President Clinton to speak in Texarkana tomorrow

President Bill Clinton will be in town tomorrow for a speech on behalf of the Clinton campaign.

Arkansas High School Cafetorium
1500 Jefferson Avenue
Texarkana, Arkansas

1:00 p.m.

Cancellation at the Clinton School

Per Blake Rutherford, Tom Delay has cancelled his speech at the Clinton School tonight.

Arkansas gets extension to comply with 2005 Real ID Act

For months, services that cover state politics and governments have highlighted difficulties of the 2005 Federal Real ID Act, which many state have resisted, calling it an underfunded mandate -- Arkansas included. The 2007 Legislature adopted two resolutions regarding our compliance.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security released the final regulations to implement the requirements of the Act, which include uniform mofifications to drivers' licenses (remember the RFID discussions we've had? That specific technology wasn't included in the final regs, but click the picture for more information on how this works).

As of May 11, state driver's licenses and identification cards will not be accepted for federal purposes unless a state is compliant or has been approved for an extension. We received a 19-month extension. Some states have vowed not to comply. It can be interpreted as a fairly intrusive measure, especially considering all of the biometric data that can be contained in the new identification cards (and already contained in licenses in Arkansas and 44 other states).

According to a study conducted by National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Governors Association and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the act will cost states more than $11 billion to implement over five years and will have a major impact on services to the public. To date, Congress has appropriated only $90 million to assist states with implementation of the Real ID, of which only $6 million has been obligated. The President's budget proposals have not included any funding requests to assist states with the implementation of the Real ID. This is a good example to show how states are also the recipient of unfunded and underfunded mandates.

Here's today's Democrat-Gazette article, and here are previous entries on the blog about the 2005 Federal Real ID Act:

Real ID Act still on course for implementation (5/9/07)
Congressional Real ID appropriation and its effect on states (5/26/07)
NCSL annual business meeting (8/8/07)

Thursday in Arkansas

Time	Event	Place
9:00a.m.	Mississippi Delta Grassroots Caucus Conference	Clinton Center
7:00 p.m.	Malvern Chamber of Commerce Banquet	1800 Moline

Court	Oral Arguments	Today's Opinions
Supreme Court	Wright v. Centerpoint	Click here (after 10:00 a.m.)
Ct of Appeals	No hearings today	No opinions released today

Time	Place	Event
10:30 a.m.	Jonesboro Chamber	AEDC Targeted Industries presentation
5:00 p.m.	Henderson St.	Ark. Higher Ed. Coord. Bd. reception
6:00 p.m.	Clinton School	Tom DeLay: "The Republicans in 2008"
6:00 p.m.	Eureka Springs	3rd Annual Mardi Gras Coronation Gala
7:30 p.m.	Robinson Center, LR	TAKE 6 Concert

Time	Place	Event
10:00 a.m.	Century Bank	Discussion on Red River Redevelopment Authority
5:00 p.m.	Cattleman's	Reception for Supreme Court Justice Paul Danielson
7:00 a.m.	Miles Chapel CME	Citywide Service

Arkansas High Young Democrats

The local chapter of the Young Democrats met last night at Arkansas High. Here's their group picture:

The 'Mrs. Clinton' they know

Here's an article that was published in this morning's Chicago Tribune about the Democratic primary here in Arkansas. Included are quotes from Dustin McDaniel, Janine Parry, and Pat O'Brien. Click here.

No. 113

I was voter 113 at the Miller County Courthouse this morning. I broke the tie -- prior to my vote, 56 Democratic and 56 Republican ballots had been cast.

Breaking: Edwards to withdraw

Presidential candidate John Edwards will apparently withdraw from the race in the same city he announced his intentions to run: New Orleans. Announcement today (Associated Press, MSNBC).

Two candidate announcements

Yancey Kyle (D-Smackover) has announced his intention to run for House District 7 to replace term-limited Rep. Robert Jeffrey (D-Camden). Here's today's El Dorado News-Times article.

Kyle Reeves (R-Searcy) has announced a campaign for House District 50, now held by Rep. David Evans (D-Searcy), who is term limited. Here's today's Searcy Daily Citizen article.

Concealed carry in the news

A Harrison student would like to see those with legal concealed gun permits have the ability to carry firearms on college campuses. Here's the article from the Harrison Daily Times, which includes interviews with Sens. Randy Laverty (D-Jasper) and Shawn Womack (R-Mountain Home).

Wednesday in Arkansas

Time	Committee	Room	Agenda
10:00 a.m.	Substance Abuse Treatment Task Force	130	Click here
1:30 a.m.	Desegregation Litigation Oversight/Resolution	171	Click here

Time	Event	Place
10:15a.m.	Governor gives remarks to the 21st Century Economy T.F.	Capitol

Court	Oral Arguments	Today's Opinions
Supreme Court	No hearings today	No opinions released today
Court of Appeals	Scott v. Robinson Nursing & Rehab	Click here (after 10:00 a.m.)

Time	Place	Event
10:30 a.m.	NLRHS	Hillary Clinton speaks in Arkansas
1:00 p.m.	DeWitt	Starting a Business in Arkansas
5:00 p.m.	Doe's, LR	Reception for House Dist. 43 candidate Jim Nickels

Time	Place	Event
9:00 a.m.	Fouke	Mike Ross Comunity Office Hours
10:00 a.m.	5930 Summerhill	Ribbon Cutting: Murray, Thomas & Griffin
11:30 a.m.	Bradley	Mike Ross Comunity Office Hours
2:00 p.m.	Stamps	Mike Ross Comunity Office Hours
5:30 p.m.	Arkansas High	AHS Young Democrats

Orlando Sentinel: McCain wins Florida GOP vote
New York Times: McCain Defeats Romney in Florida Vote
Wall Street Journal: McCain Scores Florida Win; Giuliani Is Set to Exit Race
Washington Post: McCain beats Romney in Florida
Los Angeles Times: Florida victory makes McCain solid frontrunner
Houston Chronicle: McCain, Clinton win Florida; Giuliani may drop out
Chicago Tribune: McCain wins, beating back Romney challenge
Reuters: McCain wins tight battle in Florida
Reuters: Fed looks set to cut rates more to avoid recession

North Texas Daily: Texas House session may approve NT law school
Lubbock Avalanche Journal: School financing no hot potato but warming
Knoxville News Sentinel: Vote delayed on allowing handguns in state meetings
Shreveport Times: Cyber research park ceremony signals step forward
New Orleans Times Picayune: Ethics boards make recommendations for session
Oklahoma Journal Record: Former speaker Cargill unveils 100 Ideas book
Jackson Clarion-Ledger: Advocates praise drug courts
Joplin Glove Editorial: Education's dirty secret

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Clinton to pop in on Arkansas for NLR event
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Funds not meant for use statewide, senator argues
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Fire destroys 60 Army buildings
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Districts hope 2nd tax vote succeeds
Ark. News Bureau: Group wants severance tax to fund college scholarships
Ark. News Bureau: Supporters want to resurrect Big Mac II plan for Cap. grounds
Ark. News Bureau: Cities with pit bull bans monitoring federal lawsuit
Ark. News Bureau: Broyles' economic role praised at luncheon
Ark. News Bureau: Ron Paul ad airing on Arkansas TV stations
Associated Press: Ark. election officials: Steady early voting turnout
Associated Press: Ark. judge says state's no-bid building contracts are legal

Texarkana Gazette: Plan to split ammo plant displeases local officials
Texarkana Gazette: Principals present plans to address audit results
Jonesboro Sun: School shooter convicted on gun charge
NWA Morning News: Downtown Bentonville Hears County Needs
Northwest Ark. Times: County committee looks at alternative sources of energy
Benton County Daily Record: After dip, Rogers has revenue increase
El Dorado News-Times: Smackover man to run for seat in Legislature
Pine Bluff Commercial: Redus gives State of the City address
Searcy Daily Citizen: Reeves to seek District 50 seat
Harrison Daily Times: Concealed carry on campus eyed

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Wild Bill Clinton
Paul Greenberg: 50 ways to beat the cold
Gene Lyons: Campaign has one too many Clintons
Meredith Oakley: Best to tip in cash
Brenda Blagg: Good Gone Awry
David Sanders: Counting on Bill Clinton
Vic Harville cartoon

Intervenors appeal PSC ruling

The Intervenors made it official today by filing a Notice of Appeal with the Arkansas Court of Appeals regarding the Public Service Commission's ruling to grant SWEPCO a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for construction of a 600MW power plant in Hempstead County. Here's the 36 page pleading.

Senate to amend stimulus package

At 2:30 p.m. tomorrow, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance will take up and alter the "Economic Stimulus Act of 2008," the Senate version of the economic stimulus package. West Virginia Senator Jay Rockefeller will offer an amendment that would provide $15 billion for state fiscal assistance, split evenly between Medicaid and discretionary grants. Here's his news release.

On today's Florida ballot -- Update

When Florida voters go to the polls today, they'll also vote on a measure designed to slash property taxes by $12.4 billion and boost the state’s slumping real estate market. Donald Trump, a Palm Beach County homeowner who pays $1 million annually in property tax there, is helping Governor Charlie Crist with the amendment. Here's the proposed question:

Property tax exemptions; limitations on property tax assessments
This revision proposes changes to the State Constitution relating to property taxation. With respect to homestead property, this revision: (1) increases the homestead exemption except for school district taxes and (2) allows homestead property owners to transfer up to $500,000 of their Save-Our-Homes benefits to their next homestead. With respect to nonhomestead property, this revision (3) provides a $25,000 exemption for tangible personal property and (4) limits assessment increases for specified nonhomestead real property except for school district taxes. Yes or no

Update (Wednesday): Passes. Here's the Orlando Sentinel article.

Tuesday in Arkansas

Time	Committee	Place	Agenda
9:00 a.m.	Agriculture, Forestry & Econ. Dev.	West Memphis	Click here
1:00 p.m.	Traumatic Brain Injury Task Force	Rm. 130	Click here

Time	Event	Place
11:30 a.m.	Fayetteville Economic Development Council Luncheon	Broyles Complex

Time	Place	Event
10:00 a.m.	LR Chamber	AEDC Targeted Industries presentation
1:00 p.m.	UALR	SBA Loan Program
6:00 p.m.	Clinton School	Ambassadors’ Dialogue: The U.S. and Korea

Governor: No special session unless consensus is there

The governor made it clear today that he won't call a special session to consider raising the state's severance tax on natural gas unless he gets a commitment from the majority of legislators required. That means that not only is it necessary to persuade 3/4 of each chamber, the committees in both the Senate and the House must have the necessary support. Otherwise, it doesn't really matter whether there is overwhelming support for the measure. Here's the Associated Press article.

Governor appoints 17

Here's the news release.

Response to a challenge

The Arkansas Legislature has recently been challenged by the Arkansas Supreme Court (and subsequently by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette) to craft a law to fix a permanent solution to advances in reproductive technology related to intestacy (dying without a valid will). I don't think it's as controversial as advertised. The Arkansas Supreme Court recently ruled as follows:

It is clear from the statute that in order to inherit through intestate succession as a posthumous descendant, the child must have been conceived before the decedent’s death. However, the statutory scheme fails to define the term “conceived.”

[W]e strongly encourage the General Assembly to revisit the intestacy succession statutes to address the issues involved in the instant case and those that have not but will likely evolve.

The Commissioners on Uniform State Laws have drafted a comprehensive 66-page bill and recommend its passage. Here's the text of the proposed legislation (begin with Article 7). As you can see, several sections of this bill aren't necessary to update the current Arkansas law. This bill has been introduced in Nevada and Alabama.

Of course, the underlying case deals with social security benefits, and although it's probably not a popular decision, the Arkansas Supreme Court made the right decision and passed it on (as they should have). It was passed to them by a federal court. As an editorial aside, I think the link shows that the statute can be addressed without having people marching in the streets regarding the definition of the term "conceived." After all, this section shouldn't be all that controversial:

SECTION 707. PARENTAL STATUS OF DECEASED INDIVIDUAL. If an individual who consented in a record to be a parent by assisted reproduction dies before placement of eggs, sperm, or embryos, the deceased individual is not a parent of the resulting child unless the deceased spouse consented in a record that if assisted reproduction were to occur after death, the deceased individual would be a parent of the child.

Federal funding for Arkansas Drug Task Forces

I just received an "action alert" from the National Conference of State Legislatures Office of State-Federal Relations regarding cuts to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. This program is the largest justice assistance grant to states and is used in part here in Arkansas for funding many law enforcement programs, including our drug task forces. I was pleased to see that a Google search turned up a media release from John Boozman urging, in a bipartisan way, to preserve this funding. In the Consolidated Appropriations Act (PL-110-161), funding was cut from $520 million in FY07 to $170 million in FY08 (67%). If it's to be restored, it'll come through an emergency supplemental spending bill due to emerge in the coming weeks.

Democratic National Convention notes

The Democratic Party of Arkansas (DPA) is seeking applicants to be national delegates and alternates to the Democratic National Convention. Applicants for delegate and alternate to the Democratic National Convention must file with the DPA between February 6 and 22. The elections will be held at the Congressional District Caucuses and Special State Convention on Saturday, March 8, in Little Rock. Click here for the application. The Democratic National Convention will be held August 25-28, 2008 in Denver, Colo. Arkansas has a total of 47 delegates and six alternates.

Undercard to the State of the Union

If you're a serious junkie and are looking for something to watch before the president's address tonight, Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen will give his State of the State address at 6:00 p.m. locally this evening. You can watch it online here.

Tennessee tax revenues have plummeted while surplus lottery dollars have come in well ahead of forecast, and the governor will try and reconcile this conflicting situation this evening. So far, the Volunteer State has a $182 million shortfall this fiscal year, and the governor will present his administration’s proposed budget for the upcoming year. The Tennessee Legislature is currently in session.

Letters to the "editor"

I've received some feedback from the two most recent newsletters I've sent regarding the severance tax. Just thought others across the state would be interested in knowing what some are saying:

• [I can agree] on a natural gas tax increase, if it is used to offset other areas (especially food tax) for people who can not afford the increases. However, on the other hand if it is just going to be another "tax, upon tax" plan, I wouldn't personally support it. My gas bill this month was just a little over $219.00. I know there are people who have trouble with gas bills already and I run our house at 69 degrees during the time we are here and 62 degrees when we are all gone. I've spoken to a few other people who have had problems paying Center Point bills in the area also (many are on the Texas side though).

• so long as it doesn't go overboard. I don't think the gas bills on the Texas-side are any higher than ours, and they have a huge tax on the extraction of natural gas.

• From what I read, the companies are getting a say in any increase. That means that they'll agree to just enough to keep Nelson from taking this thing to the people. Is the Legislature going to rubber stamp this agreement?

State of the Union

The Washington Post suggests that the president is getting little credit for improved security in Iraq, as the public has focused recently on the economy. Both will dominate tonight's address (8:00 p.m. locally). The response will be given by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius.

Monday in Arkansas

Time	Committee	Place	Agenda
1:30 p.m.	Agriculture, Forestry & Econ. Dev.	West Memphis	Click here

Time	Event	Place
10:00 a.m.	Governor distributes 2008 Community Health Grants	Capitol
7:00 p.m.	Nashville Chamber of Commerce Banquet	Nashville Elem.

Time	Place	Event
6:00 p.m.	Clinton School	Are We Rome? Cullen Murphy, Vanity Fair editor

New York Times: Races Entering Complex Phase Over Delegates
Wall Street Journal: Global Markets Retreat
Washington Post: Economy, War To Dominate State of Union
Los Angeles Times: McCain, Romney play up their strengths in Florida
Houston Chronicle: Economic slowdown could alter Bush legacy
Chicago Tribune: Kennedys embrace Obama
AP via Florida Times Union: Clinton brings campaign to Florida
Reuters: Stocks battered

Jackson Clarion-Ledger: Barbour budget: Legislature faces prioritizing
Houston Chronicle: Perry's Trans-Texas Corridor plan is a tough sell
Nashville City Paper: State of the State finds lotto funds up, revenues down
Nashville Tennessean: Voters should decide other offices, as well
Baton Rouge Advocate: Political horizons
KJRH-TV Tulsa: Okla. budget battle being watched by teachers, others
KYTV Springfield, MO: Blunt's decision not to run again stunned campaign staff

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Chelsea Clinton stumps at ASU for her mom
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Reservists critical to medical network
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Subdivisions go green in central Arkansas
Ark. News Bureau: Arkansas ballot grows green
Stephens DC Bureau: Washington Digest: Senate works on surveillance rules
Associated Press: Hillary Clinton to visit Arkansas this week
Associated Press: Renovation of Arkansas Gazette's building reveals history
Associated Press: US Attorney: Illegal immigrants provide "modern slave labor"

Texarkana Gazette: City receives volunteer award
NWA Morning News: State's Senators Not Strictly Party Line
Northwest Ark. Times: Prevalence of 08 elections mean plenty of trips to vote
Northwest Ark. Times: Some states rethink reliability of electronic voting
Jonesboro Sun: Craighead Democrats talk politics
Jonesboro Sun: Sales tax funds rise
Log Cabin Democrat: Gov. Beebe hits high points at Greenbrier banquet
El Dorado News Times: Judge Guthrie to seek another term
Searcy Daily Citizen: Area schools comparison
Batesville Daily Guard: Judge Taylor seeks re-election
Baxter Bulletin: Others look to tap water from Bull Shoals Lake
Harrison Daily Times: Boy found on Sulfur Mountain after all-night search
Forrest City Times Herald: Large crowd attends forum on education
Russellville Courier: What happens when the water runs dry?
Heber Springs Sun-Times: Cleburne County ready to celebrate 125th birthday

John Brummett: Bill's personal contest with Barack
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Closed to the Public
Texarkana Gazette: State of the Union
Pat Lynch: Who is fit to lead?
Andrew DeMillo: Special session could open door for marriage age
Vic Harville cartoon

Under the Dome TV: Special session?

Here's your two-minute update on the upcoming week. Legislative meetings of note include two Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee meetings in West Memphis on Monday and Tuesday. There will also be a couple of task forces and subcommittees that meet on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Retirement banquet for Pastor Milton Glass

I'm back home after spending the evening with Pastor Milton Glass and a hundred or so of his closest friends as we celebrated his retirement from Halls United Methodist Church. He's been a great leader in and around Texarkana, running the local chapter of the NAACP and spending numerous hours volunteering, mentoring, and even tutoring students after school.

Looks like Obama by 29 in South Carolina.

Patty Smith receives C.E. Palmer award

The C.E. Palmer Award is Texarkana's most prestigious honor for community service and is given annually at the Chamber banquet. This year's recipient is Patty Fulbright Smith, the Administrative Director of Opportunities, Inc. I've had the opportunity to sit on the Board there for the past three years, and I can tell you that there is no one more deserving of this award. Here are a couple of pictures from last night's banquet:

Smith and Texarkana Chamber President Jeff Sandford
Former Arkansas Mayor Danny Gray, Smith, former Texas Mayor and 2007 Chamber Chairman John Jarvis, and Chamber Economic Development Director Jerry Sparks present the award

Governor's weekly radio address

Finding Help for Rising Energy Costs: LIHEAP. Click play on the console below:

Interview with SC Rep. Bakari Sellers -- Update

Here's an interview with South Carolina State Rep. Bakari Sellers about tomorrow's Democratic primary there. Bakari and I are in the inaugural DLC fellows class together. A little about him: he's 23 (21 when elected) and not only is he already a state representative, he's also served on the Morehouse College Board of Trustees. He garnered 55% of the vote in his 2006 bid to unseat 82 year-old incumbent Thomas Rhoad, who had been in the House for 26 years. He was told it couldn't be done, but Bakari has said that the election was simply a referendum on change. Tom Brokaw has suggested that he'll be governor of South Carolina one day. This guy's inspiring, and you'll enjoy this interview. He's picking Obama by 10.



Update: Just watched Bakari on Morning Joe this morning on MSNBC. Joe and Mika ended up talking more about him and his political career than the SC primary.

Rep. Cornwell (D-Benton) draws Nix as primary opponent

Benton Education Association President Barbara Nix (D-Benton) has announced her intentions to run against Rep. Lamont Cornwell (D-Benton). Cornwell is the owner of Cornwell Enterprises L.L.C. and is serving his first term in the Arkansas House. Prior to serving in the House, Cornwell served on the Benton School Board. He serves on House Judiciary and City, County and Local Affairs Committees and is a non-voting member of the Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee.

Nix has taught in the Benton School District for 37 years and was named Teacher of the Year for the 2005-06 school term. She said education will be a chief priority if she is elected. She also serves on the Benton Athletic Memorial Museum Board of Directors. Here's the Benton Courier article.

The primary election is Tuesday, May 13. District 28 includes the cities of Benton, Haskell and Traskwood and Newcomb and Fairplay townships. Here's the district map:

Stimulus deal highlights bipartisan efforts

This Washington Post article reminds readers that yesterday's agreement on a stimulus package marks the first major bipartisan action since Democrats took over Congress a year ago. Some, even a few who didn't agree on the one-time rebates, are hoping for more of the same. We'll see if the deal will hold together on the other end of the Capitol.

Slovak Oyster Supper

The annual oyster supper will take place tonight in Prairie County. Our chamber banquet is tonight, so I'm unable to go. Here's the only picture I can find (from 2006).

McDaniel, Reep, Maloch, Beebe, Berry

Friday in Arkansas

Time	Event	Place
12:00 p.m.	ASU – Newport Trans. Tech. Center groundbreaking	Newport
4:30 p.m.	Slovak Oyster Supper	Slovak

Time	Place	Event
8:00 a.m.	Memphis, TN	Arkansas Bar Association 2008 Mid-Year Meeting
11:30 a.m.	Governor's Mansion	Political Animals Club: Charlie Cook
1:00 p.m.	UALR	Starting a business in Arkansas
2:00 p.m.	Pine Bluff	Town hall meeting with Mike Ross
5:00 p.m.	Wynne	Ark. Delta Byways 8th Annual Awards Banquet
5:00 p.m.	Slovak	Annual Oyster Supper

Time	Place	Event
8:30 a.m.	Texas A&M-Txk	Texas A&M GO Mobile Unit
6:00p.m.	TASD	Special School Board meeting

Legislators: Clear your early March calendar

Nothing official, but the governor said today if a consensus can be built, early March may be a potential time to hold a special session on the severance tax . I just hope it's not March 3 -- I'm to appear before the United States Supreme Court that day. Here's the Associated Press article.

Obama pushed wrong button on six votes -- Update

Sen. Obama has already been criticized for casting a "present" vote on over a hundred bills. I don't think I've ever cast a present vote -- practically, it counts as a no since it doesn't help the sponsor get the required number of votes for passage. If you think a bill is unconstitutional, I think you have to vote against it if you want to be true to the oath you took to uphold the Constitution.

Here's a good read from today's Los Angeles Times about Obama's assertion that he simply pushed the wrong button in a half-dozen votes in the Illinois Senate, two of them on hotly contested bills. I don't know how they do it in Springfield, but in Little Rock, there's adequate time to correct a mistake by changing a vote before the clerk casts up the ballot. Plus, like Illinois, we have a procedure to place an entry with the clerk (but not in the House Journal -- Rule 6) to explain a flub like this, even though you can't change your vote. True errors or attempts to appease both sides of a difficult issue?

Update (Friday): Illinois lawmakers are coming to Obama's defense regarding the present votes, some explaining that such a vote is just "good politics." I can agree with that and know others in Arkansas who feel the same way. Interesting to read that only a handful of states allow legislators to vote "present." In Hawaii, you can vote "kanalua" (doubt).

Thursday in Arkansas

Time	Event	Place
10:00 a.m.	Energy assistance for low-income Arkansans	North Little Rock
11:30 a.m.	8th Annual Bishops' Luncheon	Pul Heights UMC
7:00 p.m.	North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce Banquet	Alltel Arena

Court	Oral Arguments	Today's Opinions
Supreme Court	McQuary v. Hill	Click here (after 10:00 a.m.)
Ct of Appeals	No hearings today	No opinions released today

Time	Place	Event
8:00 a.m.	Memphis, TN	Arkansas Bar Association 2008 Mid-Year Meeting
1:30 p.m.	Union Station, LR	Arkansas Children's Health Insurance Summit
5:00 p.m.	Trapnall Hall, LR	Reception for Dr. Jim Purcell, new Director of ADHE
5:30 p.m.	Sheridan	Grant County Ladies Night Out

Time	Place	Event
8:00 a.m.	Txk Airport	Texarkana Regional Airport Authority Board meeting
8:30 a.m.	Txk College	Connecting with Education Culture & the Economy
5:30 p.m.	Texarkana	Win Rock Cancer Institute presentation
6:30 p.m.	Ashdown	Little River Chamber Annual Awards Banquet

New York Times: Rivals Barely Conceal Dislike for Romney
Wall Street Journal: How Low Should the Fed Go?
Washington Post: Some in Party Bristle At Clintons' Attacks
Los Angeles Times: Clinton still leads solidly with nation's Democrats
Houston Chronicle: Texas prison system under fire after injured inmate's death
Chicago Tribune: Gasbags: Pols and their cars
Reuters: Obama dips, but still has South Carolina lead: poll

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Gas tax rise gains Capitol support
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Paul wins Benton County poll
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: In Arkansas, dropouts keep ballot spots
Ark. News Bureau: Gearhart chosen as UA chancellor
Ark. News Bureau: Acxiom announces third-quarter earnings
Stephens DC Bureau: Evangelicals growing tentative on Huckabee
Associated Press: Defense Department says Conway, Ark., man killed in Iraq
Associated Press: Sen. Crumbly seeks dismissal in election lawsuit
AP: Wal-Mart plans to take leadership role in energy, trade, health costs
Associated Press: Magazine picks Ark. Children's Hosp as a best place to work

Governor holding news conference on energy assistance

Governor Beebe, along with community advocates, energy officials and working Arkansans, will appear at a news conference Thursday morning to discuss upcoming efforts to increase federal assistance to low-income Arkansans for energy costs.

When: Thursday, January 24, 10:00 a.m.
Where: North Little Rock Workforce Center (3901 McCain Park Dr., Ste. 102)

Other participants include Hugh McDonald, president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas, Public Service Commission Chair Colette Honorable and Rose Adams, executive director of the Arkansas Community Action Agencies Associaion.

Setting the curve

If you're into benchmark exam scores, Hope's Yerger Middle School has made impressive gains in the last two years. Here's an example of proficiency gains made in 7th grade math there:



Credit is given to a full-time focus teacher and the “Extra Push” program, which targets students needing additional instruction or enrichment for afternoon and Saturday classes. Here's more from The Learning Institute.

Generation gap or inappropriate?

It's a slow day, so here's some entertainment. You make the call on this one after listening to this message left on a high school student's phone by the wife of a school administrator in Fairfax, Virginia (click here -- video is on the right). Apparently, the student had called the administrator's house asking why school hadn't yet been closed because of snow. He claims that, as part of the cell phone generation, people are used to being reached at all times. This video has been viewed over 20,000 times, it's been published in the Washington Post, and the student was even interviewed by Good Morning America.

Of course, it's a little hard to judge since we have no idea what the student said, but here's my take: as a person holding a position of public trust, you have the option of having your number listed. If you don't want phone calls from the public, don't list your number, because you will get frequent phone calls -- some legitimate, some just wanting to vent. Mine's listed, and thankfully, Lori would just laugh this off rather than responding in-kind. In the YouTube era, it's probably a pretty good rule not to return work-related messages left for the other spouse on your machine. heh heh

Jacksonport State Park looking for funds for new facilities

Today's Newport Independent reports that Jacksonport State Park Superintendent Mark Ballard is seeking funds for the construction of a new "collection management" facility to house collections of artifacts when they are not on display and to aid in their preservation and care with humidity and lighting controls. Ballard also wants a new visitor center. He's hopeful that the funds for the collection management facility will become available through the real estate transfer tax and the funds for the visitor center from the 1/8 ¢ conservation tax (Amendment 75). Any proposed allocation must come through us in 2009. They, of course, won't be alone.

Mesa Airlines to drop passenger service to Arkansas cities

Mesa Air Group Inc. intends to drop air service to four Arkansas cities: El Dorado, Harrison, Hot Springs and Jonesboro. The carrier says it will continue to provide service until regulators designate a new carrier. Here's the Associated Press article, and here's their current route map, which includes not only Mesa Air (green routes) but Air Midwest, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mesa Air Group (US Airways, United, and Delta Connection):