Wisconsin, Nevada, and Wyoming. Here's the Arkansas Department of Health page on public health preparedness.

Ex Post Facto in reverse

Stephens Media has an article this morning about an Arkansas mother's pursuit to make a recently-modified criminal law retroactive to allow for the early release of her son, currently serving a 10 year sentence for manufacturing and possessing methamphetamine with intent to deliver. The 1997 statute mandating that meth manufacturers serve 70% of their sentence was modified in 2005 to 50% if the person completes substance abuse treatment and obtains a high school equivalency degree.

This is not your typical lobbying of an ex post facto law, but it still fits the definition of a law passed "after the occurrence of an event or action which retrospectively changes the legal consequences of the event or action." Still, while this would actually be a constitutional move, I don't think the Legislature will be scrambling to adopt it.

Christmas Eve news summary

Wall Street Journal: Retailers Hope for Big Final Push
New York Times: U.S. Officials See Waste in Pakistan Aid
Washington Post: Romney Strategy in Peril With Huckabee's Ascent
Washington Post: Dollar's Fall Is Felt Around The Globe
Los Angeles Times: Huckabee and the 23% sales tax
Houston Chronicle: Cigarette tax a hot ticket for state as few quit
Reuters: Israel weighs prisoner release

Nashville Tennessean LTE: Common sense cannot be legislated
Nashville Tennessean: Suggested changes to open meetings law lack sponsor
Lufkin Daily News: FYI: Age minimum is now 16 to buy fireworks
Lafayette (La.) Daily Advertiser: Delegation secures millions for local projects
WDAM-TV Hattiesburg: Federal appeals court delays Miss. voter ID requirement
Southeast Missourian: House committee report recommends funding of 911
Tulsa World: Report slams states pension system
Texarkana Gazette: New noncertified TX school employees face bg checks

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Schools losing students
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: New I-40’s noise irking neighbors
Ark. News Bureau: Mother works to make shortened meth sentences retroactive
Ark. News Bureau: Lawmaker says criticism of Huckabee over meth law unfair
Stephens DC Bureau: Congress completes far-reaching energy bill
Associated Press: Sharp Co. wet group says driving for alcohol hurts atmosphere
Associated Press: Fire strikes Thermo Fisher plant

Texarkana Gazette: Home for the holidays
Northwest Ark. Times: Council, arts group weigh options with fmr Tyson facility
Benton County Daily Record: County lawmakers laud 2009 House speaker
Jonesboro Sun: Police charge Hinder singer with DWI
Harrison Daily Times: JPs ease strings on deputies' salaries
Russellville Courier: Russellville City Council approves 2008 budget
Arkansas Leader: Communities pleased with $39 million for projects

John Brummett: Just say maybe
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: ’Tis the season
Texarkana Gazette: Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus
Arkansas Leader: Feds give us holiday gifts
Arkansas Leader LTE: Late with FOIs
Pine Bluff Commercial: Christmas brings many beautiful memories
Pat Lynch: Keeping Christmastime
Vic Harville cartoon

Politics: A contact sport

The newspaper in New Hampshire's capital city published a pretty tough editorial against presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Sunday's Concord Monitor includes commentary calling Romney a phony and saying that he "must be stopped." Not something the Romney campaign wants to see just 16 days away from the NH primary.

Sunday morning Ark-La-Tex roundup

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Many states see finances start to slip
Stephens DC Bureau: For Beebe, it's in the cards
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Walton’s wealth makes museum top-level player
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: UA program lets students blossom, aids cities
Hoyt Purvis: Getting a charge out of reading
John Brummett: Death Row wedding
John Brummett (national column): Just say maybe
Log Cabin Democrat: Halter confident lottery will be on November ballot
Texarkana Gazette editorial: Working it out
Associated Press: Storms, wind knock power out to 6,000 throughout Arkansas
Meredith Oakley: Open before oohing
Texarkana Gazette: What next?
Roby Brock: Arkansas business update
David Sanders: Christmas wishes for others
Arkansas Democrat Gazette editorial: Big Media calling
Arkansas Democrat Gazette editorial: The horse race
Kane Webb: A Christmas mystery
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Opponents seek rehearing on SWEPCO power plant
Steve Barnes: A Christmas conversation, part two

Austin American Statesman: Texas pension funds confront disinvestment
Dallas Morning News: Year in Review: Stories that shaped DFW in 2007
Ft. Worth Star-Telegram: Texas could be key to nominations
San Antonio Express-News: Perry's remark highlights Bush's lame duck status
Midland Reporter Telegram: Perry questions Bush's credentials as a conservative
Navy Times: 5 Texas military installations to share $2.5M
Killeen Daily Herald: Toll roads lawsuit hits speed bump

Shreveport Times: Louisiana lawmakers secure millions for local projects
New Orleans Times Picayune: On the Hill
Monroe News Star: Jindal wants to spend state surplus on one-time needs
Monroe News Star: Governor's gift to youth, Louisiana
WWL-TV New Orleans: A look at Gov. Kathleen Blanco's term in office
Shreveport Times: Bossier Parish hires nonprofit for state changes

Charming and aloof, Huckabee changed state

That's the title of an article on the front page of today's New York Times, written by Adam Nossiter, David Barstow and Steve Barnes. The article analyzes the Huckabee governorship and includes quotes from Senators Jimmy Jeffress, Jim Argue and John Paul Capps, former legislators Peggy Jeffries and Jake Files, Bobby Roberts, Jimmy Cunningham, Rex Nelson, John Wesley Hall, Elaine Colclasure, Henry Morgan, Larry Jegley, and even my old law school classmate and occasional commenter on Under the Dome, Cory Cox. Here's the link (and a second link).

Saturday in Arkansas

Not much going on today. My folks are celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary, and I'm in the office trying to get caught up before I head out and fight the crowd to finish up my shopping.

New York Times: 9/11 Panel Study Finds That C.I.A. Withheld Tapes
Wall Street Journal: Banks Abandon Rescue Fund
Washington Post: FBI Prepares Vast Database Of Biometrics
Washington Post: The trail
Los Angeles Times: Gov. to start 2008 with a budget smackdown
Chicago Tribune: Feds link governor to probe
Houston Chronicle: Still on Gates' task list: Gitmo, Osama
Reuters: White House hopefuls temper campaigning for Christmas

Nashville Tennessean: Rainy day fund could aid budget
San Antonio Express-News: Commentary: Battle won't end for fair tax system
New Orleans Times Picayune: 2 local legislators top House leadership
Tulsa World: Oklahoma Budget grows but is tight
Oklahoma Journal Record column: Legislative elves
Mississippi Press: Alabama fan asks for help with car tags
McComb (MS) Enterpise Journal editorial: Pre-K proposal not ambitious enough
Kansas City Star: Plan to lift casino loss limit in motion

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Fiscal chief apologizes for timing of tax rules
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Companies vie for chance to publish state’s code
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Thousands wait hours as press fails
Ark. News Bureau: Questions abound over changes in state tax law
Ark. News Bureau: Lawmakers endorse study of exchange student placement
Ark. News Bureau: Ethics Comm. dismisses complaint against Greenwood mayor
Associated Press: Judge tosses part of suit against Huckabee over hard drives
Associated Press: Product Recalls affect Arkansas
Associated Press: Clinton School to expand to building owned by public library
Associated Press: Ark., Mo. governors bet bales of cotton on Cotton Bowl

Texarkana Gazette: Coal plant opponents try again
NWA Morning News: AG opinion: Keep courtroom in county seat
Benton County Daily Record: XNA sees fewer business travelers during holidays
Jonesboro Sun: Panel endorses cable proposal
Pine Bluff Commercial: Seark opens bids for building
Baxter Bulletin: Students aim to help blind classmates
Benton Courier: Beckwith is second state rep candidate
Arkansas Leader (Wed.): AF officials ask district for new schools
Heber Springs Sun-Times: I love this place!
El Dorado News-Times: Citizens, city officials air frustration about crime

John Brummett: Damien Echols' pursuit of 'magic'
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Warm, fuzzy and fearless
Texarkana Gazette: Energy bill
Mike Masterson: Raid sends a message
Doug Thompson: Remembering Santa

Arkansas unemployment figures

The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services released unemployment figures for November today -- we remained at 5.7%. Where does that rank among the states? Not good -- 46th. Our all-time high is 10.2% (March, 1983), and the all-time low in Arkansas is 4.1% (September, 2000). The current U.S. unemployment rate is 4.7%.

The U.S. Department of Labor has yet to release November unemployment figures for the Texarkana MSA, but the rate in October (not seasonally adjusted) was 4.4%. The Texas unemployment rate rose a notch to 4.2%. Here are Arkansas figures by county for October, 2007:

Governor's weekly radio address

Holiday message. Click play on the console below:

Concealed carry OK in wildlife management areas

The Game and Fish Commission has adopted a policy to allow concealed handgun permits holders to carry weapons into Game and Fish camping areas, boating access areas and field trial areas. The policy does not override weapons prohibitions at federal facilities or by private land owners. Here's more:

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Associated Press

Burkes and Gore

Today's mail just arrived, and with it came a Christmas card from the Burkes family. They're opposites politically, but Rep. Aaron Burkes (R-Lowell) has gone Al Gore on us as he makes his exit from the political arena. Burkes stayed loyal to his philosophy -- a true limited government conservative. We took a stand together against HB1072, which we thought intruded on protected speech. I think the beard looks pretty good.

Mississippi to land another auto plant?

The Jackson Clarion-Ledger is reporting this morning that Germany's Volkswagen AG and Italian automaker Fiat are contemplating expansions to the Southeast, possibly to Mississippi. No word from Gov. Barbour's office or the Mississippi Development Authority, but the article reports that one of the reasons Toyota chose Mississippi as the site of its newest Highlander manufacturing plant this year was due to the trust established by keeping talks quiet.

47th Biennial Report of the Arkansas Highway Commission

As required by law, the Arkansas State Highway Commission has submitted its 47th Biennial Report for review by the Legislative Council this morning.

Other reports to be submitted today:
Arkansas Insurance Department Annual Report for 2006
Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission Annual Report for 2007

ADC 2007 Annual Report

At this morning's monthly Legislative Council meeting, the Arkansas Department of Correction will submit its annual report in accordance with Ark. Code Ann. §12-27-107. The report includes the department's budget, a statewide population assessment, and detailed information about offenses.

Click here for the report

Friday in Arkansas

Time	Committee	Room	Agenda
10:00 a.m.	Arkansas Legislative Council	171	Click here
1:00 p.m.	Task Force on Autism	151	Not available

Time	Place	Event
10:00 a.m.	East Camden	Ark. Law Enforcement Academy Graduation
1:00 p.m.	Queen Wilhelmina	Christmas on the Mountain
8:00 p.m.	Little Rock	Yuletide Spectacular at the Robinson Center

Washington Post: Bush Is Upbeat About Economy's Prospects
Washington Post: Spending Bills Still Stuffed With Earmarks
New York Times: Scientists Weigh Stem Cells’ Role as Cancer Cause
Wall Street Journal: Putin's Past, Russia's Future
Los Angeles Times: The Democrats won? No one told Bush
Reuters: Suicide attack kills 41 in Pakistan mosque

Austin American Statesman: State agency's $1M GPS system a no-go
Nashville Tennessean: Endless campaigning leaves this voter revolted
New Orleans Times Picayune: Louisiana colleges given OK to borrow up to $200M
Baton Rouge Advocate: Our Views: Adding lanes on freeways
The Oklahoman: Large prizes won't up sales, lawmaker says
Jackson Clarion-Ledger: Auto plant: Can Mississippi lure another one?
Jackson Clarion-Ledger: Barbour claiming right to set vote date on Lott vacancy
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Veterans groups back tax increase

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Mistake removes way out of leases
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Christmas tree farms in state see ups, downs
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Schools to share in grant
Ark. News Bureau: Southwestern Energy to invest $1B in Fayetteville Shale in 2008
Ark. News Bureau: Catfish to return to Buffalo River
Ark. News Bureau: Beebe announces appointments to state panels
Stephens DC Bureau: Congress passes Howard courthouse legislation
Associated Press: Lincoln: Bush criticism of spending bill 'sour grapes'
Associated Press: Delta Regional Authority gets boost in funding
Associated Press: Constitution Party can put pres. candidate on Ark. ballot

Texarkana Gazette: Congress approves budgets for 5 area lakes
Texarkana Gazette: Corps closes 3 boat ramps
NWA Morning News: Women's Jail Coming To Downtown Fayetteville
El Dorado News Times: JPs agree to ‘send a message’ to state about mandates
Benton County Daily Record: Condo builders seek alternatives for site
Jonesboro Sun: Money for Ark. in federal budget
Hope Star: Split ABC rejects liquor appeal
Batesville Daily Guard: No tax increase needed
Harrison Daily Times: $200,000 for NorthArk
Heber Springs Sun-Times: Heber Springs enacts noise ordinance
Arkansas Leader: Spending bill includes millions for area
Helena Daily World: 2008 city budget passes
Helena Daily World: Helena once home to one of the south's best opera houses

Paul Greenberg: One solitary life
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: ’Tis the season
Texarkana Gazette: Christmas gifts (congressional spending)
Russellville Courier: When ‘rights’ are wronged (2nd Amendment)
Brenda Blagg: Official Mulls Growth
Meredith Oakley: The greatest gift
Vic Harville cartoon

Motion for rehearing filed on PSC ruling

The last day to file an application for rehearing in the case involving the Hempstead County power plant before the Arkansas Public Service Commission was today. The Intervenors filed a 65-page motion for rehearing shortly before Noon today.

The PSC can now grant or deny rehearing, abrogate or modify its original order, or it can even reopen the record for the purpose of receiving and considering additional evidence. If no action is taken within 30 days of today's date, the motion is deemed denied. The annotations to the statute setting out this procedure (Ark. Code Ann. §23-2-422) declare that the PSC's ruling should be set aside on judicial review only for the "clearest abuse of discretion."

Capitol Christmas

The governor and first lady hosted members of the Legislature and staff last night for a Christmas party at the Governor's Mansion. Here's a picture of the governor with Rep. Nancy Blount (D-Marianna), and below that is a picture of the Capitol taken from the north last night.

A few links of interest:
• Pictures of county ornaments on the Capitol Christmas tree

• Purchase an Arkansas Christmas ornament

• "Lights of Arkansas" pictures

• Walnut Grove Church, Boxley

Toxic toys legislation

If you didn't see Vic Harville's most recent cartoon down below in today's links, click the link -- he raises an issue now being considered by some legislatures around the country. Recent reports show that a high number of toys are contaminated with lead, mercury, and cadmium at levels that are dangerously high. The United States remains one of the few countries in the world that still allow the import of plastic toys made with phthalates, a key toxin used frequently in children's toys.

Maine and Washington are considering legislation that would require manufacturers to disclose the toxins that are in their toys and give agencies the authority to require manufacturers to use a safer alternative. California recently passed AB 1108, which banned most phthalates. We're still 13 months from convening for the next regular legislative session, and this is a problem that will likely be highly regulated by that time. Once other large states follow California's lead, manufacturers are likely to take notice and remove these toxins from their products.

Iowa Caucus Watch Party

The Clinton School will host an Iowa Caucus Watch Party with call-in reports via speaker phone from national political pundits, journalists and representatives from the campaigns of leading candidates in both the Republican and Democratic parties.

• Thursday, January 3, 2008 -- 7:30 p.m.
• Sturgis Hall, Clinton School of Public Service in Little Rock
• Reserve your seat now by calling (501) 683-5239

NFL taking fight to state capitols -- Update

When the 10-1 Dallas Cowboys faced the 10-1 Green Bay Packers two weeks ago, only subscribers to the NFL Network were able to watch the game, and most cable companies don't carry that channel. The NFL now wants to end the standoff, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed Texas lawmakers in Austin last week about "the importance of cable companies being pro-consumer." The Texas Cable Association says this isn't an issue for lawmakers to consider. That's probably correct to the point that cable companies are largely governed by the FCC.

The commissioner will be visiting with Wisconsin legislators today in Madison. The NFL might even get involved in cable companies’ franchise renewal applications, a spokesman for the NFL has said.

State lawmakers have intervened in cable content before. The Big 10 has its own network, and legislators in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin have introduced measures in those states to force that network and cable providers to negotiate by mandatory arbitration. That's the same resolution the NFL would like to see.

Local angle: As is the case with all our utilities down here, don't forget that Cable One provides cable service to both Arkansas and Texas residents. Because Cable One sits on the Texas-side of town and provides cable to Texas consumers, any action by the Texas Legislature could affect Arkansas-side consumers. Let's say the Texas Legislature directs the parties to arbitration, which Texas cable companies warn will only serve to raise cable rates. Since there is no "switch" that will only turn the NFL Network on in Texas-side households, we'll have to go along with whatever decision is made. As I often tell my constituents, what happens in Austin can be just as important as what happens in Little Rock.

Thursday in Arkansas

Time	Committee	Room	Agenda
1:00 p.m.	Task Force on Higher Ed Remediation/Retention	171	Click here
2:30 p.m.	Code Revision Commission	207	Click here
3:00 p.m.	ALC-Higher Education Subcommittee	171	Click here

Time	Place	Event
6:00 p.m.	TCC	Southwest Arkansas Bar Association Annual Meeting

New York Times: E.P.A. Says 17 States Can’t Set Emission Rules
Washington Post: Key Setbacks Dim Luster of Democrats' Year
Wall Street Journal: Republican Race Is Wide Open
Los Angeles Times: Democrats in power for a year, feeling unfulfilled
Los Angeles Times: More flee state than move in
Houston Chronicle: Texas fingerprint law troubles educators
Chicago Tribune: Crash kills astronaut's mom
Reuters: Giuliani hospitalized in Missouri

Midland (TX) Reporter-Telegram: Speaker Craddick takes up immigration
Killeen Daily Herald: Texas insurance rate among highest in U.S.
Lafayette Daily Advertiser: We need leaders; vote all of the politicians out
Baton Rouge Advocate: Jindal ethics panel targets legislator perks
Jackson Clarion-Ledger: Split precincts draw spotlight
Nashville Tennessean: Negative press might end 'bunker' plans
Tulsa World: Tulsa lawmaker pushes aid for ethics panel

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Pro-lottery committee says it’s spent $83,948
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Petrus joins lineup of Clinton backers
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Marshals museum loses out on funding
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Arkansas projects earmarked in spending bill
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Louisiana firm to buy LR hospital
Ark. News Bureau: Ark. personal income growth ranked 9th nationally in 3rd Q
Ark. News Bureau: Ark. surgeon general briefs lawmakers on health care
Ark. News Bureau: Rally held for "West Memphis Three'
Ark. News Bureau: Board grants beer permit
Stephens DC Bureau: Howard courthouse bill advances
Associated Press: Study: One third of Ark. payday lenders not regulated
Associated Press: Ark. Congressman recognize Broyles
Associated Press: Ark. board denies parole denied for convicted killer
Associated Press: Officer who shot 12-year-old resigns from West Memphis force

John Brummett: He talks, and talks, the talk
Russell McDermott: Only one religious question should matter in politics
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Neither Paul is dead
Northwest Arkansas Times: Worthy of attention
NWA Morning News: Our Veterans Have Earned Their Benefits
Mike Masterson: A ‘hollow’ decision
Vic Harville cartoon