Little Rock Touchdown Club

I'm in Little Rock today for some legislative business and a meeting at the State Chamber. I drove out to west Little Rock for today's meeting of the Little Rock Touchdown Club at lunch, and it's evident that Razorback football is near. Coach Petrino was the speaker, and the governor also spoke. Today's meeting drew a crowd of about 650 or so. Here's a picture:

Milder'n Hell 100

With a temp of 64 degrees at the 7:00 a.m. start, yesterday's Hotter'n Hell Hundred bike race in Wichita Falls was anything but. The weather made all the difference, too -- I beat last year's time by 22 minutes, and that even included a wreck near Hell's Gate at mile 60 that put me on the sidelines for a few minutes while I put some ointment on my knee and put my back wheel back in its hitch. I've always thought my reflexes were quick enough to avoid any wrecks in front of me, but when the guy you're drafting off of goes down with a blowout, there's nothing that can be done except hold on. Here are some pics:

Starting line (that's David Cox of Txk on the bottom right)

Finish Line

GPS

AP Photo:

Hotter'n Hell 100

I'm off to Wichita Falls, Texas at the close of business today to compete in the Hotter'n Hell Hundred mile bike race. The race has become the largest endurance bicycle race in the country.

The race will begin at 7:00 tomorrow, where it was already 90 degrees two years ago on its way to a 108 degree inferno. The forecast calls for a high of 95 tomorrow, which will be downright pleasant in comparison. I'm actually staying in Gainesville, Texas tonight, which is on Hwy. 82 just 85 miles east of the starting line.

Click here for last year's pictures.

Chamber breakfast on health care with Ross draws 180

The Texarkana Chamber of Commerce held a health care update this morning with Congressman Mike Ross and the President/CEOs of both local hospitals. THis comes on the heels of a telephone town hall last night with Ross, which had over 7,500 callers on the line. Ross was asked a variety of questions, and most focused on the impact on small businesses and the likelihood of a public option ultimately being offered in the resulting legislation. The chamber will hold a town hall on cap and trade next week, and Claiborne Deming will be the guest speaker.

National firm releases new poll on Beebe

And he's the most popular governor or senator the firm has polled this year. Here are the numbers.

Ross in Texarkana tomorrow to discuss health care

The Texarkana Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly business breakfast tomorrow morning at the college at 7:45, and this month's topic is health care. Congressman Mike Ross will attend, as will directors of the two local hospitals. More info here.

Speaking of health care forums, Congressman Boozman is holding one now with Senators Coburn and Barrasso in northwest Arkansas. Rep. Duncan Baird is in attendance and is providing the play-by-play over on Twitter.

Update: And if you want to follow Congressman Vic Snyder's health care town hall taking place at UCA this afternoon, you can follow Amanda Manatt, Cecillea Pond-Mayo, and Kelly Dudzik, all of whom are posting live from the event.

Coach Broyles to headline Alzheimer's Alliance event tonight

Frank Broyles will give the address at tonight's Alzheimer's Alliance annual meeting at Texarkana College tonight at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $40. Broyles' wife Barbara died in 2004 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 1999.

It's a slow day, so I'll tell about one of my first real experiences in politics that involved Broyles when I was president of the student body at the UofA (pictured right at a pre-game reception in Miami at the '95 Carquest Bowl with my roommates at the time). The Razorbacks had come on strong towards the end of the 1995 football season thanks to Madre Hill and others, and Broyles wanted to boost attendance at the upcoming homecoming game against Tennessee. He called over to the student government office on the Wednesday before the game and said it was imperative that we have a full stadium for the Tennessee game and that he thought it would be a good idea if we just allowed any student with an ID to get in the game and sit in the student section for free. Only 6,000 students had purchased student tickets, and 9,000 seats were reserved for the student section. I asked what would happen if the the vast majority of the 14,900 in enrollment showed, and he gave me his word that ushers wouldn't bother people who had to sit in the aisles because of overcrowding.

Of course, it wasn't that big of an issue in the big scheme, but I was smart enough to know that it was important to the 6,000 students who'd already bought the $6 tickets. I told him there was no time to convene the student senate and that I needed time to talk to others and consider it, and he told me he needed an answer in 90 minutes and hung up the phone.

I went on to class and asked every student I came into contact with what they thought. It was unanimous. "You mean you have the opportunity to give 9,000 students free tickets to watch two Top 15 teams, and you're considering not doing it?!" The cynics ensured me that it didn't matter what my response would be since Broyles had the authority to do it regardless of what some 21 year old student thought. They were right, of course, but even they thought it was a good idea. I told Broyles that I liked the idea but that we oughta give the students with a ticket a special roped area of the section closest to the field.

Well, Saturday rolled around and about 12,000 students crammed into a section designed to hold 9,000. I bet the stadium looked good on tv, but I think every student with a purchased ticket was holding up a sign demanding their $6 back (and we lost 31-21). The student newspaper let me have it the next week, and Broyles referred all media questions to me. He provided some cover later on, but I heard from some of those students for the rest of the year.

Still, Broyles called frequently that year, because he was interested in hearing from students. It surprised me, not only because no one not directly involved in student government cared about it, but that since Broyles himself reached near-sainthood in my household growing up. I always thought his Georgian drawl made him the best color commentator ABC had in the '80s. Since we're on old Razorback pictures, here's a good one from that same bowl game at the team's hospitality suite with Orville Henry and Paul Eells. I could've listened to their stories all night.

2010 Fiscal session

Here's a summary of the procedures, timelines, and pending issues for the 2010 Fiscal Session.

New Lincoln/Senate poll released moments ago

Lots of data here.

Kennedy's death and the changing of the Senate landscape

As you've seen by now, Sen. Ted Kennedy lost his battle with brain cancer late last night. Much will be said about his lasting career in the coming days (he's the only Kennedy brother to die of natural causes), and his death will lead to a number of changes that could affect the landscape of the Senate. These changes could ultimately open a chairmanship for Sen. Blanche Lincoln on the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Many speculate that the vacancy of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee chairmanship left by Sen. Ted Kennedy's death will go to acting Chairman Chris Dodd, meaning that he'll be forced to give up his chairmanship of the Senate Banking Committee. But If Dodd stays at Banking, the next ranking Democrat for HELP is Sen. Tom Harkin. He would have to give up his Agriculture Committee chairmanship, which would promote Sen. Lincoln all the way into the chairmanship unless Sens. Leahy, Conrad and Baucus give up their chairmanships of other other committees.

On this day in 1970: Bumpers emerges

NPR Politics tweets to remind us that 39 years ago today, Dale Bumpers came from ~1% name ID to victory in the crowded 1970 Democratic primary for governor.

Northwest Arkansas Business Journal 40 Under 40

The NWA Business Journal released its "40 Under 40" recently. A couple of politicos are named: Judge Courtney Henry and Rep. Stephanie Malone.

Mike Ross: The politics of health care reform

Click play on the console below:



Ross says that any health care reform bill must include these principles to get his vote:

• If you like the health insurance you have today, you should be able to keep it and choose your doctors;

• Government-run health care should not be forced on anyone.

• If government-run health care is ever forced on anyone, then the first group to receive it should be the President and Members of Congress, including myself.

• No federal funding for illegal immigrants or abortions.

• No rationing of care for seniors or anyone else.

• Require insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions and they should not be able to raise your premiums when you get sick.

• Affordable health insurance for every American citizen, with more choices, not less, and with the peace of mind knowing you will never go without health insurance again, even when you change jobs, get laid off, or get sick.

Hutchinson kicks off campaign today

According to the Benton Courier, former Rep. Jeremy Hutchinson is formally announcing his candidacy today for State Senate (District 22) on the steps of the Saline County Courthouse. He'll face Rep. Dan Greenberg in the Republican primary, which is 36 weeks from today. There's still plenty of time for other candidates to jump in this race, and two Democrats have already announced: Rep. Dawn Creekmore and Todd Witham.

Increasing online transparency webinar

I've been away from the blog the past few days being a lawyer/legislator/candidate, but most of my time has been spent getting ready for this 100-mile bike race that'll take place on Saturday over in Wichita Falls, Texas.

I'll participate in a 1:00 webinar today from my desk here in Texarkana on transparency featuring members of the award-winning team that has increased transparency to the Tennessee General Assembly, which broadcasts its legislative proceedings and has a site dedicated to open government.

Little River County Fair

Friday afternoon on the trail:



-- Post From My iPhone

Tax free holiday begins today across State Line Avenue

Texarkana's tax-free weekend began at 12:01 a.m. this morning -- Texas-side only, of course. The Texarkana Gazette editorializes about the tax free "back to school" holiday. It's big business down here -- the interstate access roads normally become parking lots after the shopping and strip mall parking lots fill up. It'll be interesting to see how the retailers do this year.

Lafayette County Jail Grand Opening

Just two years ago this week, I attended the groundbreaking of the new Lafayette County Jail in Lewisville (pictured right is the ceremonial turning of the dirt -- that's Rep. Bruce Maloch on the left). Lafayette County Judge Frank Scroggins, Sheriff Victor Rose, and members of the quorum court held a grand opening and open house this morning of the new facility. Here's a blurry picture of the ribbon cutting in front of the new jail (the humidity got to my lens):

I'm on the campaign trail for the rest of the day in Little River and Sevier counties.

First day of Pre-K

Time flies. Camille tried to fake illness on her first day of pre-k this morning. It's gonna be a long 14 years of pushing her out the door. Arkansas-side starts today, and Texas-side goes back Monday. I've put the last couple of "first day" pictures over to the right. She's getting the hang of it.

The Texarkana Arkansas School District has hired Frank Coleman as its business manager. He's the former president of Texarkana College and has been helping the district with the stimulus funds that will be coming to the district.

Catching up

I spent the last three days out of the office, so I'm playing catch up today. It was worth it, though -- rode around the lake on Saturday (that's Chimney Rock to the near right, a rock formation on Lake Greeson that looks like it'll fall anyday) and rode 70 miles on Sunday in the Texas heat in preparation for the Hotter'n Hell 100 mile bike race in Wichita Falls in two weeks.

I'm spending this afternoon trying to help both Arkansas and Texas medical providers navigate the maze of Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements from the other state. If this is their way of voicing an unfavorable opinion on health insurance reform to their state legislator, then point well taken.

Funding critical transportation needs in a struggling economy

Here I am giving an Arkansas perspective on transportation and infrastructure at the 12th Annual Transportation Summit today in Irving. It's good to hear that other states are also struggling to meet even the most critical of transportation needs. With a flat, dedicated fuel tax that has largely remained stagnant over the last few decades, states are finding it next to impossible to even maintain what we have, much less find the matching funds for new insterstate construction. Politically, legislatures have shown an unwillingness to look at alternative funding mechanisms in the current climate, but here in Arkansas, a blue ribbon committee has been convened to do just that. Other states are doing the same. In Texas, they've considered local options to allow locales to fund the bulk of transportation revenue with the state merely supplementing, but that would set up a system of winners and losers.

Up next is U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Update (Sat.): Here's an article on the summit from the Texas political blog The Lone Star Report.

-- Post From My iPhone

Friday: International Transportation and Infrastructure Summit in Irving, Texas

I'm up and out of here by 4:00 a.m. to get through the Dallas rush hour traffic and into Irving by 8:00 a.m. to sit on a panel at the 12th Annual Transportation and Infrastructure Summit. I'll be on the panel with eight Texas legislators to discuss the importance of transportation to our respective states and strategies to sustain and grow the American economy through sound transportation policies. After our panel, there will be other discussions on high speed rail, HOV lanes, reliever airports, and tollways before U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison gives the keynote address. I'll blog the event as I'm able.

TASD unveils plans for stimulus funds

The Texarkana Arkansas School District held a Stimulus Plan Community Meeting tonight at Arkansas High School. The public was invited to provide input and weigh in on the plans to spend the roughly $8.5 million in stimulus revenue, which will soon be debated by the school board then submitted to the state for approval. There are some pretty tight restrictions for the spending of the revenue, and among the proposals include $2 million for a remodel of the older portion of the high school, $1.6 million in an upgrade of the district's technology and electrical infrastructure, and $200,000 for an improvement specialist (for two years). Here's Superintendent Russell Sapaugh answering questions about the draft distributed at the meeting.

Texarkana roundtable discussion on health care with Mike Ross

About 60 to 80 attended a health care roundtable with Congressman Mike Ross this afternoon at St. Michael Hospital in Texarkana, Texas. It was attended by physicians, hospital administrators, local businessmen, and others interest in the debate. The congressman hit the high notes of the issue and stated that he won't support a bill that (1) is a government-run, single-payer system, (2) isn't deficit-neutral, and (3) that funds health care for illegal immigrants or uses public funds to provide abortions.

He mentioned that the current system is not sustainable. In the last ten years, premiums have doubled the rate of income, and whereas then, the average family spent 7% of its budget on health care, the average family spends 17% of its budget on health care now. It was clear that while most in the audience agree that something needs to be done to the current system, they are against the bulk of the current proposals currently floating around the halls of Congress.

Congressman Ross fielded questions on all sorts of issues, and one in particular dealt with the ability to shop for insurance policies across state lines. He's afraid that such an idea could lead to a federal insurance commissioner, since each insurer is responsible for complying with state law/regs under each state's insurance department/commissioner. One House version also regulates insurers to keep from using pre-existing injuries as a basis for a higher rate -- only a couple of factors could be used (age, tobacco use, etc). It also requires 85% of premium payments to go to medical providers. Ross states that now, more than half goes towards executive pay, advertising, marketing, etc. Most physicians in attendance were concerned with an extra layer of bureaucracy that would inevitably accompany reform. Overall, it was a good (and calm) discussion on the finer points of health care and health insurance reform. He has a telephone town hall scheduled for tonight and a town hall scheduled for tomorrow at Henderson State in Arkadelphia.

I'll be on KARK at 7:15 tonight to discuss today's roundtable.

Ribbon cutting

While we've had some big hits with large employers cutting back or closing plants altogether, we're continuing to see small businesses opening here locally. Here's a ribbon cutting from Jake Hambleton's new State Farm office on Arkansas Blvd. here in Texarkana today.

Unfortunately, after this event, I had to go and listen to an update on idling of the Alcoa plant. The remainder of the salaried employees (except for a handful) will be laid off tomorrow.

From the mailbag

As you might imagine, even though I don't have a vote on the healthcare debate in Washington, many area residents think I do. I'm probably receiving a half dozen calls and e-mails each day on the issue. Here's the latest:

I have worked at ******* for 10 years now. Three years ago my husband had to have [surgery] and was placed on Plavix. Now my [employer's insurance] has decided to stop paying for Plavix, Crestor and a number of other name brand drugs. We had very little warning. A lot of people work just for the health care and now it will not provide what they need.

Plavix will cost me $170 a month, but he has to have it. The only way we can see to be able to keep buying his medication is if we both stop taking other medication we need.

Now the government is talking socialized medicine. Yeah right. If the government keeps chopping away at the working class Americans, who will survive to keep paying for all this crap?

NOT HAPPY VOTER!

As an outside observer, all I see from the first two paragraphs is a family who desperately needs help with the costs of healthcare. When you put in 40 hours per week simply for health care, something's not right, and if anyone could sympathize with the argument that the current model is not sustainable, it should be her. When the national Dems are losing families like this, it ain't a good sign.

Ross to host healthcare roundtable discussion in Texarkana today

Congressman Mike Ross will host a roundtable discussion and listening session on the topic of health care today in Texarkana. I'll attend, as will other local representatives from the small business, health care and manufacturing industries in southwestern Arkansas. Follow me on Twitter for the 2:00 event. Elsewhere today, I'll be attending a ribbon cutting on the Arkansas-side and an event on the Texas-side for manufacturer Alcoa, which is in the process of idling its plant. Tonight, the Texarkana Arkansas School District will hold a Stimulus Plan Community Meeting at 7 p.m. at Arkansas High School.

Elsewhere today, Governor Mike Beebe will join U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Cathy Zoi on a tour of the old Dillard's building on West Capitol in Little Rock, which is being renovated to become State agency offices. U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln will meet with Arkansans at events in Springdale, Hot Springs, Benton, and Little Rock today.

Governor Beebe: 78% approval rating; Legislature receives 58% approval rating

Roby Brock has released some polling data this morning. The governor tops the list with a 78% approval rating. The legislature didn't fare all that bad (almost 2-to-1 favorability), considering faceless legislative bodies normally poll in very low numbers:

Do you approve or disapprove of the job the Arkansas State Legislature is doing:

Strongly Approve: 8%
Somewhat Approve: 50%
Somewhat Disapprove: 20%
Strongly Disapprove: 11%
Don't Know: 11%

Here's the complete poll.

New York Marathon

I'm dragging around the office and on the blog this week since I began training for the New York Marathon on Monday. It'll take me a week or two to get back in that kind of shape, and it's sure taking its toll this week. I'm running this particular marathon on November 1 with "Fred's Team" in an effort to raise awareness (and money) for prostate cancer. Fred's Team is named for Fred Lebow, running legend and creator of the New York City Marathon, who died of cancer.

I know of no better cause than helping obtain a cure for cancer, and I've chosen for my funds to be focused primarily on prostate cancer research since I serve on the board of directors of the Arkansas Prostate Foundation Board. I know that any challenge I face in competing in this marathon is put into perspective when I consider what those with cancer face every day. If you want to help my cause, you can donate online, and it will help me reach my goal prior to the November 1 race. I'm trying to run a 3:30:00, which would be my personal marathon record.

Association of Arkansas Counties annual conference

Legislative meetings are taking place in Springdale today and tomorrow in conjunction with the AAC's annual convention. Local county officials attending the conference include Miller County Judge Roy John McNatt, Sheriff Ron Stovall, Assessor Mary Stuart, Circuit Clerk Mary Pankey, and County Clerk Ann Nicholas.

“Jobs for Arkansas” Business Aviation Forum

Sen. Blanche Lincoln will join Governor Beebe, Senator Pryor, Dassault Falcon Jet employees, and other community and business leaders to discuss the importance of Arkansas’s aviation industry in Little Rock this morning out at the Dassault Falcon Jet Company. Afterwards, the governor is headed over to Van Buren and Fort Smith to host two Arkansas Works Summit education meetings.

Opportunities, Inc. 21st Annual Invitational Golf Tournament

I made it back from Grady in time for the awards banquet from today's invitational golf tournament at the Texarkana Country Club. The tournament benefits Opportunities, Inc., which provides developmental and support services to children and adults in the Texarkana region. Here I am with Bill Rogers, winner of the 1981 British Open. Rogers previously called Texarkana home. Sen. David Pryor also attended today's tournament.

Joint legislative committees meet at Cummins Unit

I'm leaving out at 6:30 in the morning and am picking up Rep. Bubba Powers in Hope and Rep. Randy Stewart at Exit 73 in Arkadelphia on the way to the Cummins Unit in Grady. The Joint Interim Committees on Judiciary, State Agencies, and Joint Performance Review will hear from Board of Corrections Chairman Benny Magness, ADC Director Larry Norris, Cummins Unit Warden Gaylon Lay, Sheriff Ken Jones, and Wendy Kelly about recent events and changes within the ADC before touring the Cummins Unit facility. I have to check my iPhone at the entrance, so I won't be able to post anything from the legislative meeting.

Elsewhere around the state, Lottery Director Ernie Passailaigue is speaking to the Political Animals Club of Northwest Arkansas in the morning. Governor Beebe will host a news conference regarding ARRA higher-education funds at 11:00 a.m. in the Governor's Conference Room at the Capitol.

Update: Phones are allowed here at the meeting. We're now hearing from Chairman Magness.

Clark County Clinton Day Dinner

There was another full house at Henderson State University last night in Arkadelphia for the annual Clinton Day Dinner. Many elected officials and candidates were in attendance, including all three candidates for the open seat on the Arkansas Supreme Court, all three announced Democratic candidates for Secretary State, Rep. Monty Davenport, who's running for Land Commissioner, about 20 legislators, and several others. The three local legislators -- Sen. Percy Malone, Rep. Johnnie Roebuck and Rep. Randy Stewart -- all made remarks as well, as did DPA Chair Todd Turner. Most of the elected county and municipal officials from Clark and Pike Counties were in attendance.

Former Rep. Tommy Roebuck was named Democrat of the Year, and Heather Smith of Texarkana was named Young Democrat of the Year. House Speaker Robbie Wills gave the keynote address. Rep. Bruce Maloch (right) auctioned off a few items to help raise money for the local Democratic club. Here are a few other pics:


Governor Beebe makes a few remarks, Heather Smith of Texarkana receives YD Award

Speaker Robbie Wills gives the keynote address

Watermelon Festival

I'm back at the Watermelon Festival in Hope for the third time today. I ran the 5K this morning, then came back for the watermelon eating contest, political division (Hope Vice Mayor David "DJ" Johnson took the title home again), then came back after a brief luncheon at UACCH courtesy of Chancellor Chris Thomason.

Here are a few pictures, beginning with me with my game face on midway through the contest (right). I'm off to Arkadelphia for the Clark County Clinton Day Dinner at Henderson State this evening. Speaker Robbie Wills will be the keynote speaker there tonight.



Davenport, McDaniel, Ross, Beebe, Halter

With Judge Courtney Henry and Senator Larry Teague

The Governor with the Champ


Luncheon at UACCH

Crowds

Prior to the 5K this morning

Ask the governor at 9:00 a.m.

Tune in to KARN at 9:00 a.m. this morning (now) for the monthly "Ask the governor" radio show (102.9 FM, 920 AM in central Arkansas). You can click here to listen online.

A 'recovering congressman'

Ben Jones, whose fame came as the mechanic Cooter on the popular tv-series, "The Dukes of Hazzard," spoke last night at the Arkansas Municipal Police Assocation's annual convention here in Texarkana. Jones, a recovering alcoholic, served two terms in the U.S. House from Georgia as a Democrat prior to a redistricting that removed a seat in that state -- same thing happened to my grandfather -- the guy with the lowest seniority gets the boot. He later challenged Newt Gingrich and lost and later even challenged Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Virginia) and lost. He referred to himself as a "recovering congressman."

On one of his nights back in the 70s outside of a bar in Augusta, Georgia, he was cited for "failure to move on* ," a citation that summed up his life at the time, he said. Shortly after he sobered up for good, he auditioned for the part on the Dukes, which sought a "goold old boy, redneck mechanic." After showing up, their first words were "this is our guy right here." On Daisy Duke: "She could make a bulldog break his chain." Here he is singing Johnny B. Goode with the band at the Elk's Lodge:


*- The 2nd best name for a citation I've ever heard. While studying for the Louisiana bar exam at LSU, I heard another student tell of a friend in southern Louisiana who got a ticket for violating the "hooting and hollering" ordinance. Thank goodness that didn't show up on the bar exam down there.