Severance tax increase signed into law -- Update

The governor signed the severance tax legislation into law a few minutes ago in the governor's conference room here at the Capitol. Within six months, he's convinced the natural gas industry to lobby for a tax increase on severing natural gas beneath Arkansas ground and persuaded more than three-quarters of each chamber of the Legislature to support the tax increase. All of this has been accomplished in the face of opposition from several people and groups, including the incoming Senate Pro Tem. He was criticized from the left for the exemptions and for proposing an increase below 7% and was criticized from the right for increasing revenue period. There were outside forces that helped, but you have to be impressed with his ability to orchestrate a three-day special session on a fairly complicated matter.

Update: Here's video: