Governor: Trauma system still a priority

On Wednesday, the Hospital and Medicaid Study Subcommittee of Legislative Council discussed the importance of a statewide trauma system (here are articles from the meeting: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Memphis Commercial Appeal). In 2007, the Arkansas House and Senate both passed bills to establish such a system, but a conference committee wasn't able to come to terms on an agreed funding scheme.

Yesterday, Governor Beebe told a crowd in Fort Smith that establishing a statewide trauma should be one of the state's highest priorities. It won't be on the call for the still-possible March special session, but it will be a priority in the 2009 regular session, he said. Here's more from the Arkansas News Bureau.

Ross, Berry & Clark to stump here for Clinton Saturday

Ret. Gen. Wes Clark, Congressman Mike Ross and Congressman Marion Berry will headline a campaign rally for Hillary Clinton in Texarkana Saturday night. The group will speak at the Clinton HQ at 7:00 p.m. directly across from my office. They will be accompanied by military veterans Rick Bolanos, David Stone and Zach Iscol, an Iraq War veteran and close friend of Clinton’s daughter, Chelsea. Here's more from the Texarkana Gazette.

Mike Huckabee swung through Texarkana ahead of the Tuesday Texas primary yesterday. His rally at the Southwest Center was tabbed as his final campaign stop.

TASD superintendent resigns

Texarkana Arkansas School District Superintendent Paul Dee Human resigned last night after a specially-called school board meeting and closed session. Here's the Texarkana Gazette article.

Friday in Arkansas

Time	Committee	Room	Agenda
1:00 p.m.	Task Force on Autism	151	Click here

Time	Place	Event
10:00 a.m.	UACCH	Ark. Ethics Commission Candidate Training Session
12:00 p.m.	Forrest City	Lt Gov Bill Halter community forum on higher ed

Baton Rouge bound

I'm in depositions tomorrow in Baton Rouge, and I'll be making the trek south this afternoon. I'm going to try and get there by 7:00 to watch the Lady 'Backs take on #6 LSU tonight at the Maravich Center.

Update: The rout was on from the tip-off. Here's some first half action when the Lady Tigers were up 30-7:

What the governors think of the '08 pres. primary calendar

Stateline.org surveys 17 governors on their thoughts as to this year's primary calendar. Click the box below for audio:

Thursday in Arkansas

Time	Committee	Room	Agenda
10:00 a.m.	Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention	130	Click here
10:00 a.m.	Governor's Commission on Global Warming	171	Click here

Time	Event	Place
11:30 a.m.	New Emergency Facility Dedication Luncheon	Sparks, FS
2:00 p.m.	Announcement regarding the U.S. Marshals Museum	Fort Smith

Court	Oral Arguments	Today's Opinions
Supreme Court	Viravonga v. Samakitham et al	Click here (after 11:00 a.m.)
Ct of Appeals	No hearings today	No opinions released today

Time	Place	Event
10:00 a.m.	Lake Ouachita	Eagle Watch Tour
12:00 p.m.	Clinton School	Alan Finder, New York Times education editor
2:00 p.m.	Pinnacle Mtn.	East Quarry Exploration Hike
6:00 p.m.	Forrest City	FC Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet
7:00 p.m.	ASU	Henry Louis Gates -- Cultural Critic

Time	Place	Event
12:00 p.m.	Texas A&M - Texarkana	Black history program
4:30 p.m.	1825 N. Robison Rd.	Ribbon cutting: Harte Hanks

New York Times: Twists in Chain of Supplies for Blood Drug
Wall Street Journal: Paulson Rejects Rescue Plan
Los Angeles Times: Race changes the usual rules of engagement
Houston Chronicle: Democrats courting Texas now, but don't expect marriage
Chicago Tribune: 'Everything on the table' for Wrigley
Reuters: U.S. calls for quick end to Turkish Iraq operation
Reuters: Bloomberg says will not run for president

Legislative announcements

Legislative announcements this week:

Jerry Lee Bogard (D-Stuttgart)
Rep. Larry Cowling (D-Foreman)
Rep. Frank Glidewell (R-Ft. Smith)
Lance Lemmonds (R-Searcy)
Rep. Bubba Powers (D-Hope)
Rep. Lindsley Smith (D-Fayetteville)

In House District 95, candidate Duncan Baird (R-Lowell) has received the endorsement of three legislators, including current HD95 Rep. Aaron Burkes (R-Lowell). Reps. Dan Greenberg (R-Little Rock) and Jon Woods (R-Springdale) are also lending their support to Baird. Baird faces two primary opponents: Johnny Dillard and Linda Bisbee, wife of outgoing senator and candidate for Benton County Judge Dave Bisbee. Here's more from ArkJournal.

I'm on my way to LR for a meeting and to tape a show, so I'll likely be away from the blog until late this afternoon.

More presidential campaign stops here

Former Mississippi Gov. Ray Mabus will campaign for Sen. Obama in Texarkana today. Mabus will be at the Obama campaign office, 323 W. 7th St., on the Texas-side at 11:15 a.m. Mabus served as Mississippi’s governor from 1988 to 1992.

Mike Huckabee will return to Texarkana to campaign at noon Thursday at the Southwest Center on the Texas-side. This will be his second campaign stop here in Texarkana this month.

Wednesday in Arkansas

Time	Committee	Room	Agenda
9:00 a.m.	Hospital and Medicaid Study Subcommittee	West Memphis	Click here
10:00 a.m.	Task Force on Substance Abuse Treatment	130	Click here
1:30 p.m.	ALC-Claims Review	272	Click here

Time	Event	Place
12:15 p.m.	Arkansas State HIPPY Annual Conference	Peabody, LR

Court	Oral Arguments	Today's Opinions
Supreme Court	No hearings today	No opinions released today
Court of Appeals	No hearings today	Click here (after 11:00 a.m.)

Time	Place	Event
10:00 a.m.	Webinar	How Broadband Enhances Public Safety
11:30 a.m.	Gov's Mansion	Skip Rutherford to speak at Political Animals Club
All Day	Parkin	Black History Month School Days

Henderson State selects Chuck Welch as its president

Congratulations are in order for Chuck Welch, now the former chancellor of the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope. He was named yesterday as Henderson State University’s next president. Before he's finished, he'll be president of the UofA system. Here he is visiting with Lori and the governor in November.

This ought to tell you something

Louisiana Revised Statute §102.23. Cockfighting

Until August 15, 2008, It shall be lawful to organize and conduct any commercial or private cockfight wherein there is a display of combat or fighting among one or more domestic or feral chickens and in which it is intended or reasonably foreseeable that the chickens would be injured, maimed, mutilated, or killed.

Louisiana Revised Statute §4:81.1. Tough-man contest; prohibition

No person shall conduct, promote, or in any manner participate in any tough-man contest or exhibition. The penalty includes imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for up to one year.

Tuesday in Arkansas

Time	Committee	Place	Agenda
1:30 p.m.	ALC-Hospital and Medicaid Subcommittee	W. Memphis	Click here
2:00 p.m.	Task Force on Athletic Trainers	Rm. 138	Click here

Time	Event	Place
5:30 p.m.	Addresses the Innovate Arkansas Launch Party	Trapnall Hall

Time	Place	Event
11:30 a.m.	Little Rock Club	Arkansas Committee on Foreign Relations
12:00 p.m.	Clinton School	Bill Strickland, "Making the Impossible Possible"
5:00 p.m.	Trapnall Hall	AEDC launch of Innovate Arkansas
5:30 p.m.	Little Rock	Reception for Speaker-Designate Robbie Wills

New York Times: Obama’s Support Grows Broader, New Poll Finds
New York Times: Pieces of Texas Turn Primary Into a Puzzle
Wall Street Journal: Foreign Funds Face Scrutiny
Washington Post: Democratic Governors See McCain As Formidable
Los Angeles Times: Clinton and Obama walk different paths in Senate
Houston Chronicle: GOP has a primary concern
Chicago Tribune: Tempest over a turban
Reuters: Study doubts effectiveness of antidepressant drugs

Congressional debate tonight

Tune in to NextGenWeb tonight for the online broadcast of "Congress Debates," the first in a series of debates between bipartisan groups of members of Congress being held today on the campus of George Washington University. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. Arkansas time. You can also listen to the debates on C-SPAN satellite radio.

Governors' association discusses toll roads

The nation's governors have wrapped up their winter meeting in Washington, DC. Highlights of the meeting include a discussion on toll roads. U.S. Transportation Sec. Mary Peters said private dollars are needed to meet highway needs, not just public funds that are subject to regular fights in Congress.

The nation's current highway funding law expires in September 2009. Peters suggested replacing the current funding plan with a $400 billion network of privately funded toll roads and bridges — saying many investors are willing to step in.

Governor Beebe responded that rural states don't generate enough traffic to justify private investment in toll roads, and he asked Peters why the federal government was building roads overseas instead of making more funds available at home. "Does the administration have any plans to increase the size of the pie?" Beebe asked. Here's more from The Trucker and the Democrat-Gazette (subscription req'd.).

Today at the Clinton School

Not much on tap today in state government. The governor will be returning from the NGA winter meeting, and there are no legislative meetings at the Capitol. Here locally, the Texarkana Arkansas Education Foundation will hold an appreciation luncheon at the Cattleman's at noon.

Goldman Sachs Foundation President Stephanie Bell-Rose will discuss the most important trends in philanthropy today at the Clinton School (Sturgis Hall at noon). A Harvard alum, Bell-Rose will focus on how young people are changing the global giving landscape. The Goldman Sachs Foundation was funded in 1999 with a $200 million donation from The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

Prior to her appointment at Goldman Sachs, Ms. Bell-Rose served as Counsel and Program Officer for Public Affairs at The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation where she directed legal affairs and designed philanthropic initiatives in education and public policy in the US and abroad.

Why the Toughman should go (and others can stay)

When first-time boxing amateur BobbyTroy DePue entered the Toughman ring, he didn't know his first opponent was a three-time Louisiana Golden Glove winner who had 56 amateur fights under his belt. Unfortunately, he'd never find out. You see, that fighter, Terry Vermaelen, had discovered in previous Toughman competitions that referees allowed fighters to use a variety of techniques that would be illegal in sanctioned boxing. One was holding the back of an opponent's head with one hand while hitting him with the other.

By the second round, Vermaelen was punching at will, holding the back of DePue's head with his right hand and pummeling him with his left. DePue finally turned to the referee and said, "I've had enough." The referee stopped the match, and DePue walked a few feet before collapsing. He died later that night.

A similar scenario occurred here in Texarkana earlier this month and has one family grieving for their son. 23 year-old Brandon Twitchell died after life support was removed four days after he participated in the Texarkana Toughman on February 8 and 9.

When Sen. John McCain filed legislation in 1997 in an attempt to ban the Toughman competition nationwide, he called the contest a form of "human cockfighting." That's one reason that other reputable amateur boxing organizations detest the Toughman. Amateur boxing is governed by Colorado Springs-based USA Boxing, an organization that has banned Toughman participants from its sanctioned amateur bouts.

Weight Classifications

One reason that makes the Toughman so much more dangerous than conventional amateur boxing is the uneven matchups. Sanctioned amateur and professional boxing organizations separate contestants by weight classifications that rarely vary by more than 10 pounds. On ther other hand, Toughman competitors can be outweighed by 100 pounds or more.

Weight disparities increase the odds of a knockout, and that is what fans pay to see. This one glaring example shows why the Toughman's profits are more important to them than the contestants themselves and is the main reason given by the Texas Legislature when they outlawed Toughman in 2005.

Elimination Contests

Perhaps the most dangerous part of the Toughman is the requirement that contestants who win must continue to fight other opponents in the same day. If a contestant continues to win, they also come back the next day to fight. Most professional boxers will tell you that this is the easiest way to get hurt and that amateurs can't possibly know the dangers associated with multiple fights in one day.

Twitchell's father told the Texarkana Gazette that his son "just thought it was going to be a night of recreation...with all of the super-sized head gear and gloves, he was sure he could not really be harmed.” Professional boxers are taught to protect their head, an objective that can be physically difficult in itself after a few rounds. Once a fighter becomes exhausted (especially those with little to no training), blows to his or her head are more easily accomplished, and that is what leads to the most common cause of death among Toughman fighters: multiple concussions and hemorrhaging of the brain. There are numerous others living in America today with brain injuries caused by these contests. For those that don't have insurance, you and I are footing the bill for their medical treatment.

No oversight in Arkansas

In 2001, the Arkansas Legislature exempted the Toughman from oversight of the Arkansas Athletic Commission by enacting SB369. Now, regardless of what egregious violations take place at one of their events here, Ark. Code Ann. § 17-22-208 mandates that the person shall not be subject to a fine exceeding $1,000.

The Toughman is no stranger to legislation, and they'll willingly state on the record that they'll do anything they can to defeat legislation that regulates them. "It's the American way," Toughman leader Art Dore told the Wall Street Journal in 2003.

Skirting the law

24 states have now either banned the Toughman outright or severely restricted their contests. Here are some examples of how the Toughman has responded:

• Illinois: In 2003, the Toughman held a bout without informing the Illinois boxing commission. After the commission learned of the event, two investigators to were sent to the next venue. When they arrived, they learned that the fighters had been told they could kick their opponents. The occasional kick that night put the event outside the jurisdiction of the state's boxing commission, which doesn't regulate kick-boxing. The inspectors had no choice but to let the show go on.

• Florida: After a death at a Sarasota Toughman event, it was found that there was no physician ringside, even though at least one is required by Florida law. Mr. Dore told the Wall Street Journal said there was a physician's assistant on duty and that besides, a physician isn't necessary at a fight. "Really, an EMT is a hell of a lot better to have in case anybody gets hurt anyway," he said. "You know, doctors don't know what they're doing."

• Michigan: During a period of time when the Toughman was under a cease-and-desist order issued by the state of Michigan not to hold events there, Dore set up an event at an Indian casino in Michigan, complete with a national pay-per-view audience. "That's a sovereign nation," he said. 31 year-old Scott Wood was killed at that event.

No one likes telling people what they can and can't do. The balance between protecting personal liberties and protecting the health and safety of our citzenry is one of the most delicate we have. Still, there's a reason we outlaw other activities that include consenting adults like drag racing, prostitution, cooking meth and statutory rape.

There comes a time when someone has to step in and say "enough." Three of our neighboring states -- Texas, Tennessee, and Missouri -- have done it. The Toughman is coming to Little Rock this weekend. They'll be in Fort Smith in August. Dore is on record as saying that he'll go anywhere where he feels he can "make a buck." I hope it's the last time this company is able to come in and profit off of encouraging amateurs who are often out of shape and in poor medical condition to get in the ring and slug it out for some cheap entertainment. Let's work on enhancing and attracting other respectable amateur and professional sporting events to Arkansas.

Samuel L. Jackson to campaign here for Obama today

Update: Here are some pictures from the event:



Actor Samuel L. Jackson will appear on behalf of the Obama campaign here in Texarkana this afternoon. The event is scheduled to take place at the local Obama HQ (323 W. 7th on the Texas-side) at 12:45 p.m. He'll also be making stops in Tyler and Longview today to discuss change in the country and why he is supporting Sen. Obama.

Saturday pictures

Here are a few pictures from yesterday's events:

Speaking at the 22nd Annual Four States Cystic Fibrosis Coonhunt

2008 Rotary Foundation Dinner

2008 Heart Ball

Campaigning at early voting sites on the Texas-side

Sunday morning Ark-La-Tex roundup

Les Minor: There should be a law against it John Brummett: Welcome back, Asa John Brummett (national column): Obama shrugged Andrew DeMillo: Asa Hutchinson ends political exile, but for what? Paul Greenberg: Column One: Labels Roby Brock: Arkansas business update David Sanders: Just (borrowed) words Arkansas Democrat Gazette Editorial: Words, words, words NWA Morning News Editorial: Beebe Right To Stress Graduation Steve Barnes: Battle Could End Quietly Hoyt Purvis: The media roller-coaster Doug Thompson: School Shuffle Goes On Kane Webb: Spin me Meredith Oakley: FEMA gives itself a gift Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Dems hit the road for Hispanic votes Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Stats move little since Oklahoma begins alien law Vic Harville cartoon

Houston Chronicle: Clinton talks up jobs, health care at Houston event Dallas Morning News: Young Texans eager to vote, unclear on the process Ft. Worth Star Telegram: Obama aiming for a party awakening El Paso Times: 5,000 cheer ex-president at 4 stops El Paso Times: Juárez violence affects El Paso San Antonio Express News: John Kerry, Chelsea Clinton stump Austin American Statesman Column: TX House needs new Republican speaker Austin American Statesman: Big turnout could brighten future for Dems Waco Tribune Herald: TX Leg.: Anderson questions Sibley's work as lobbyist Denton Record Chronicle: TX Leg.: Senate race brings education to fore

Monroe News-Star: Legislators criticize focus on them Monroe News-Star: Pack a suitcase, do your job Livingston Parish News Column: 'Ethical' lunches less filling, taste great Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Lawmakers: Expand ethics reform New Orleans Times Picayune: Briefing book New Orleans Times Picayune: Gloves come off in local congressional race

Arkansas weekend

Time	Place	Event
9:00 a.m.	Conway	Meetup to continue tornado relief
9:45 a.m.	ASU-Beebe	National Trio Day of Service
10:00 a.m.	Little Rock	Brunch & fundraiser for U.S. Senator Mark Pryor
10:00 a.m.	Springdale	8th Annual Indian Artifact Show
10:00 a.m.	Hall of Industry	22nd Ann. Ark. Depression Era Glass/Pottery Show
1:00 p.m.	Oaklawn	Mountain Valley Stakes
6:00 p.m.	Rogers	6th annual Kiss A Pig Gala
7:00 p.m.	Clinton Center	A musical celebration of Black History Month
7:00 p.m.	Lyric, Harrison	Ozark Dance Theatre
8:00 p.m.	Springdale	41st Annual ACO Ball & Auction

Time	Place	Event
12:30 p.m.	Atlanta, TX	22nd Annual 4-States Cystic Fibrosis Coonhunt
6:00 p.m.	Northridge	Rotary Foundation Dinner
7:00 p.m.	Texarkana Country Club	American Heart Assoc. 2008 Heart Ball

New York Times: No Longer in Race, Richardson Is Pursued
Wall Street Journal: Clinton, Obama Split On Insurance Mandate
Washington Post: Arizona's Rep. Renzi Is Indicted In Land Deal
Washington Post: McCain Disputed On 1999 Meeting
Los Angeles Times: Higher fines for illegal hiring
Houston Chronicle: Democratic race attracts early voters in record numbers
Chicago Tribune: Tall order for McDonald's
Reuters: Clinton tries to energize trailing presidential bid

Governor's weekly radio address

Arkansas Aerospace. Click play on the console below:

Economy to dominate govs' meeting

Stateline.org has a preview of this weekend's NGA Winter Meeting in Washington, DC. Several states are facing budget shortfalls, and the issue is likely to dominate the meeting. Other topics to be discussed include energy, Real ID, Medicaid, the environment, national guards, and transportation.

Here's the National Governors Association website.

Friday in Arkansas

The governor is en route to DC this morning for the National Governors Association Winter Meeting. Lt. Governor Bill Halter will be acting governor through Monday.

Time	Place	Event
10:00 a.m.	UAM	AEDC Targeted Industries presentation
10:00 a.m.	Jonesboro	Ethics Commission Candidate Training Seminar
5:30 p.m.	Alltel Arena	Ark Sports Hall of Fame Banquet Dinner
6:00 p.m.	Clear Channel, LR	Midsouth Summit Black Expo

Austin American-Statesman: Collegial debate turns prickly
New York Times: Rescues for Homeowners in Debt Weighed
New York Times: Ask the Newsroom: The McCain Article
Wall Street Journal: Candidates Spar on Health Care
Washington Post: Obama-Clinton Debate Starts Warm, Heats Up
Washington Post: FEC Warns McCain on Campaign Spending
Washington Post: The Anti-Lobbyist, Advised by Lobbyists
Los Angeles Times: Sadr's order to militia: Extend truce 6 months
Houston Chronicle: Domestic issues dominate debate in Austin
Chicago Tribune: Drew Peterson's 3rd wife was slain, officials say
Reuters: Turkey launches land offensive into Iraq

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: State set to target payday lenders
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Aerospace industry set to add 5,000 state jobs
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Reports on abuse too slow, panel says
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Panel will decide on state-funds use
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: State funds on tap for child safety centers
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Soaring price of diesel sends pain far and wide
Ark. News Bureau: Gov't, business leaders discuss booming aerospace industry
Ark. News Bureau: Missile that shot down dead spy satellite completed in Camden
Ark. News Bureau: Economic development commission to air commercials on CNN
Ark. News Bureau: Study: Arkansas schools making progress, more work needed
Ark. News Bureau: Lawmakers reject new earthquake safety measures
Ark. News Bureau: FEMA mobile homes to be delivered soon, Beebe says
Stephens DC Bureau: Four Arkansas counties named high drug traffic areas
Associated Press: Arkansas House member wants amateur boxing ban after death
Associated Press: Beebe to spend weekend in DC for governors assoc. meeting
Associated Press: Court says customer can collect bonds from payday lenders
Associated Press: Game and fish commission considers 2008 hunting dates

Legislative announcements, honors

• Rep. Bubba Powers (D-Hope) announces on his blog today that he'll be making a formal announcement for his re-election bid soon. He knows of no opposition, but they'd have an uphill battle. In 2006, Powers won by a wider margin (78% - 22%) than any other legislative candidate in Arkansas.

• On Thursday, April 3, the Northwest Arkansas Community College Foundation will honor Rep. Horace Hardwick (R-Bentonville), who serves as a current member of the NWACC Foundation and is a past member of the NWACC Board of Trustees. He'll receive one of three Quality of Life Awards at the Fifth Annual NWACC Foundation Gala.

• Sen. Dave Bisbee's years of public service in the Arkansas Legislature will come to an end this year because of term limits. The Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce wished him well Thursday night and thanked him for his years of service by giving him the Dick Trammel Good Neighbor Award. Here's the article.

Supreme Court strikes down Maine law; Arkansas angle

A Wednesday ruling by the United States Supreme Court invalidated part of a Maine law regulating the transportation of tobacco with the aim of keeping it away from minors. The 1994 federal law in question that trumped the state law says that no state may enact a law "related to a price, route, or service of any motor carrier...with respect to the transportation of property." This was the subject of today's Texarkana Gazette editorial.

The ruling could affect not only states' rights to regulate tobacco shipments but also other products such as explosives, fireworks, and wild animals. One Arkansas statute in particular that could be affected if it placed tighter restrictions includes Ark. Code Ann. §20-22-708. However, that statute arguably deals only with the consumer and not the carrier. Another statute that could potentially be affected is §3-7-106, but probably not on the issue of shipments because of previous congressional action and court rulings.

In another ruling Wednesday, the high court held that if a medical device is approved by the federal government, consumers may not sue the manufacturer under state statutes. These interpretations of federal law are considered victories for manufacturers and American business as a whole, and I suspect some groups will be leaning on Congress to revisit both of these issues.

My opinion as to the ruling on the Maine law is that it is not only correct, it is only practical. I'm all for Congress enacting legislation to keep cigarettes out of the hands of minors, but a ruling in favor of Maine's law would place an unnecessary burden on delivery companies and other businesses to be knowledgeable of various restrictions in the 50 states. 40 states have a law on the books similar to Maine's, so this ruling has a wide reaching effect.

Thursday in Arkansas

Time	Committee	Room	Agenda
10:00 a.m.	Public Health, Welfare & Labor	130	Click here
10:00 a.m.	Task Force on Abused & Neglected Children	151	Click here
1:30 p.m.	Agriculture, Forestry & Econ. Dev.	171	Click here

Time	Event	Place
11:00 a.m.	Black History Month Celebration	Capitol Rotunda
2:00 p.m.	Governor addresses the Arkansas Aerospace Summit	UALR
6:00 p.m.	First Families Exhibit Reopening Event	Old State House

Court	Oral Arguments	Today's Opinions
Supreme Court	State v. Hatchie Hunting Club	Click here (after 11:00 a.m.)
Ct of Appeals	No hearings today	No opinions released today

Time	Place	Event
11:00 a.m.	Little Rock	Reception for House Candidate Vickie Critcher
11:30 a.m.	Little Rock	Rep. Mike Patterson re-election kickoff
12:00 p.m.	Clinton School	What is Ark Doing to Close the Achievement Gap?
5:00 p.m.	Loca Luna	Friend Raiser for Ct App candidate Rita Gruber
5:30 p.m.	Alltel Arena	Ark Sports Hall of Fame 50th Anniversary
6:00 p.m.	Old State House	The First Families of Ark Exhibit Reception
6:00 p.m.	Clinton School	Women for Pres.: Media Bias in Eight Campaigns
7:00 p.m.	Harrison	Paris Je t'aime at the Ozark Art Council

Time	Place	Event
4:30 a.m.	Harvest Texarkana	Chamber Business After Hours

New York Times: For McCain, Self-Confidence on Ethics Poses Its Own Risk
Wall Street Journal: Fears of Stagflation Return
Washington Post: Lobbyist Ties Irked McCain Aides
Los Angeles Times: Navy missile strikes failing U.S. satellite
Houston Chronicle: Rallying as key debate draws near
Chicago Tribune: Clinton's Hispanic vote frays in Texas
Reuters: NY Times reports on McCain link with lobbyist

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Overnight, gas prices rise 10¢
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Panel praises free-market education choices
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: FORT SMITH : Barrows resigns post as director
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: State water quality list due in ’06 out at last
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Investments in state retirement system take hit
Ark. News Bureau: Education needed on importance of broadband to rural areas
Associated Press: Up to 160 LR jobs cut in GMAC layoff
Associated Press: Ex-governor of Louisiana speaks in Arkansas
Associated Press: Testimony: More than 345K tons of waste in watershed
Associated Press: Rogers officer accused of using stun gun on cow
Associated Press: AEDC readies national marketing campaign
Associated Press: FEMA working through trailer requests

John Brummett: Odd name, odd debate
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: A new symbol
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: The snakes of Cuba
Texarkana Gazette: Easy Access
NWA Morning News: Huckabee's Road Show Still Playing
Benton County Daily Record: Trailers Trashed
Northwest Arkansas Times: Fitting punishment
Lucas Roebuck: Good Bush/Bad Bush
Jonesboro Sun: Government to give some money back
Pine Bluff Commercial: Looking forward, not to our past
Mike Masterson: Down to Atkins
Vic Harville cartoon

Texas debate watch party

The Hillary Clinton for President Campaign will host a party tomorrow (Thursday) to watch the Texas debate at its headquarters here in Texarkana directly across from my office on State Line. The debate begins at 7:00 p.m.

Prior to the debate, the campaign will hold training for Texas voters wanting to be Clinton delegates and to discuss the caucus process -- this will take place at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call the headquarters at (903) 792-8231.

200 lb. block of limestone falls from the Capitol

Andrew DeMillo reports that a 200 pound piece of limestone fell from the west side of the Arkansas Capitol recently, damaging a portion of the lower roof. This comes as the state begins a $1.2 million project to restore and repair the Capitol's west side. Secretary of State Charlie Daniels said the piece fell during the night of February 9.

House Minority Leader Johnny Key on the severance tax

Rep. Johnny Key (R-Mountain Home) wrote a column that was published in today's Hot Springs Village Voice on the severance tax, but to read it in its entirety, click to here to see it posted at ArkJournal.com

Beebe not only governor focusing on higher ed retention and graduation rates

Yesterday, Governor Beebe told reporters after speaking to a conference of college and university officials that he wants to hold them more accountable on performance. To that end, he's announced a plan to tie at least some state funds to retention and graduation rates in a new higher education funding formula. I suspect we'll begin seeing a specific proposal in the coming months as we prepare for the 87th General Assembly.

Arkansas is currently 49th in the number of degree-holding adults. If we're to claw out of the cellar in this ranking, we're going to have to do it in the face of some ambitious plans by other governors. For instance:

• Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) recently proposed a compact with that state’s 8th-graders: Stay out of trouble and get Bs in high school, and we’ll give you a college education. In addition, she's pledged to double the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded by her state’s colleges by 2020. She also proposed a fixed-tuition plan that would freeze tuition rates for all four years of a student’s college life.

• Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) also set a goal of doubling the number of college graduates. She wants to expand a pilot program that gives students an associate college degree after a five-year high school program and reward colleges that manage to graduate students, as opposed to just enrolling them.

• New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) is proposing a first-in-the-nation plan to lease the New York State Lottery to private investors as a way to fund a higher education endowment.

• Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland (D) said he wants to pay for students to spend their final year of high school on a college campus for free. He also wants to make Ohio one of the 10 least-expensive states to attend college.

In 2007, the Arkansas Legislature gave colleges and universities a 10% increase in general revenue funding -- funding went from $644 million to $709 million this fiscal year. An increase to $738 million is scheduled for next year.

As important as it is to climb in the rankings among adults with college degrees, it is encouraging to see all states trying to compete in a global economy by improving higher education and by investing in university research and development.

Candidate announcements in the news

• Sen. Jimmy Jeffress (D-Crossett) has announced that he will seek re-election for Senate District 24. That seat is made up of Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Drew, and part of Desha counties. Here's the Advance Monticellonian article.

• Next door, Sen. Gene Jeffress (D-Louann) will seek re-election for Senate District 25 this year. That seat includes the counties of Union, Calhoun, and part of Ouachita. Here's today's El Dorado News-Times article.

• On the House side, Rep. Jim House (D-Fayetteville) told the Senior Democrats of Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday that he wants to establish some fundraising momentum before making a formal announcement, but he will be seeking re-election to the Arkansas House. Here are today's articles: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,
Northwest Arkansas Times, and the Morning News of Northwest Arkansas

• Congressman Mike Ross has announced that he will make the trip to the Arkansas State Capitol on March 3 to file for re-election to serve a fifth term.

• U.S. Senator Mark Pryor has launched his new campaign website: www.pryor2008.com

Crime victim reparations

Dustin McDaniel announced today that the Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Board awarded $184,690.67 in reparations to 76 crime victims during January, 2008. The Board is made up of Dr. Jan Church of Little Rock, Colleen Nick of Alma, Redious Yancy of North Little Rock, and Attorney Cory Cox of Little Rock. A portion of reparations funding comes from fines imposed on the convicted criminals. Additionally, court costs and fees are a major revenue source for the program.

States face budget shortfalls in 2009

Twenty states face a combined budget shortfall of at least $35 billion for 2009, according to analysis by the Center on Budget Policy & Priorities. Another 8 states will likely have budget problems next year or the year after. Here's a graph:



The impulse by some state leaders is to slash state spending, but some experts warn that could be disastrous for the economy if multiple states lay off state workers and cut off help to those in need at the same time that private spending is falling. Because most of the states facing shortfalls are currently in session, it'll be interesting to see how they handle their budget crises individually.