Morning Roll Call~ News You Need to Know

Arkansas Contingent Step to the Plate

The Arkansas Democrat Gazette is reporting this morning on the assignments that our Congressmen are lining up for as they invade Washington.

Third Congressional U.S. Rep.-elect Steve Womack will be on the House Appropriations Committee, way to go!

Womack was quoted in the story as saying “Appropriations is now more about getting control of spending than bringing home the bacon,” “We get it” Here’s to believing they do!

Second Congressional U.S Rep.-elect Tim Griffin “will take a seat on the House Armed Services Committee - where his 2nd District predecessor Vic Snyder served - and on the House Judiciary Committee.”

First Congressional U.S. Rep-elect Rick Crawford landed on the House Agriculture and Transportation committees.

Crawford sent a warning shot across the bow letting people back in his district know they “need to be prepared, that it’s very likely we will not see any more direct payments” to farmers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

According to the article Fourth District Congressman Mike Ross will not get his assignment till later in the month.

As far as our Senators are concerned, the article stated, Mark Pryor will be returning to his prior commitments and John Boozman will be on the Senate Agriculture Committee with other assignments pending.

I hope that Arkansans will be as involved in the coming months making sure they communicate with our elected officials as we were during the election cycle. Our Congressmen, along with all our elected officials, will need our respectful communication in order to serve us properly.

Big Changes coming to Arkansas Children’s Healthcare Program?

Well if Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families has it their way it will. (Before you go callin me a hate mongering conservative, you should know that I am pro-child, and believe it IS the duty of the community and the Church to take care of those families and children that are struggling.)

AACF is upset (http://ow.ly/3xmoj) that Arkansas missed out on millions of government dollars  last week. I am sure AACF has good intentions, people with wonderful hearts wanting to help others and ideas that would benefit those they have chosen to advocate.

The article says:

This week, 15 states received more than $200 million in bonuses for enrolling eligible children in Medicaid.  Roughly two-thirds of uninsured children nationally are eligible for Medicaid, which is also the case here in Arkansas. 

The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization (CHIPRA) of 2009 included these bonuses for states that significantly increased enrollment among already-eligible kids.   This year states received between $2.6 million (Kansas) and $55 million (Alabama). 

Anything strike you as particularly odd about bonuses for “increased enrollment” incentives for government programs? Just sayin.

Does anyone know the criteria for being enrolled?

Well hopefully someone will figure all this out because come Monday, January 10^th AACF will be at the door step of our legislators lobbying for their cause and our money.

The 2010 session would be a good time to make these changes to cut the red tape in ARKids First.  States that have changes up and running by April 1 would be in the running for next year's round of bonuses. 

  

Little Rock Running Short on Funds~

Members of the Little Rock City Board of Directors say they may have a budget in place for 2011 but it's pretty stark. And in the new year they'll have to look for some new ways to bring in money, possibly a sales tax increase. The re-elected members joined the mayor and the newest member of the city board in taking the oath of office today and looking toward what 2011 holds. Read more…

States, Counties and municipalities all over our country are beginning to reap the financial bedlam of their frivolous spending habits from years past. Tax payers would love for bygones to be bygones but unfortunately there are natural laws in place that are not so easily circumvented.

To get out you have to increase revenue, the only way public entities can do that is raise taxes, or cut spending, which means lower wages, loss of jobs, more work and less gadgets. Simple?

We as tax payers can come alongside and offer help by thinking outside the box. For example: What is it that my family is costing the tax payers?

Anyone who has ever gotten themselves in the financial mess of over expending credit can tell you that climbing out of that hole is not nearly as easy or seemingly fun as getting into it, but once out, they NEVER wanna be there again.

I say we resolve to making every effort to once again empower ourselves, privatize as many public services as possible and demand our leaders tow a financial responsible line~

A town of nearly 90k people in Georgia did it, why can’t we?  http://ow.ly/3xo76

The only city we have in our entire state over 90K is Little Rock according to The U.S Census Bureau

 

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@Region8News

Midwest survey suggests continued economic growth http://bit.ly/f7ajt2

Church services held in AR town hit by #tornadohttp://bit.ly/fkDOkU

 @RobyBrock

Talk Business' Monday Morning Briefing reviews the past week's big stories. Read here and sign up 4 free email! http://conta.cc/eTXgfk

@ArkansasOnline

 Educator: Directive on school buses too wordy: A state education official says a new Arkansas school bus safety ... http://bit.ly/haUfCe

Dead-bird count passes 2,000: About 2,000 to 3,000 dead birds that fell from the sky on New Year’s Eve in Beebe ... http://bit.ly/gYbY2h

New Year’s Day flops add to Buckeyes’ burden: Ohio State will carry a tattered Big Ten banner into Tuesday night... http://bit.ly/hEmxX0

FCC tackles huge cell bills of data users: It’s been dubbed cell phone “bill shock,” and it’s clear why: A woman... http://bit.ly/e5dwoh

Morning Roll Call~ News You Need to Know

No time to “editorialize” this morning (LOL might be best anyway) but these are stories that I thought you wouldn’t want to miss~ All of these stories are taken directly from the source.

1969 Sugar Bowl No. 9 Arkansas 16, No. 4 Georgia 2

After a five-year absence, a span that included two Cotton Bowl berths and a national championship, the Razorbacks were back in New Orleans to play in the 1969 Sugar Bowl.

Arkansas leaned on the passing combination of quarterback Bill Montgomery and split end Chuck Dicus, as well as a stingy defense, to beat coach Vince Dooley and Georgia. Read more…

WOMACK ASKED TO JOIN "WHIP TEAM" 

U.S. Rep.-elect Steve Womack, R-Rogers, continues to add to his Congressional responsibilities.

Womack was asked Thursday (Dec. 30) by U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., if he would serve as a member of the exclusive whip team. McCarthy will be the House GOP whip during the next Congress, which makes him the No. 3 Republican leader in the House. Read more…

Dead blackbirds fall in Beebe on New Year's Eve

  

BEEBE, AR  – Ringing in the New Year took on a different meaning for the citizens of Beebe. Beginning at around 11:30pm, enforcement officers with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission began getting reports of dead black birds falling from the sky in the city limits of Beebe.

Dick Baxter with the Game and Fish Commission estimates that 2000-2500 birds fell out of the sky over the city. Most of the birds were dead, but some were still alive when officers arrived. Three different types of blackbirds fell over a one-mile area in the city.  Read more…

Nelson expects to seek initiated act for severance tax hike

Facing disappointing returns from the newly increased state severance tax and bad prospects for another hike by the Legislature, Sheffield Nelson is gearing for a possible drive to put the matter to a public vote in 2012.

Nelson, a former gas company executive and gubernatorial candidate, wants to raise the levy on the natural gas exploration companies extract in the state to 7 percent — the same as he proposed three years ago before deferring to Gov. Mike Beebe, who successfully pushed a 5 percent hike in an April 2008 special session.

Industry officials, who cautioned prior to the 2008 increase that raising the severance tax would slow investments in new exploration in the state, were reserved in comments about Nelson’s talk of the need for a new tax hike.

Read More…

Vexation over public employee unions rises 

(This story appears in the NWA Times and to read the entire story you must have a paid subscription)

Across the nation, a rising irritation with public employee unions is palpable, as a wounded economy has blown gaping holes in state, city and town budgets and revealed that some public pension funds dangle perilously close to bankruptcy.

In California, New York, Michigan and New Jersey, states where public unions wield much power and the culture historically tends to be pro-labor, even longtime liberal political leaders have demanded concessions - wage freezes, benefit cuts and tougher work rules.

It is an angry conversation. Union chiefs, who sometimes persuaded members to take pension sweeteners in lieu of raises, are loath to surrender ground. Read more…

 

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New school looms large in county: As workers prepare to lay floor tiles in wide-open corridors, mud drywall and ... http://bit.ly/fIzMcf

Town begins picking up pieces: With the help of volunteers, residents of a small Arkansas community ripped apart... http://bit.ly/hWFe4M

Baby boomers in retirement-cash crisis: Through a combination of procrastination and bad timing, many baby boome... http://bit.ly/eS8gkr

@NWARobbie

Today's Sugar Bowl notebook: Jerico Nelson happy at home, Jake Bequette looks into NFL, Terrelle Pryor speaks out — http://bit.ly/ePrX9x

Today's story: QBs Ryan Mallett and Terrelle Pryor, early season Heisman hopefuls, bringing star power to Sugar Bowl — http://bit.ly/hYllQL

@Arkansasbuzztap

RazorBloggers >> Bowl Predictions — Ohio Statehttp://buzztap.com/-83rFm0

Arkansas Razorbacks (Official Site) >> Pep rallies set for Allstate Sugar Bowl http://buzztap.com/-3u6p9F

@HuntingNfishing

More Than 1000 Dead Birds Fall From Sky In Arkansas - WFMY News 2 http://goo.gl/fb/3IRhO

Happy New Year 2011~ God's Speed~

Today’s events in Northwest Arkansas changed the direction of my New Year’s blog post a smidge.  I’d planned to list the things I learned in 2010 and how I hoped to apply that knowledge for personal changes in my life during 2011.

Being awakened by gale force winds, sirens and news flashes that people just miles away had just lost their lives, has a tendency to alter one’s perspective. It's a little more real.

As you read mine please add your own. Here’s mine:

God is good ALL the time, regardless of what happens to me personally, He is sovereign and is plan is perfect. 

Prayer is highly underestimated.

Being prepared for the unexpected but probable is paramount; whether it is weather related, family, self-imposed or caused by others.

It’s wise to know who my true friends are. It’s wise to know my strengths and weaknesses well. Prayer is highly underestimated.

Always live within my means. 

Stuff is just that – stuff. Stick to the basics because they make me happier.

The less I have the more it does.

I need to stay informed~ Readers are Leaders  

Community is essential to life.

If not me, who? If not now, when? 

Always listen to that quiet, still voice inside and react accordingly

Experts are mostly self proclaimed aggrandizers, or people who others need to be there for their own ends.

I can’t change anyone, nor should I try. I can be sure I have my facts right, and be an example to others.

Truth is not subjective. 

Cliché’s are repeated for a reason.

Anything worth having MUST be worked for.

My word is more valuable than anything else I will ever have. 

Words are powerful. In the beginning was the Word. They easily wound others, sometimes forever. 

Right is not always legal and legal is not always right.

Relationships require work, often hard work, yet worth every resulting tear. 

Prayer is highly underestimated.

My children watch me more than they listen to me and what they see matters the most. 

People crave relationships. 

No one has it all figured out, not even close. 

Everyone struggles and needs friends. 

Every passing face on the street represents a story as compelling and complicated as my own. 

People can be hard to love and even harder to like. 

Humor at others expense is mean rather than funny. 

People armed with facts don’t get angry and those with conviction hate violence.

Humans cannot destroy the planet but we can make it a horrendous place to live. And we are

Prayer is underestimated. 

Debt is an evil that eagerly devours souls. 

Helping people is messy business but the rewards are eternal.

Most of what we see is only the impression of what we believe we see. 

Ignorant people are easily manipulated, effortlessly frightened and therefore follow those who only APPEAR to be knowledgeable and valiant. 

Knowledge is power.

Pray like it depends on God and work like it depends on you. 

Everyone you meet is better than you at something. 

Comfort is an addiction in this world that wrecks dreams and breaks people

I am not the center of God’s Universe, He is.

Everyone is a hypocrite. 

Things are never as bad or as good as I think they will be. 

Nature is a natural sedative. 

Work smart, not just hard. 

Time is a treasure; we never know how much we have. To waste it is unconscionable.

Everyone has a purpose

Car time is the best time with my kids, everyone grows closer. 

Prayer is highly underestimated  

I need always to put relationships over rules

GOD IS IN CONTROL

These are the top 50 things that I either learned or were reinforced in my life throughout 2010:
    To apply my knowledge I am embarking on a life altering quest in 2011 which I am calling “The Intentional Interactive Existence.”
   Taking my 5 top priorities in life: God, Family, Friends, Community and Job and breaking them down as simply as possible so that I can make a concerted effort to become a more faithful servant, devoted wife, blessing to my children, authentic friend, helpful neighbor and diligent worker.
    Each week over the next five weeks I am going to journal about my quest and I invite you to share with me, and others that might be reading this blog, things that are helpful.  Books you may have read, people you’ve talked with, experiences you’ve had, etc. It all counts in growing the mind and spirit.
   I truly believe that we are a people who need each other and my prayer and desire of my heart is to help be a catalyst to build stronger families and communities, starting with my own.
     My first step is to examine my relationship with God. I desire to have a more intimate relationship with the Creator of the universe. I will accomplish this through spending more time intentionally getting to know Him by

1)    Prayer

2)    Reading the Word

3)    Spending time with people of faith,

4)   Glorifying Him by gracefully spreading His message through my words, actions and deeds.

 Step 2 in my quest will be Family, followed by friends, community and job.

Time to help Neighbors

Crazee Weather in NWA

This morning around 5:30 Mike and I woke up to a tornado warning in our area. The rain was torrential and the swift winds blustered about, tossing stuff everywhere.

We jumped up (well as fast as two older people half asleep could) grab the emergency radio, flashlight (the electricity was off) and dashed down the stairs to the awaiting concerned pack of Masterson pooches.

Freckles, our Australian Shepherd and Allie, Bichon Frise, were no trouble getting to the basement. Max, the 90lbs Golden Retriever puppy, however was a different story. After much persuading with yummy snacks he finally conceded to join the family in safety.

We took cover for nearly 30min, until we received the all clear. Trudged back up the stairs with the brood of hounds and the “emergency” paraphernalia we had gathers.

About the time I found the stove top coffee maker, got it set up and turned on the electricity blinked back on.

Others in our community did not fare as well at least three people were killed in Cincinnati as this line of storms moved into Northwest Arkansas, knocking out power and closing the regional airport. Lots of injuries were reported, as well as widespread damage.

Please keep our friends and neighbors in your prayers and let’s keep our  ears open as to how we can come alongside those families affected by this event.

Morning Roll Call~ News You Need to Know

I know it is not morning but there are a few stories that need highlighting. Although things are still moving a little slow in the political realm (it could still just be me), I anticipate come Monday things will begin to warm up in preparation for opening day January 10th. 

Double Dribble or Dipper? 

Michael Wickline wrote an article today in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette that should cause pause for all Arkansans, especially those in District 54.

Fred Smith, State Rep.-elect (D-Crawfordsville) for district 54 and a former Harlem Globetrotter, faces a charge of felony theft and a complaint filed by Willie Gammon, Smith’s former opponent in the Nov 2^nd election, with the state Claims Commission alleging that Smith does not meet the residency requirements for office.

According to the article Mr. Smith has been charged with “theft of property delivered by mistake, after a Division of Legislative Audit in a review of the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2007, found the Dermott Special School District issued a duplicate payment of $29,250 to Smith’s nonprofit group, Save Our Kids, using federal Title 1 grant funds and both payments were cashed.”

When asked about the charges Smith was quoted as saying “I am not aware of the charges. ... I don’t know what you are talking about, to be honest with you.” I find that extremely unlikely since he was on trial on November 22 by Circuit Judge Sam Pope, who has yet to hand down a verdict.

Gammon alleges that Smith has lived in Walls, Miss. for the last several years therefore he is not eligible  to serve in the Arkansas legislature.

According to the Arkansas Constitution a  person "convicted of embezzlement  of public money, bribery, forgery or other crime" is not eligible to serve in the state legislature but evidentially the House of Representatives has some discretion in these matters.

If convicted of either I would say the people of Arkansas have some voice in this matter~

The Daily Journal has more on the story here~ http://ow.ly/3wlIF

  

Arkansas’s Historical 2010 Political Year in Review~  

“It was a banner year for political headlines in Arkansas. Retirements of veteran lawmakers, heated and crowded primaries, and some hotly contested general elections turned the state's political establishment on its head.  Several of 2010's storylines are likely to bleed into 2011.”

TalkBusiness.net has become for me a wonderful source of news happening in Arkansas. Here is their assessment of 2010 Top Political News Stories. I encourage you to visit their site frequently and follow them on twitter and facebook.

 

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Arkansas lottery scholarship awards could be cuthttp://bit.ly/hfKmQE

Chrysler recalling trucks and SUVs http://bit.ly/eVRPUe

@ArkTimes 

Our list of NYE events: http://ow.ly/3wfSu

@TimesRecord

Fort Smith area New Year's Eve happenings:http://ow.ly/3qhTL

SPORTS: Sugar Bowl Preview — UA tackle DeMarcus Love focused on Buckeyes http://ow.ly/3wafu