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Friday, January 21, 2011
Morning Roll Call~ News You Need to Know (okay afternoon)
Can't believe it is nearly 6pm on Friday, the day has flown by. I started two or three different post but am waiting on calls and emails. There was no session today but here are a few tweets of interest~
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Morning Roll Call~
Live Streaming Up and Running
What I would call another win for Arkansans. Kudos to the majority of men and women of the Arkansas 88th General Assembly for sending a clear message to Arkansans that the tide has definitely turned. As of today you can watch the majority of Arkansas House Committees via live streaming. At 10am the Public Health, Labor & Welfare Committee along with the Revenue and Taxation Committee will be available to all.
It is my understanding that all committee meetings with live streaming capability will be streaming.
This is a GREAT example of representative governing. The electorate communicates their wants, needs and desires and our elected leaders represent those stances.
Look at what we can accomplish together!
Pay Raises?
From the Log Cabin Democrat: Ark. House to take up elected officials' pay
“The Arkansas House is taking up a measure that will keep the state's elected officials' pay flat for the coming year after a panel stripped out raises for judges and prosecutors.
The House is scheduled to vote Thursday on the proposed General Appropriation Act, which sets funding levels for the executive, legislative and judicial branches. The Joint Budget Committee recommended passage of the measure after its members rejected cost-of-living raises for judges and prosecutors.”
It is flying around that a 1.86% raise is being considered for government employees, now is the time to contact your legislators with your thoughts.
The Nanny State Moves to IncreaseThis tweet came across last night: “#ARLeg B/c this session wasn't going to be spicy enough: Advocates eye extension of smoking ban. http://bit.ly/em8gGI”
Obviously Arkansas business owners need a little more regulation pushed upon on them. It isn’t enough that they are taxed to death with one of the highest business tax rates in the nation (Arkansas ranks 39th in the Tax Foundation's State Business Tax Climate Index) now we must encumber them even more with Nanny State oversight.
For those of you how think Mike Huckabee is a limited government, fiscal conservative I encourage you to do a little research. It was Governor Huckabee that massively increased Arkansas government size and scope. The Arkansas Leader reported that Huckabee raised taxes more in 10yrs than Clinton did in 12.
So it is no surprise that Gov. Huckabee is the one responsible for the Arkansas Clean Indoor Air Act.
I encourage you to contact your legislators and give them your feedback on this issue.
Ever feel like that frog in the boiling water?
There's a New Boss in Town...Maybe
It’s no news that the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is in the news. That has been a rather common occurrence as of late. From autogate, to former member Sheffield Nelson’s queries, to land swaps, birdocalypse , and the appointment of a new Commissioner.
Now Senator Jeremy Hutchinson has filed SJR2, a potential constitutional amendment that would put more legislative control on the Arkansas Highway Commission, Game and Fish Commission, institutions of higher education and provide more legislative control over the state lottery. Ultimately it would be put to a vote in the 2012 election and then if passed amended to the Arkansas Constitution.
To read more go to Talk Business here.
To read more go to Talk Business here.
In this feed you will find links to more news across our state!
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Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Morning Roll Call~ News You Need to Know (okay afternoon)
Live Streaming Flowing
It seems that many of the committees with the ability to live stream will be doing so, yesterday, the House Revenue and Tax Committee and House Public Health Committee voted to allow live-streaming and today the House Agriculture and Economic Development Committees along with the House State Agencies Committee voted to allow it as well. House Education Committee chair Rep. Eddie Cheatham told Talk Business that his committee will live-stream its proceedings.
The House Judiciary Committee has yet to consider the matter and House transportation committee won't live stream since Big Mac bldg isn't set up for it.
Also in that Talk Business story the changing of Arkansas’ nickname change was addressed, for more on that see the live streaming that was provided by Tolbert Report:
Bill Activity
Lots going on down at the Capitol, today January 19, 2011, HB1014, The Nick Bacon Remembrance Act passed out of Committee. Pay raises for judges and prosecutors was removed from General Appropriation bill by Joint Budget Comm.
A separate issue is evidently on the way to increase state employees pay by 1.86%.
For more information on bill activity visit these websites: http://www.arkansashouse.org/bills or this http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Pages/Home.aspx.
Where to Draw the Lines
The debate of redistricting is in full swing. Yesterday Teresa Oelke, Americans For Prosperity Executive Director for Arkansas, tweeted from the debate: “Senator Robert Thompson on redistricting saying "one man one vote" as much art as science"! Can you say Gerrymander? “
Roby Brock, with Talk Business was in attendance as well and posted this story: CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING COULD INVOLVE SPLITTING COUNTIES. Later in the day Jason Tolbert posted this: Video: Baker Pushes to Speed Up Redistricting Process
Arkansas Healthcare Debate
This is an email I received from Rep. David Meeks concerning his Healthcare Freedom Act bill
It was good seeing you at the "We Vote" rally at the Capital. I can't tell you how much it means to me as a legislator to see you staying engaged!
As I mentioned, HB1053, The Healthcare Freedom Act will be heard by the Public Health Committee on Tuesday January 25th. The Committee meets at 10am in Room 130.
Here is a link to the bill: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB1053
The main focus of this bill is the individual mandate. The message is simple: We don't believe that Arkansans should be forced to purchase health insurance.
I hope you will encourage those you know to contact their representative and support this bill, but please ask them to stay with the focus and the message.
Here is a link to all the members of the committee:
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Pages/CommitteeDetail.aspx?committeecode=830
For those that can make it down to the Capital next Tuesday morning. Please do! Normally there is a time period given for people to speak either for the bill or against the bill and I would love to have a room full of people who are willing to speak for the bill.
Thank you again for all you are doing! May God Bless you!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!
Here to Serve,
David Meeks
State Representative- District 46
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