Poll of the month

What do you consider to be the country's most distressing problem currently?

Price of gasoline Terrorism Cost of health care Length of commitment of troops in Iraq Economy Illegal immigration view results comments

We haven't conducted a poll since the primary election. Some of these choices affect each other, but what do you consider to be the country's biggest concern today?

Do you consider these hardships to be temporary, or will they have a long-lasting effect on the country? If you chose the price of gasoline, what are you and your family doing in response? If you chose the economy, do you believe the Fed made the right decision last week in leaving short-term interest rates unchanged? What are your solutions to these issues?

Utah becomes first state to declare four-day workweeks

With the rise of fuel and energy costs, several states (including us) have studied the possibility of giving state employee commuters some relief through a four-day work week while balancing the quality of services provided by state agencies. On Thursday, Utah became the first state to declare four-day workweeks mandatory for most state agencies. That means that roughly 17,000 Utah state employees will begin a 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. work schedule Mondays through Thursdays beginning in August. Essential services, such as highway patrols, courts, public schools and colleges, will not be affected by the changes. The move is expected to save the state $3 million. Florida, Kentucky and South Carolina have offered similar optional workweeks to some state employees. Here's more from stateline.org.

Pro: A four-day workweek helps commuter-clogged roads, gives people access to government services for longer hours, reduces emissions and gasoline consumption and conserves energy at state facilities — a benefit that saves taxpayers money.

Con: Shortening the workweek makes it inconvenient for the customers government is required to serve. In addition, the longer workdays burden those who require daycare for children or have special commuting arrangements.

LPGA event begins in NWA today

The P&G Beauty Northwest Arkansas Championship begins today with professional practice at the Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers. The Pro-Am will take place Wednesday and Thursday, and the LPGA event will culminate with live coverage on CBS Saturday and Sunday.

On tap today

The National Conversation will adjourn today at 2:00 p.m. -- here's the schedule:

8:30 a.m.: Opening ceremonies and remarks by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley

9:15 a.m.: Remarks by DLC Chair Harold Ford, Jr.

10:00 a.m.: The winning formula in middle America: Governor Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D-Kansas), and Governor Phil Bredesen (D-Tennessee). Moderated by John Harris, Editor in Chief, The Politico

12:30 p.m.: Winning a mandate for reform: Rodney Slater, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Tom Vilsack, former Governor of Iowa

Dinner with the governors

Here's a picture of last night's event with Governor Phil Bredesen of Tennessee and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius (at the adjacent table)

Last day of the state fiscal year

There are no meetings of the Legislature today, and the governor has no official events set.

New York Times: Obama Camp Thinks Democrats Can Rise in South
Wall Street Journal: WTC Rebuilding Faces Setback
Washington Post: Where False Obama Rumors Fly
Los Angeles Times: The big VP question: Who's on the short list?
Houston Chronicle: Immigration raids round up workers, employers go free
Chicago Tribune: Coded race slurs increase
Reuters: African summit will press Mugabe to negotiate

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: LR nurse running for seat in Congress
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: School board filing moved up, shortened
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Bikers’ fatalities on rise in state
Stephens DC Bureau: Congress completes war spending-vets benefit bill
Associated Press: Ark.'s largest university goes tobacco-free
Associated Press: South Ark. farmers report more fuel thefts
Associated Press: University's new leader seeks more Ark. students
Associated Press: Gearhart OK with peaceful U. of Ark protests

John Brummett: Whose Christianity? Which?
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Clocking in at the plant
Pat Lynch: Summer’s flaming arrows
Andrew DeMillo: Secrecy surrounds industry hunt
Vic Harville cartoon

On tap today

9:00 a.m.: Elected officials board breakfast

10:00 a.m.: National Conversation Breakouts I (Mobilizing the country, Public schools, Infrastructure, Election reform and redistricting, Reducing crime, or Low cost/high quality health care

11:45 a.m.: Conference Luncheon (speakers are U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Delaware), Governor Bill Richardson (D-New Mexico); moderated by Harold Ford, Jr., DLC Chair. Further remarks by Ron Brownstein, author of the Second Civil War: How partisanship has paralyzed Washington and polarized America

1:45 p.m.: National Conversation Breakouts II (I'll be leading the session on New social media and their impact on politics with Chris Kelly of Facebook)

3:30 p.m.: National Conversation Breakouts III (Economic growth, Pre-K, Security, or Leadership workshops)

Saturday night

Here's the view from the turnaround point on my run tonight. My marathon schedule calls for an 11-miler tomorrow, and luckily (well, unfortunately really), Florida state Rep. Lorrane Ausley (D-Tallahassee) has agreed to run with me before tomorrow's meetings begin and give me the word on Gov. Crist's options and the presidential race in Florida. She's a triathlete and just finished the Escape from Alcatraz trialthlon earlier this month, so she'll likely be dragging me up and down the north shore in the morning while I try to keep up and listen.

Here are some pictures from this evening's reception (click picture for info):

DLC Fellows Class

Our inaugural leadership class of the DLC gathered today here at the National Conversation for a discussion on effective governance. Here are a few pics:

DLC Founder and CEO Al From addresses the class

Roundtable on effective governance

Discussion on what voters are seeking from their government

Conway to accept Cadron Settlement from Corps of Engineers

The Corps of Engineers is handing over, on a 25-year, no money lease, Cadron Settlement Park to the city of Conway. The park was one of many developed by the Corps in conjunction with the McClellan-Kerr Navigation Project on the Arkansas River thirty to forty years ago. Cadron was one of the earliest trading settlements in central Arkansas, along with La Petite Roche, the French original name for Little Rock. Cadron was virtually at the geographical center of Arkansas and missed out being the capital by one vote in the territorial legislature when the decision was made to move the capital from Arkansas Post in 1820. Here's more from today's Log Cabin Democrat.

Saturday in Chicago

The first program here at the DLC National Conversation begins in a couple of hours. We'll also hear from Chicago Mayor Richard Daley today, who is serving as the honorary chairman of this weekend's events. I passed Lori at the airport, who was coming from Chicago to Little Rock on business. We'll pass again on Monday as I fly back to Little Rock and she comes back to Chicago.

Governor's weekly radio address

Keep What You've Earned as You Age
Click play on the console below:

Leadership Arkansas graduation

Governor Beebe addressed the graduates of Leadership Arkansas here in Springdale this morning. The graduates included Rep. Bruce Maloch (D-Magnolia). Here's the governor visiting with a KNWA reporter after the event.

Two-thirds of payday lenders in Arkansas have closed shop

Since Attorney General Dustin McDaniel ordered 156 payday lending stores to cease operations here in Arkansas, 101 of them have closed, according to an article in today's Democrat Gazette. Justin Allen, chief deputy in the attorney general’s office, says those who haven't closed their doors have changed their method of operation so as to fall within the law. The attorney general has sued four payday lenders. McDaniel's directive was motivated by two Arkansas Supreme Court rulings in January and February of this year. It also came on the heels of legislation that passed the House 90-3 (but which failed in the Senate) that would've defined fees charged by check cashers to be interest, thereby violating the Arkansas constitution as it relates to usurious loans over and above 17% interest.

Gerrymandering the vote

We're in a unique position here in Arkansas where reapportionment is neither a legislative obligation, nor has it been politicized here like it has in many of our neighboring states. David Broder's column in yesterday's Washington Post lays out the argument that voting can be suppressed by the creation of districts that heavily favor one candidate.

When your country ranks 139th in the world in voter participation, there's something wrong. Is it cynicism? Apathy? Broder suggests that when district lines are drawn in such a manner as to predetermine the winner based on a candidate's party affiliation, it makes voters think their vote doesn't matter. I agree with him. With today's technology, district lines should be able to be reapportioned electronically with little meddling. Here's a link to a cutting edge political study, which provides data in support of the contention that partisan influence in reapportionment suppresses voter turnout.

Here in Arkansas (and unlike other states), Article 8 of our state Constitution takes it out of our hands and creates the Board of Apportionment. The process of determining changes in district lines will take place here in 2011 after the next census, and we're sure to see geographically smaller state legislative districts here in northwest Arkansas due to the population boom here over the last several years -- I've even heard speculation that by 2020, the 3rd CD could be made up only of Washington and Benton counties. It's good to have a system like we have here in Arkansas that doesn't let partisan advantages play a role in drawing our district boundary lines.

Note: Article 8 has been amended/affected by Amendment 23 and Amendment 45.

Weekly radio address from Congressman Ross

Gas prices/market manipulation
Click play on the console below:

A Pryor Commitment

The Associated Press has been given an advanced copy of David Pryor's autobiography, "A Pryor Commitment." Among the topics include discussion of a 1978 Senate race against a young and ambitious Bill Clinton and his relationship with Reagan and McCain.

He also talks about his defeat to Sen. John McClellan in 1972, which prompted him to abandon politics and stop reading the newspaper for months. Regrets? He wishes he'd have opposed the war in Vietnam sooner, and he thinks he was too tentative in his approach to early civil rights battles. The book will be released on September 16 and is being published by the University of Arkansas Press. Here's more.

Political Animals Club of Northwest Arkansas

We're live blogging here at the Fayetteville Clarion, and I'm taking and posting a picture to show the audience that information, including pictures, can be distributed across the state and world in a matter of seconds. It's the reason I believe that more and more people are using the Internet as a source for news, so long as they can trust the source.

Zook named Pres./CEO of Arkansas State Chamber

After a four month nationwide search, the Executive Committee of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas has named Randy Zook as President and Chief Executive Officer of the organization. Zook currently serves as Deputy Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. He will assume his new position July 28.

Zook was in attendance at last night's Leadership Arkansas dinner in Springdale, where Frank Broyles was the speaker. Here's more from the Associated Press.

2008 general election legislative races

Here's an updated list of all legislative races that include preferential primary winners, Green Party nominees and independent candidates who submitted the required number of signatures to appear on the November 4 ballot. There are 29 House races and only one Senate race. I've also included Harvey Edwards, an announced write-in candidate from Stuttgart for House District 14. Write-in candidates must submit their intent to run by August 6. Here's a printable version of the list of legislative races (or click the picture).

Update: Oops. I have Keith Williams listed as an R in HD49. Sorry, Keith.

U.S. Supreme Court shoots down DC gun ban -- Update

In the Supreme Court's first major pronouncement on gun rights in U.S. history, the court ruled 5-4 minutes ago that Americans have a right to own guns for self-defense and hunting, striking down the District of Columbia's 32-year-old ban on handguns. Justice Scalia wrote the majority opinion, and dissents were issued by Justices Stephens and Breyer. Here's more from the Washington Post.

Update (Friday): Here's a statement from Congressman Ross in response to the ruling:

“I am a strong supporter of and remain committed to protecting the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution which guarantees ‘the right of the people to keep and bear arms,’” Ross said. “I firmly believe that this right should apply to all citizens of this country, regardless of where they choose to live. I have a fundamental problem with denying citizens these rights, and current laws that restrict such rights in our Nation’s Capitol only send a message to the rest of the country that other cities, towns or states could be next. I am proud that the Supreme Court today recognized the unconstitutional nature of current law in the District of Columbia, and am pleased that this ruling will help to restore the Second Amendment rights of citizens in our Nation’s Capitol.”

Chicago via Fayetteville

I'm headed to northwest Arkansas this afternoon to speak at tomorrow's meeting of the Political Animals Club in Fayetteville. If you're in the vicinity and are interested in coming, it'll take place at the Fayetteville Clarion at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow (send a note here), and it's eight bucks for breakfast.

Following the meeting, I'm going to try to make the governor's speech tomorrow to the Leadership Arkansas graduates in Springdale before heading to Chicago for the Democratic Leadership Council National Conversation. I'll be leading a leadership session there on communicating with constituents, and I'll be blogging live from that event and all others in Chicago through Monday.

Blue Dog Dems consider involvement in Senate races

Arkansas Congressman Mike Ross, leader of the Blue Dog Democrats, made the front page of The Hill today, a widely read publication on Capitol Hill. Frustrated that their fight to end deficit spending has been stonewalled in the U.S. Senate, Ross says the group may endorse candidates running for the upper chamber.

“We’re never going to restore fiscal discipline to our government until we get more Blue Dogs elected to Republican Senate seats,” Ross said. Thanks largely to Ross, the organization is flush and has more money that it can spend helping its own members. Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner could be the recipient of Blue Dog support. Here's a link to the article.

Halter to submit signatures today -- Update

After roughly 8 months of collecting signatures to have the Scholarship Lottery placed on the November ballot, Lt. Governor Bill Halter and the Hope for Arkansas initiative will submit their petitions to Secretary of State Charlie Daniels to be certified at 10:15 a.m. this morning. The campaign may break the record of the most signatures ever submitted.

Update: 138,615 signatures were submitted this morning. 77,468 are required to be qualified electors in order for the proposed constitutional amendment to appear on the ballot.

Thursday in Arkansas

Time	Event	Place
9:00 a.m.	Governor addresses the Arkansas Governor's School	Hendrix
11:15 a.m.	Announcing of Ark Long-Term Care Partnership	NLR

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

Time	Place	Event
5:00 p.m.	Sherwood	Fundraiser for HD43 candidate Jim Nickels
5:30 p.m.	Rogers	8th Annual Spelling Bee and Auction
6:00 p.m.	Malvern	28th Annual Malvern Brickfest

Time	Place	Event
5:00 p.m.	Zapata's Grill	Arkansas Municipal Auditorium 8th Decade

New York Times: U.S. to Take North Korea Off Terror List
Wall Street Journal: Pyongyang Submits Nuclear List
Washington Post: On Obama's Coattails, an Uninvited Rider
Los Angeles Times: 75% blame Bush for U.S. economy
Houston Chronicle: Employer arrests could follow Houston immigration raid
Chicago Tribune: Alleged coverup of air-traffic errors investigated
Reuters: Markets: Looking down

San Antonio Express-News: Trans-Texas Corridor moves ahead
WTVC Chattanooga: Tennessee looks at changing DUI Laws
Opelousas (La.) Daily World: Legislative session 'success' depends on view
Tulsa World: Childrape ruling scuttles Oklahoma law
NE Miss. Daily Journal: Legislators return to session with no compromise in sight
Kansas City Star: Gov. Candidate Steelman unveils government ethics package

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Legislator praises anti-alien petition
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: State lottery estimates vary by $40 million
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Suit against developer seen as likely to grow
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: State La-Z-Boy plant stretching out
Ark Democrat Gazette: UA getting jump on potential student loan headaches
Ark. News Bureau: Lottery supporters, opponents release rival studies
Ark. News Bureau: N.E.W. to add 120 work-at-home jobs in Jonesboro
Stephens DC Bureau: Committee advances bill to get FEMA trailers trashed
Associated Press: What will Ark. lottery bring? Pick a number
Associated Press: HP enticed with $43M to build Ark. facility
Associated Press: Study: Is anti-meth law driving up cocaine use?

Texarkana Gazette: Cooper Tire production to stop for two days
NWA Morning News: Benton County Cities See Tax Collection Spike
Northwest Ark. Times: Seeing red for Greenland schools?
Benton County Daily Record: Jail facing fourth suit on immigration issue
Jonesboro Sun: Call center adds 120 jobs to area
Ft. Smith SW Times Record: City cuts administrator applicants To eight
Pine Bluff Commercial: City to hire lawyer for library suit
Searcy Daily Citizen: Police agreement being disputed
Stuttgart Daily Leader: Berry praises passage of appropriations bill

John Brummett: Challenge of the junior featherweight
Arkansas Leader: Prospecting for good jobs
Northwest Arkansas Times: Spoon-fed democracy?
Russellville Courier: The state budget
Brenda Blagg: Greenland Situation A Bellweather
Kane Webb: In defense of St. Barack
Lucas Roebuck: GOPers should resist third-party temptation
Vic Harville cartoon

President coming to Arkansas for fundraiser

The AP is reporting that President Bush will headline a fundraiser in Little Rock next week for the Arkansas Republican Party. You can get in the door for $150, and a photo-op package is being offered for $5,000.

Build it and they will come

That's normally a phrase reserved for college football coaches seeking a bigger stadium on campus. Here, Larry Norris, director of the Arkansas Department of Correction, unveiled a proposal yesterday to build a new, $160 million prison to help the state deal with its increasing prison population. Quoting Speaker Benny Petrus: “With a downturn in the economy right now, I’d be really skeptical of where they’re going to get the money.” Here's this morning's Democrat-Gazette article.

Flextime schedules in Arkansas state agencies

We took up Sen. Tracy Steele's interim study proposal yesterday in the Joint Interim Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs at the Capitol. The proposal suggests that allowing some employees to work 10 hours a day, four days a week would reduces traffic problems, air pollution and oil dependency. The state currently operates under a 1997 executive policy directive that allows agencies to implement flextime schedules with approval by the governor. Here's more on yesterday's meeting from the Arkansas News Bureau.

Scholarship lottery study -- Update

A media advisory says the Hope for Arkansas campaign will release a study today on the proposed scholarship lottery amendment. Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter is expected to hold a news conference tomorrow at the Capitol on its findings. I'll post the study here once it becomes available.

Update (1:50 p.m.): Here's the report from Lt. Governor Halter's office, and here's a response from Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.

Newborn screnning expansion

Three years after the passage of Joshua's Law (Act 1931 of 2005, and subsequently Act 1161 of 2007), Arkansas will expand its newborn screening to rival that of Wisconsin, a national leader in newborn screening. I named the bill after a young Cystic Fibrosis patient here in Texarkana. The Arkansas Board of Health approved revised regulations last fall, and while the expansion will increase hospital billing in the state, it will give physicians immeasurable value in helping detect conditions at an early stage for treatment and research. Here's more from the Associated Press.

Wednesday in Arkansas

I have court this morning in Tyler, Texas, so I'll be away until this afternoon. Here's today's schedule:

Time	Committee	Place	Agenda
10:00 a.m.	Public Health, Welfare & Labor	UAMS	Click here
1:30 p.m.	Public Retirement & Social Security Programs	171	Click here

Time	Event	Place
10:00 a.m.	Governor Beebe visits the La-Z-Boy, Inc. plant	Siloam Springs

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.)

Also today in Benton County: Attorney General Dustin McDaniel will be a special guest at a reception and fundraiser for Judge-elect Courtney Henry from 5-7 p.m. today at the law firm of Keith, Miller, Butler, Schneider and Pawlik, 224 S. Second St., Rogers.

Governor open to revisiting Amendment 82

Governor Beebe told reporters yesterday that he's willing to look at changes to our system for providing incentives for "super projects" as defined by Amendment 82 to the Arkansas Constitution. The amendment, adopted by Arkansas voters in 2004, allows the Legislature to authorize ADFA to issue bonds to provide incentive funds for projects that will invest more than $500 million in capital expenditures and hire at least 500 new employees in Arkansas. The issue was raised recently by incoming Speaker Robbie Wills (D-Conway). Wills would like to see the standard lowered in order to attract a wider array of economic development. Here's more from Stephens Media.

Tuesday in Arkansas

I'm on my way to Little Rock for meetings at the Capitol and elsewhere. I'll check in later today.

Time	Committee	Room	Agenda
10:00a.m.	State Agencies & Governmental Affairs	151	Click here

Time	Event	Place
10:00 a.m.	Garver Engineers ground-breaking ceremony	North Little Rock
1:00 p.m.	Historic Pres. Rest./County Cthouse Grants	Little Rock
1:30 p.m.	Coordinated School Health Conference	North Little Rock

Governor seeking more money for incentives fund

The governor announced today that he'll ask us to appropriate more money into a "quick action closing fund" to attract new businesses to Arkansas and help existing business in the state. Virtually all of the $50 million originally set aside has been spent or offered to various projects, he said. Here's the Associated Press article.

When sessions end

Most state legislatures that meet annually (44 of the 50 states) are beginning to conclude their sessions, and Stateline.org looks at many of the traditions that take place once the gavel falls for the final time. The traditions include a custom in the Missouri House to launch papers into the air (see photo, courtesy of Tim Bommel in the Missouri House Communications Office).

Unlike the Arkansas Legislature, which can extend a session by a two-thirds vote of both chambers, several states are constitutionally required to adjourn at a time and date certain. Lawmakers in Alabama, California, Illinois and South Carolina have literally stopped the clock at midnight to buy time for unresolved issues. Interesting article.

UALR announces $1 million endowment for nursing scholarships

UALR has received a $1 million endowment to pay for nursing scholarships for the next five years. The university announced the endowment this morning from the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation. The endowment will fund five full-time nursing scholarships per school year and two LPN or paramedic licensing scholarships each year. Here's more from the Associated Press.

Status of 2008 ballot proposals

Both today's Democrat-Gazette and today's Benton County Daily Record include articles about the status of this year's ballot proposals. To wit:

Adoption ban
The Family Council, a Little Rock-based group, has offered an initiated act that would ban unmarried sexual partners, whether gay or heterosexual, from adopting or becoming foster parents in Arkansas. Needs 61,974 signatures of eligible voters by July 7 to gain access to the November 4 ballot. As of Friday, they’d counted 48,193.

State lottery
Lt Gov. Bill Halter's Hope for Arkansas has offered a constitutional amendment that would authorize the General Assembly to operate state lotteries to fund scholarships and grants for Arkansans in certified two-year and four-year colleges and universities in the state. Needs 77,468 signatures of eligible voters by July 7. Lt. Governor Halter has already gathered over the required number of signatures and is continuing to gather signatures as a cushion.

Four Year Terms For County Sheriffs
The Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association is seeking a constitutional amendment that would change the term of all county sheriffs from two to four years, beginning in 2010. Needs 77,468 signatures of eligible voters by July 7.

Ban on benefits for illegals
A group named Secure Arkansas has offered an initiated act to prevent people who are unlawfully in the United States from receiving some public benefits. Needs 61, 974 signatures of eligible voters by July 7. The group does not know how many signatures it has gathered currently.

Four Year Terms for Elected County Officials
Marvin Cossey is seeking a constitutional amendment that would change the term of all county elected officials from two to four years, beginning in 2010. Needs 77,468 signatures of eligible voters by July 7.

Casino gambling
Former state Rep. Charles Ormond of Morrilton has offered a proposed amendment that would legalize a lottery and casino gambling in the state and create a commission to oversee the games. Under Ormond's proposal, he'd be the initial director of the commission. Needs 77,468 signatures of eligible voters by July 7.

Wet-dry issue In Benton County
Dave Routon is heading up Citizens for Choice, which intends to put an issue on the ballot to decide whether Benton County will keep its dry-county liquor status. Needs more than 36,000 signatures by July 7 to make it on to the county ballot.

Legislative proposals:
Referred Question 1 would allow the state Natural Resources Commission to issue general obligation bonds under the Arkansas Water, Waste Disposal and Pollution Abatement Facilities Financing Act of 2007, to finance and refinance development of water, waste disposal, water pollution control, abatement and prevention, drainage, irrigation flood control and wetlands and aquatic resources projects. Will be on the November 4 ballot.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment 1: An Amendment Concerning Voting, Qualifications of Voters and Election Officers, and the Time of Holding General Elections ("cleans up" antiquated language in the constitution governing who can vote and who can be poll workers). Will be on the November 4 ballot.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment 2: Annual legislative sessions. This is an Amendment Providing That No Legislative Appropriation Shall Be For a Period Longer Than One Year, Providing For Fiscal Legislative Sessions, Requiring the General Assembly to Meet Every Year With Regular Sessions Continuing to be Held in Odd-numbered Years and Fiscal Sessions Held in Even-numbered Years, Unless the General Assembly Votes to Hold Regular Sessions in Even-numbered Years and Fiscal Sessions in Odd-numbered Years, and Allowing the General Assembly to Consider Non-fiscal Matters During a Fiscal Session Upon Approval of Two-thirds of Both Houses. Will be on the November 4 ballot.

No longer being pursued:
Severance tax
Former utility executive Sheffield Nelson offered a proposed initiated act to raise the state severance tax on natural gas. This initiated act was headed off by legislative action in a 2008 special session called by Governor Beebe.

Legislative term limits
Ormond has offered another amendment to extend the terms of state representatives from two to four years. He is no longer working on behalf of that proposal.

The Attorney General has approved popular names and ballot titles for all of these proposed issues.

Supersized home for former Razorback

This week's Arkansas Business profiles upscale homes in the west Little Rock subdivision of Deauville. Among the recent transactions is a 5,348 square foot home for former Razorback lineman Shawn Andrews. Andrews, probably the best run blocker in the NFL, also purchased the lot behind the home for $150,000. Good to see him keeping a base in Arkansas.

Marine Corps Marathon training begins today

I'll be running this year's Marine Corps Marathon with Team Semper Fi, a charity fund for injured Marines. The race, now the 4th largest in the U.S., will be held on October 26, 2008 in Washington, DC and will finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial Iwo Jima statue.

Want to help my cause? You can donate to the Semper Fi Fund here on my fundraising page. Ten dollars will feed a family at a Marine's bedside; $20 will get them transportation to and from the hospital, and $100 will buy a night's lodging for a Marine's family to be near their loved one.

Monday in Arkansas

There are no scheduled meetings of the Legislature or appellate courts today.

Time	Event	Place
1:00 p.m.	North Central Two-Year Colleges' Summer Leadership Academy	Clinton Library

New York Times: Obama Camp Closely Linked With Ethanol
New York Times: George Carlin, Splenetic Comedian, Dies at 71
Wall Street Journal: SEC Chief Cox Under Fire
Washington Post: Obama Moves To Reintroduce Himself to Voters
Los Angeles Times: Obama campaign targets black voters — carefully
Houston Chronicle: McCain: Build a better auto battery and win $300 million
Chicago Tribune: Chicago's political image a risk for Obama
Reuters: Trading: Looking for a bargain

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: State House GOP taps farmer to fill seat
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Hopefuls’ reports showing mistakes
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Groups pushing causes seek voters’ signatures
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Gas gripes? Shy agency place to call
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Code names, secrecy surrounded HP plans
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: 39th: On move at night, team looks home
Stephens DC Bureau: Washington Digest: Another war funding bill passes
Associated Press: Ark. government, business officials travel to Mexico
Associated Press: 60 years later, black U-A law student gets degree
Associated Press: Trap shooting catches on quickly with Ark. kids

John Brummett: Republicans without demons?
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Badges? Badges?
Pat Lynch: Here’s the big news
NWA Morning News: Troopers Stalled By Gas Prices
ADG Special Columnist Bruce McMath: Time to break glass