Halter rescues woman from fire

Lt. Gov. Bill Halter helped a woman in a wheelchair off the porch of a burning home while traveling through Paragould today for a speaking engagement. Here's more from the Associated Press.

Miller County ballot

October, 2012 Update: This is old. Click here for a link to the 2012 ballot.

Thanks to Miller County Clerk Ann Nicholas for sending these Miller County ballots along for posting. Early voting begins on May 5.

Wednesday in Arkansas

Time	Committee	Room	Agenda
10:00 a.m.	Aging, Children & Youth	130	Click here

Time	Event	Place
12:00 p.m.	Nat'l Assn of Governor's Committees on People w/ Disabilities	Camp Aldersgate

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

Time	Place	Event
12:00 p.m.	Clinton School	Irene Kahn, Sec'y General of Amnesty International
12:00 p.m.	Paragould	Lt Gov Halter speaks to Paragould Rotary Club
5:30 p.m.	Capriccio's, LR	Reception Fundraiser honoring Courtney Henry
5:30 p.m.	LULAV, LR	NFIB Reception for Todd Stottlemyer & Sylvester Smith

Time	Place	Event
10:00 a.m.	Texarkana College	2008 Ark Medicaid Managed Care Conference

New York Times: Obama’s Break With Ex-Pastor Sets Sharp Shift in Tone
Washington Post: Obama: Comments 'Outrageous'
Wall Street Journal: Charges Weigh on GM Results
Los Angeles Times: Flagging economy puts pressure on politicians
Houston Chronicle: Forget reserves: Bush says more oil drilling a must
Chicago Tribune: Obama on Wright: 'Great damage' done to relationship
Reuters: Two U.S. troops die in Iraq, worst month since Sept

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Its hopes high, Delta Univ Center gets first students
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Commission’s director is linked to insurance scam
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: King panel splits on accountability
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Forests burned to revive health
Ark. News Bureau: Jump in prison population perplexing, board told
Ark. News Bureau: New center gives Delta students access to four-year degrees
Ark. News Bureau: Presidential portraits to be displayed at state Capitol
Ark. News Bureau: Free gas can exchanges offered in Pulaski, Crittenden counties
Stephens DC Bureau: Beebe: No state office in Washington
Associated Press: Ark. lawmaker says ruling could spur voter ID requirement
Associated Press: Pryor to share political stories in upcoming autobiography
Associated Press: Wal-Mart to cash economic stimulus checks for free

Paul Greenberg: Problems, problems . . .
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: The Wright stuff
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: True grit
Meredith Oakley: Rebuilding history
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Guaranteed freedom has another side
Steve Barnes: Clinton Clings To Hope
Brenda Blagg: Huckabee Unlikely Second
David Sanders: No, it ain't over ... yet
Vic Harville cartoon

Candidate forums

Here's a picture from last night's forum and pie auction in Fouke. Candidates for the three Miller County contested races spoke first (county judge, JP District 10, and the five-way race for sheriff), and then the other candidates spoke.

There'll be a Pulaski County forum tonight at the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce (100 Main Street). Tonight's forum, which begins at 5:30, will include judicial candidates, county candidates, and all contested legislative races in Pulaski County.

Tuesday in Arkansas

Time	Committee	Place	Agenda
9:00 a.m.	Public Health, Welfare & Labor	Harrison	Click here
9:00 a.m.	Chiefs of Police Qualifications T.F.	Rm. 149	Click here

Time	Event	Place
11:00 a.m.	Dedication at Mid-South Community College	West Memphis

Time	Place	Event
5:30 p.m.	NLR Chamber	Pulaski County Candidates Forum
7:00 p.m.	Clinton Center	Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
7:00 p.m.	Blytheville	"Pinocchio" (Ritz Civic Center)

Major development in the Janie Ward case

The Janie Ward case has been pending since I was in the 9th grade. Today, special prosecutor Tim Williamson says the long-questioned 1989 death of Ward at a rural Searcy County party "cannot be classified as a homicide." This case has long been followed by major news outlets throughout the state. Williamson says a third extraordinary autopsy last year on the remains of Olivia "Janie" Ward of Marshall found no extensive bruising or signs of a beating. Here's more from the Associated Press.

Berry to participate in congressional debate today

A congresional debate will take place today in Cincinnati on health care, and Arkansas Congressman Marion Berry will participate. The other participants will be Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Rep. Charles Boustany, M.D. (R-LA), Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL), Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA), Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), and Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ).

The debate will be moderated by NPR health policy correspondent and CongressDaily contributing editor Julie Rovner. You can watch the debate live at NextGenWeb.org. It begins at 1:00 p.m. Arkansas time. This is the second in a series of debates designed to foster bipartisan dialogue on the most important issues facing America and to generate substantive discussion that goes beyond sound bites and partisan talking points. For info on the first debate, click here.

Halter in charge

Governor Beebe will attend the Chamber's annual Washington fly-in dinner and reception for our congressional delegation this evening in Arlington, VA. Lt. Governor Halter will be acting governor in Beebe's absence. The governor will be back in the state for a speech tomorrow morning for a dedication at the Mid-South Community College in West Memphis.

Monday in Arkansas

Time	Committee	Place	Agenda
1:30 p.m.	Public Health, Welfare & Labor	Harrison	Click here

Time	Event	Place
6:00 p.m.	Reception honoring Arkansas's congressional delegation	Arlington, VA

Time	Place	Event
6:00 p.m.	Arlington, VA	Annual Washington Fly-In/Congressional Dinner
6:30 p.m.	WAC, Fayetteville	The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley

Time	Place	Event
10:30 a.m.	Cooper Tire	Annual Worker Memorial Day
12:00 p.m.	Texarkana College	Good Character Scholarships award ceremony
4:30 p.m.	3809 E 9th St.	Roo's Bistro Italiano Ribbon Cutting
5:30 p.m.	4405 Summerhill Rd.	Small Business Seminar: Is Your Idea Feasible?

New York Times: Loan Industry Fighting Rules on Mortgages
Wall Street Journal: Mars, Buffett Near Wrigley Deal
Washington Post: Reverend's Words Stir Debate on His Creed
Washington Post: Democrats Registering In Record Numbers
Los Angeles Times: The force behind the surge
Houston Chronicle: Houston relieved as Continental rejects merger talk
Chicago Tribune: Continental spurns United
Reuters: Rev. Wright: Black church misunderstood

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: State scans ID faces in bid to end fraud (AP)
Ark Democrat Gazette: State doctors expanding care through long-distance med.
Stephens DC Bureau: Senate rejects disclosure of pay discrimination
Associated Press: Work could begin this summer on new Delta Regional airport
Associated Press: Delta task force sees most Miss. bills fail
Jonesboro Sun: Berry calls farm bill deal ‘as good as we can expect’

John Brummett: Worst of all Democratic worlds
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Where’s the support?
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: The Arkansas party line
Jonesboro Sun: Multilane highway is more practical
Pat Lynch: 'User-friendly’ lottery column
Vic Harville cartoon

Broadway roast

An upcoming benefit roast of state Senator Shane Broadway (D-Bryant) will be held at Brown’s Country Store & Restaurant in Benton on May 5 at 6:00 p.m. Proceeds will be divided between Boy Scout troops in Saline County and Rare Cancer Research. The roasters will be former state Sen. Doyle Webb of Benton; Donnie Burks, director of the Benton Athletic Memorial Museum on the Benton High School campus; Whit Jones, editor of the Courier; and a "surprise roaster." The governor is expected to provide a special video presentation.

Texarkana Animal Shelter's 2009 Day Planner

A reader requested, and I'm happy to oblige, for some publicity for the Texarkana Animal Shelter's fundraiser, a 2009 Day Planner titled “Tails of Two Cities." Click here for more information, and you can print an application here (Word document).

Sunday morning Ark-La-Tex roundup

John Brummett: Strange Bedfellows Indeed John Brummett (national column): Worst of all worlds for the Democrats Andrew DeMillo: Ed. board member wants closer eye on athletic costs Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Arkansas Gun laws draw protest Texarkana Gazette Editorial: Stimulus checks won’t fix economy Stephens DC Bureau: 'Idol' thoughts by congressman Arkansas News Bureau: Huckabee helping opponent of critic in House race Associated Press: Ark. ties college funding partly to student achievement Associated Press: Ark. license program set up for illegal-drug-site cleanup Associated Press: SW Ark. lumber mill to reopen Bob Caudle: Students Don't Need Mixed-Up Messengers Steve Barnes: Clinton Clings To Hope Doug Thompson: Obama And His Fans Hoyt Purvis: Flying turbulence Is regulation in the air? NWA Morning News: Area Schools Looking At Hard Times Northwest Arkansas Times: It stings a bit Kane Webb: Panning for nuggets Meredith Oakley: A new beginning Arkansas Democrat Gazette Editorial: The Candidate cometh Arkansas Democrat Gazette Editorial: Close to home Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Rice mill fulfilling a farmer’s dream Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Exemptions Suit raises free-speech concern Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Arkansas dodges subprime bullet Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Parks in ‘Arkansas still drawing folks outdoors Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Prison kitchen fills special needs Vic Harville cartoon

Lufkin Daily News Editorial: Texas roads El Paso Times Editorial: Immigration: Feds need to take more responsibility Houston Chronicle: Polygamist sect pleads for Perry's help to get children Houston Chronicle: Groups assail state agency that handles complaints Houston Chronicle: High cost of college: Reality 101 Ft. Worth Star Telegram: Border fence target: 300 miles in 8 months Ft. Worth Star Telegram: Slowly but surely, district turns buses green San Antonio Express News: State bets lottery can cash in on Flintstones San Antonio Express News: Advocates for disabled continue funding fight Austin American Statesman Column: Mission accomplished, y'all Waco Tibune Herald column: Lena Guerrero was shooting star

New Orleans Times Picayune Editorial: Don't repeat past mistakes New Orleans Times Picayune: Briefing book New Orleans Times Picayune: Ethics changes called into question Baton Rouge Advocate video: Surplus bill would give tax rebates Baton Rouge Advocate video: Gov. declares parishes disaster areas KATC-TV Lafayette: Jindal in Lafayette: "I'm Not Going To Run as the VP" New Orleans Times Picayune: Lawmaker wants fleur-de-lis to be state symbol

Two Razorbacks go in the first round

I'm back home and see that McFadden was the 4th selection of the 2008 NFL Draft (Oakland), and Felix Jones was the 22nd pick and will be playing for the Dallas Cowboys.

Governor announces 24 appointments

Click here for the complete list

Friday afternoon

We're wrapping up a meeting on rail policy, and I have a lot to write about on an assortment of issues once I get a prolonged break: voter ID, economic development incentives, transportation, etc. Robbie Wills and I are headed over to the German Ambassador's residence for dinner after the conclusion of today's programs. Here's a picture from the DLCC retreat last night.

Governor's weekly radio address

Open for Business in the Global Economy
Click play on the console below:

The McCain visit

McCain is in Arkansas today holding a fundraiser at the Capital Hotel in Little Rock before heading over to Arkansas Baptist College to address a class there at 2:00 p.m. Here's a summary of Senator McCain's latest conference call that mentions the stop, and I sat in on a phone conference yesterday held by DPA Chairman Bill Gwatney regarding McCain's Arkansas visit.

Click here for notes from Chairman Gwatney's phone conference.

Here come the ad buys

We're within a month of the primaries in Arkansas, and several candidates are beginning to spend money to get their message to the voters. Scott Smith (House District 29) has purchased a five figure ad buy, and LJ Bryant has purchased a cable buy in excess of $5000 in HD58. Davy Carter (R-Cabot), who's raised quite a bit of money in House District 48, will begin airing this commercial today. He's opposed by Randy Minton, Republican of Ward.



Click here for a list of all House races.

Discussion with Sen. Lamar Alexander

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) offered up some discussion on federalism and unfunded and underfunded mandates such as the 2005 RealID Act. Being a former governor, he's in a pretty good position to know how federal mandates can affect state budgets and tie the hands of state governments. My next meeting starts in a few minutes, but I'll come back and update this entry later this morning and expand on this event and others here in DC.

Bill Moyers Journal tonight: Rev. Jeremiah Wright

Bill Moyers interviews the Reverend Jeremiah Wright in his first broadcast interview with a journalist since he became embroiled in a controversy for his remarks and his relationship with Barack Obama. I'm sure the Obama camp would just as soon see Rev. Wright go on vacation until the convention, and this is sure to put the campaign on the defensive for at least the weekend. The show will appear on AETN at 9:00 tonight after Unconventional Wisdom, Washington Week and Arkansas Week.

From the archives: Texarkana on the CBS Early Show

A reader e-mails this video that aired on the CBS Early Show a while back featuring Texarkana. This segment was filmed right around time we enacted the 2006 Clean Indoor Air Act:

Friday in Arkansas

Time	Place	Event
10:00 a.m.	LR Chamber	Ark. Ethics Commission Candidate Training Session
All Day	Fordyce	28th Annual Fordyce on the Cotton Belt Festival
All Day	Mountain View	Dulcimer Jamboree: A Traditional Music Event

Time	Place	Event
11:00 a.m.	2345 Trinity Blvd.	Ribbon Cutting: Red River Federal Credit Union

Arkansas Court of Appeals candidates appear at forum

Courtney Henry, a Fayetteville lawyer, and Rogers attorney Ron Williams will square off in the race for District 3, Position 2 of the Arkansas Court of Appeals. The district is made up of seven counties in northwest Arkansas, and this non-partisan race has garnered more attention than any of the other judicial races this year.

Both candidates appeared at a forum hosted by the Washington County Republican Women yesterday, and The Morning News has a report. The Arkansas Code of Judicial Conduct prevents judicial candidates from discussing issues that may come before them, so it's a tough way to campaign. I can't locate a website for Williams, but you can find Henry's here.

Henry grew up in Harrison and worked eight years for judges on the Court of Appeals. She has the endorsement of former U. S. Rep. John Paul Hammerschmidt, (R-Ark.), who served in Congress from 1967 to 1993. Williams grew up in Arkadelphia and worked as a trust officer in Conway and as a deputy prosecutor in Greene County working in-house at Wal-Mart as assistant general counsel. He's now a partner with his son-in-law and former state Rep. Timothy C. Hutchinson. For a complete list of all Arkansas judicial races this year (outside of district judges), click here.

Late night run through Capitol Hill

I landed late last night and still had some energy, so I took out on a run here in downtown DC. I serve on the National Conference of State Legislatures Redistricting and Elections Committee, and we're about to convene to discuss voting machines and the 2008 elections. We'll also meet with officials with the U.S. Census Bureau today to discuss the redistricting database and the North Carolina redistricting case that will soon be taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court that deals with the Voting Rights Act. I serve on the committee with Rep. Rich Gallot (D-Louisiana) and Sen. Jeff Wentworth (R-San Antonio). Robbie Wills is also here meeting on transportation funding issues. Later this evening, we'll both participate in a roundtable on state fiscal conditions.

Thursday in Arkansas

Time	Committee	Place	Agenda
9:00 a.m.	Agriculture, Forestry, Econ. Dev.	Arkansas City	Click here

Time	Event	Place
10:30 a.m.	Economic development announcement	El Dorado
6:00 p.m.	Governor Beebe is honored as the YMCA Man of the Year	Jonesboro

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

Time	Place	Event
2:00 p.m.	DeQueen	Ribbon Cutting: Sevier County Jail
6:00 p.m.	UALR	7th Annual Prostate Foundation event
6:00 p.m.	Clinton School	Joe Grieboski, Pres., Institute on Religion & Public Policy
All Day	Fordyce	28th Annual Fordyce on the Cotton Belt Festival
All Day	Helena	8th Annual Wild Hog Musicfest/Motorcycle Rally
All Day	Russellville	16th Annual Taste of the Valley
All Day	Mountain View	Dulcimer Jamboree: A Traditional Music Event

Time	Place	Event
4:00 p.m.	5415 Cowhorn Creek	Reception for Chamber of Commerce
4:00 p.m.	Hopkins Feed & Seed	Downtown crawfish boil
7:00 p.m.	Fairgrounds	Ringling Brothers Circus

New York Times: For Democrats, Questions Over Race and Electability
Wall Street Journal: Ford Swings to a Profit
Washington Post: Defending a 'Wide Stance' Requires a Thick Wallet
Los Angeles Times: Superdelegates split over lengthy battle
Houston Chronicle: Feds: Charter bus services fronts for drug smuggling
Chicago Tribune: At $3.75 a gallon for gas, more drivers park it
Reuters: Record rice prices feed food fears

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Insurers’ rates below cost, hospitals claim
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Soggy Oil Trough puts blame on levees
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Whole Hog Cafe on McCain’s LR schedule
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Money spent on students parsed
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Drunken-driving report ranks Arkansas fifth-lowest
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Frontier to end service to LR June 1
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Rice in demand, Sam’s Club limits sales
Ark. News Bureau: Report: Schools spending smaller percentages on instruction
Ark. News Bureau: River official: Ark., Okla. should cooperate
Ark. News Bureau: McCain to visit Arkansas college
Stephens DC Bureau: Arkansas lawmakers oppose gas tax 'holiday'
Stephens DC Bureau: Ark. Dems sign on for Hillary Clinton fundraiser
Associated Press: McCain hopes to build Ark. support with fundraiser
Associated Press: New exhibit chronicles political 'circus' in Arkansas
Texarkana Gazette: Harrelson’s political blog best in Arkansas, says Wash. Post

John Brummett: Clark: new man, old pursuit
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Greatness can wait
Jonesboro Sun: Education report shows improvement
Benton County Daily Record: Elephant Ignored
Vic Harville cartoon

Group formed to oppose lottery launches campaign

A couple of shots were fired in Lt. Gov. Halter's direction this morning as the Arkansas Family Action Council Committee launched the "Truth Campaign" at the Capitol. During the event, Pastor Robert E. Smith suggested that Halter and government officials who support the lottery are influenced by the "user friendly" churches they attend. When asked if Halter, a practicing Catholic, attended a user-friendly ministry, Smith said: "If any at all."

The lottery brings together people of varying political views to form alliances you wouldn't see anywhere else. I'm for the lottery for the simple reason that people here in my district can purchase tickets at will just by driving across State Line Avenue. While they're over there purchasing lottery tickets, the proceeds of which go to Austin to educate Texans, they're also purchasing other items they could otherwise buy in Arkansas.

The Associated Press has a story on this morning's news conference.

Sen. Pryor hosting FR for Joe White on Saturday

State Senate candidate Joe White (D-Conway) will get a little help from Sen. Mark Pryor this Saturday by way of a fundraiser Pryor is hosting at the Old Gin in Conway. White is running against Sen. Gil Baker (R-Conway) in Senate District 30.

Jackson County Dems to host candidates forum

2008 Legislative Races:
House District 58

---

There is a four-way Democratic primary for the race to replace term-limited Rep. Tommy Dickinson (D-Newport), and the Jackson County Democratic Central Committee will host a candidates forum for this race in conjunction with the Jackson County Democratic Women next Tuesday, April 29. The forum will take place at 6:00 p.m. in the Newport High School Auditorium. The election for this primary will be May 20, and there is no filed Republican opposition for this seat.

LJ Bryant	Jerry Carlew	Jamie Darling	Jody Dickinson
Hometown: Newport Age: 21 Occupation: Self-employed Party: Democrat Cash on hand: $16,034 (as of 3/31) Total Raised: $28,661 (as of 3/31) Website	Hometown: Newport Age: 73 Occupation: Retired Co. Judge Party: Democrat Cash on hand: $474 (as of 3/31) Total Raised: $6,300 (as of 3/31) Website	Hometown: Tuckerman Age: 35 Occupation: Business owner Party: Democrat Cash on hand: $11,282 (as of 3.31) Total Raised: $15,275 (as of 3/31) Website	Hometown: Newport Age: 67 Occupation: Retired Party: Democrat Cash on hand: $6,084 (as of 3/31) Total Raised: $11,150 (as of 3/31) Website

House District 58

In addition to the legislative candidates, all other county candidates in Jackson County are encouraged to attend. There is a three-way race for county judge, and a few JP races are on the ballot. For a list of all county candidates in Jackson County, click here.

Arkansas not the only state experiencing loan credit crunch -- Updated

The Arkansas Student Loan Authority announced last week that it might not have enough money to offer college loans for the next school year. Other states are facing the same problem. Since mid-February, agencies in Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Texas have announced they will stop offering federal loans. Lending groups for Iowa, Missouri and New Hampshire have suspended their private loan programs. Michigan has dropped both types of loans. Lack of money also led the Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corp. to announce it will not accept applications for federal loans from new students after May 1. Click here for more info.

Update: The state board of finance is considering loaning $80 million to the state's student loan authority after the agency said the sagging economy nationally has jeopardized its ability to lend money to college students. Here's more from the Associated Press.

Wednesday in Arkansas

Time	Committee	Place	Agenda
9:00 a.m.	Joint Adequacy Evaluation Oversight	171	Click here
10:00 a.m.	Substance Abuse Prevention T.F.	130	Click here
1:00 p.m.	Agriculture, Forestry, Econ. Dev.	Arkansas City	Click here

Time	Event	Place
6:00 p.m.	Arkansas Heritage Month Kick-off Reception	Old State House

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

Time	Place	Event
6:00 p.m.	Old State House	Ark Politics: A Circus Hitched to a Tornado

Time	Place	Event
7:00 p.m.	Fairgrounds	Ringling Brothers Circus

Philadelphia Inquirer: With Clinton's win, doubts on Obama
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Clinton wins in Pennsylvania
New York Times: With Clear Victory, She Has Rationale to Fight On
Wall Street Journal: Clinton Wins Pennsylvania
Washington Post: Obama's Gloves Are Off -- And May Need to Stay Off
Los Angeles Times: Clinton stays alive with win in Pennsylvania
Houston Chronicle: 'The tide is turning,' victorious Clinton says
Chicago Tribune: Spinning Pennsylvania
Reuters: Clinton wins Pennsylvania

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Argue: 245 districts is too many
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Shippers look at ‘green’ options
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Arkansas women take hit in life-expectancy data
Ark. News Bureau: Argue: State should have more control of local school funding
Ark. News Bureau: Schools lacking in sex education, former surgeon general says
Ark. News Bureau: Larger percentage of Arkansans filling Chesapeake jobs
Associated Press: Business leaders say Ark. economy has its strong points
Associated Press: Argue: Ark. needs bigger say in local school spending
Associated Press: Project for Batesville students mixes horses, reading
Associated Press: Arkansas uses program to check faces for ID cards

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: That buzzing noise
Paul Greenberg: Mail from all over
Brenda Blagg: Midland Gets Off List
David Sanders: Mike Huckabee being steered toward 2012 race
Meredith Oakley: No mystery in tax
Gene Lyons: Superdelegates shouldn’t ignore the odds
Vic Harville cartoon