Rural sourcing to Arkansas

Here's a CNN Money article about "rural sourcing" -- sending employment opportunities to job hungry places in America rather than India -- with an emphasis on Jonesboro, Arkansas. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have skilled, low-cost labor that actually can compete with places like India and China, but broadband internet, increased infrastructure, etc., makes Arkansas a prime candidate for this trend. Good read.

Special election set for House District 21

Governor Beebe has set a special election for the open seat being vacated by Rep. Steve Cole, who resigned on June 30 to become chancellor of Cossatot Community College of the UofA. My first cousin Nate Steel won the primary for the seat and will take office in January with no Republican challenger.

Of course, he'd like to become the representative of the seat now to hit the ground running -- and it certainly wouldn't hurt seniority wise. The governor set the election for October 12. Political party nominees will be chosen by convention. The person elected to fill the vacancy shall serve the remainder of the present term of office, which ends in January. The deadline for party conventions to select nominees shall be August 6, 2010; the deadline for parties to submit certificates of nomination shall be August 9; 2010; party candidates shall file certificates of nomination with the Secretary of State on or before August 13, 2010.

States’ cumulative budget shortfall likely to reach $140 billion

Here's a link to a recent study on state budgets by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. States are likely to see the largest shortfall yet in this recession, and closing this gap in many states will have severe effects on services and jobs.

Local perspective on Kagan confirmation hearings

Here's video of UALR Law School Dean John DiPippa discussing the Kagan confirmation on Today's THV

Hello, July

I'm back after a brriief hiatus to get elected to the Senate and to take some time to get caught up here at the office. Thanks for waiting patiently, and I'm eager to join the Arkansas blog scene again.