Boot Berryism

Arkansas Democratic State Legislators Supporting Obamacare - Sign Amicus Brief To Supreme

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:55:00 +0000

Editor's note: It took only one Judas goat - former Senator Blanche Lincoln - to push Obamacare to the floor of the US Senate where it could be passed. Arkansas voters sent her packing for this and other shameful acts. But the unConstitutional Obamacare bill was passed. Now the below mentioned three liberal Arkansas Judas goats have filed an amicus brief supporting ObamaCare in they will attempt to persuade the Supreme Court that they are speaking for the majority of Arkansans and thus Arkansas support Obamacare. Lies, Deceit and Deception. Since Liberal Gov. Beebe supports Obamacare and wants Arkansas to be the first state to implement it, where is his name on this brief?

Talk is deadly when liberals file briefs and tell tales. We need action by conservative elected officials right now to in large numbers to file briefs and to speak before the Supreme Court for Arkansas. Then in the May primaries and November elections we need Arkansas voters to select Arkansas conservative patriots and to remove these liberal progressive democrats who continue smile and smirk while they pursue actions that will steal our money and our rights to property, and destroy freedom, liberty and choice for us and future generations of Arkansans.

Roebuck, Webb & Elliot Join Fight to Implement the President’s Health Care Law in Arkansas

Little Rock, Ark. – Republican Party of Arkansas Communications Director Katherine Vasilos yesterday issued the following statement in response to Democratic House Majority Leader Johnnie Roebuck, Joint Budget Committee Co-Chair Rep. Kathy Webb and former Congressional Candidate Sen. Joyce Elliot’s signing of an Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court of the United States which states that they believe Obamacare is constitutional and they “are working hard in their States to implement the Act in a timely, efficient, and effective manner”:“Do Democratic members of the General Assembly agree with their party leaders? By joining the Supreme Court brief, Majority Leader Roebuck is speaking for every Democratic member of the state House. It’s clear legislative Democrats are out of touch and are taking Leader Roebuck’s direction seriously to actively work to implement Obamacare in Arkansas. Just today, 28 Democratic legislators on the Arkansas Legislative Council voted in favor of a $462,000 federal grant to move forward with preparing our state to implement Obamacare.

“We now know why Democratic Attorney General Dustin McDaniel refused to stand up for the majority of Arkansans and join a nationwide effort to fight Obamacare – his Democratic allies in the General Assembly are standing with President Obama, not the people of Arkansas.”

Arkansas Democrats Argue Constitutionality of Obamacare in Supreme Court Brief
“Amici Curiae, a group of 518 State Legislators from all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, believe that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“the Act”) is constitutional and are working hard in their States to implement the Act in a timely, efficient, and effective manner. They have a substantial interest in having this matter resolved expeditiously and in favor of the constitutionality of the Act.” (Source: Supreme Court Brief – US Department of Health Human Services v Florida

28 Democratic Legislators Vote in Favor of Obamacare Grant
Twenty eight Democratic legislators on the Arkansas Legislative Council voted in favor of a $462,000 federal grant to move forward with preparing the state of Arkansas for a federal health insurance exchange. (Arkansas Legislative Council, Roll Call Vote: 28 Yes, 8 No, 1/20/12)

AG McDaniel Calls Obamacare Suit “Frivolous,” Says SCOTUS Will Uphold
Attorney General Dustin McDaniel’s Office: “It is our belief that any such lawsuit would be frivolous and would have more to do with politics than law.” (“Health care bill: Ark AG will not sue if health care bill is signed,” KTHV, 3/10/

“McDaniel said he believes the U.S. Supreme Court will uphold the law, but if it rules otherwise, he will work to ensure that Arkansas complies with the ruling.” (John Lyon, “McDaniel to Darr: State won’t sue over health care law,” Arkansas News Bureau, 12/17/10)

Tags: Arkansas, democrats, support Obamacare, amicus brief, SCOTUS

Keystone, Arkansas Jobs, and a One Term Proposition

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:39:00 +0000

By Katherine Vasilo: If you had the opportunity to create 20,000 American jobs and protect hundreds of jobs here in Arkansas, what would you do?

Seems like a no brainer to those of us who recognize our economy is struggling, our national debt is skyrocketing and the unemployment rate has remained above 8 percent for 35 consecutive months.

Unfortunately, hundreds of Arkansas jobs may now be on the chopping block thanks to President Barack Obama’s recent rejection of the Keystone XL Pipeline. At a time when the economy desperately needs to be creating jobs, the President would rather please his liberal base to save his own job.

Little Rock-based Welspun Tubular is a key manufacturer of pipeline for the Keystone project, and their President David Delie said in December that “If the project doesn’t get the required permits, most of Welspun’s 600 jobs could be suspended for a time.” This is in addition to 60 Arkansas workers who have already lost their job due to the President’s failure to approve this jobs project.

We’d like to know why state Democrats remain silent as Barack Obama’s economically destructive policies put even more Arkansans out of work. In fact, Governor Mike Beebe and Democratic members of the General Assembly won’t touch what they call a “partisan issue.” Since when did protecting Arkansas jobs become partisan?

For the sake of Arkansas and our nation, we cannot afford four more years of President Obama, who would rather put special interests ahead of getting our economy back on track.

We do agree with the President on one thing and that is when he said, “If I don’t have this done in three years, then there’s going to be a one term proposition.”

Failed policies, failed promises and failed leadership. It’s time to make Barack Obama’s one term proposition a reality.
-------------
Katherine Vasilos is the Communications Director for the Republican Party of Arkansas

Tags: Keystone, Arkansas Jobs, Barack Obama, One Term Proposition, Katherine Vasilos, RPA, Republican Party of Arkansas

Rep. Crawford: STOP SPENDING

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:37:00 +0000

Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) tells Congress it's time to stop spending.

Tags: U,S, House, Arkansas, Representative, Rick Crawford, AR-01, Stop the spending,

State Democrats Remain Silent as President Obama Kills Arkansas Jobs

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:39:00 +0000

Little Rock, Ark. – Republican Party of Arkansas Communications Director Katherine Vasilos issued the following statement in light of President Barack Obama’s expected announcement that his Administration will reject the Keystone XL pipeline project:

“Hundreds of Arkansas jobs are now on the chopping block thanks to President Obama’s failure to lead on domestic energy production and approve the Keystone pipeline,” said Vasilos. “At a time when the economy desperately needs to be creating jobs, sacrificing 600 Arkansas jobs and 20,000 American jobs for purely political motives is reckless. Yet, state Democrats remain silent as Barack Obama’s economically destructive policies put even more Arkansans out of work. While Arkansas Republicans fight for jobs, Governor Mike Beebe and Democratic members of the General Assembly won’t touch what they call a ‘partisan issue.’ Since when did protecting Arkansas jobs become partisan? For the sake of Arkansas and our nation, we cannot afford four more years of President Obama, who would rather put special interests ahead of getting our economy back on track.”

President Obama Rejects Keystone XL Pipeline
“The State Department on Wednesday will reject the Keystone XL pipeline, multiple sources following the project told POLITICO. The formal announcement is expected at 3 p.m. from Deputy Secretary of State William Burns. Although the permit would be rejected, TransCanada would still be allowed to continue to work on and pitch an alternative route through Nebraska.” (Darren Goode, "W.H. to reject Keystone XL," Politico, 1/18/11)

600 Jobs at Risk Due to the President’s Keystone Rejection
“If the project doesn’t get the required permits, most of Welspun’s 600 jobs could be suspended for a time, he added. ‘It would affect us tremendously if it is not approved,’ Delie said. ‘All this pipe we have in the yard belongs to TransCanada and ... we would be competing with them’ to sell pipe.” (Paul Quinn, "Pipeline delay prompts LR layoffs,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 12/14/11)

60 Arkansas Workers Lose Their Jobs Due to President’s Keystone Delay
“The first tangible signs of a moratorium on the Keystone XL oil pipeline project affecting Arkansas jobs has surfaced. Indian pipeline maker, Welspun Tube, which has a major North American production plant at the Little Rock Port Authority, says it will lay off 60 temporary workers due to the project’s delay.” (Roby Brock, "Welspun Says Keystone Moratorium And Steel Delay Reason For Layoffs," Talk Business, 12/13/11)

The Keystone Pipeline Will Create 20,000 Jobs
“TransCanada’s initial estimate of 20,000 - which it said includes 13,000 direct construction jobs and 7,000 jobs among supply manufacturers - has been widely quoted by lawmakers and presidential candidates.” (Juliet Eilperin and Steven Mufson, “Keystone Pipeline Battle Heating Up,” The Washington Post, 11/6/11)

GOP Legislators Pass Resolution Supporting Keystone Pipeline
“The Arkansas Legislature’s Joint Energy Committee passed a resolution yesterday which supports moving forward on building the Keystone Pipeline, which would allow oil to be transported via pipeline from Canada to refineries in Texas. The resolution was sponsored by Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe and it echoes the statements made by Congressman Tim Griffin earlier this week criticizing President Obama for delaying the pipeline project.” (Jason Tolbert, “Energy Committee Passes Resolution Supporting Keystone Pipeline,” The Tolbert Report, 11/18/11)

Democratic Governor Mike Beebe Calls Keystone XL Pipeline a “Partisan Issue”
“But governor’s spokesman Matt DeCample said while their office is obviously disappointed in the delay, they are not ready to jump into the partisan issue that they feel this has become.” (Jason Tolbert, “Beebe Office Points to September Letter of Support for Keystone Pipeline,” Talk Business, 12/14/11)

State GOP Sends Letter to Governor Beebe Urging Action on Keystone Pipeline
“Today, Republican Party of Arkansas (RPA) Chairman Doyle Webb issued a letter to Governor Mike Beebe asking that he publicly call on President Barack Obama to approve the Keystone XL pipeline in light of recent layoffs at Little Rock-based Welspun Tubular, a major manufacturer of pipeline for the Keystone project.” (Republican Party of Arkansas, Press Release, 12/15/11)

September Letter is Best Governor Beebe Can Do on Keystone Issue
“The recent announcement of layoffs by Welspun here in Arkansas due to the delay of the Keystone Pipeline along with the passage of a bill supporting moving forward with the project by the U.S. House of Representatives has pushed the issue to the forefront of Arkansas politics this week…I asked the governor’s office for a response today and they pointed me to a letter Beebe wrote to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton back in September.” (Jason Tolbert, “Beebe Office Points to September Letter of Support for Keystone Pipeline,” Talk Business, 12/14/11)

Arkansas Invested Millions in Welspun
“Welspun received a $2 million commitment from the Governor’s Quick Action Closing Fund for infrastructure costs. The company has been offered a sales-tax credit for qualifying construction materials, and a 3.9 percent tax rebate on the payroll for jobs created in the next 10 years. (“Welspun to add 230 jobs, invest $30 million Growth in LR ‘swift,’ ‘steady,’ chairman says,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 5/3/10)

Tags: Arkansas, democrats, Barack Obama, kills, jobs, RPA,

Griffin Blasted President Obama for killing Keystone XL pipeline, American jobs

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:10:00 +0000

Rep. Tim Griffin (AR-02) expressed his displeasure with President Obama killing access to American jobs.

Tags: Tim Griffin, US Representative, Arkansas, AR-02, Obama, killing Arkansas jobs, Keystone XL Pipeline,

Arkansas Congressional Freshmen Vote To Reject Raising The Debt Ceiling

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:15:00 +0000

By Peter Urban, Stephens Washington Bureau:
WASHINGTON — In what amounted to a symbolic vote of protest, House Republicans today passed a resolution opposing a $1.2 trillion increase in the federal debt limit.

Arkansas Reps. Tim Griffin, Rick Crawford and Steve Womack joined other House Republicans in voting for the resolution to reject President Barack Obama’s requested increase. Rep. Mike Ross, D-Prescott, voted against it.

The resolution, which was backed by 233 Republicans and six fiscally conservative Democrats, carries little weight since a bipartisan deal was struck last August that essentially allows Obama to raise the debt unless two-thirds of the House and Senate vote to disapprove.

Crawford, R-Jonesboro, said he voted for the resolution because he “disapproves” of raising the debt ceiling.

Griffin, R-Little Rock, said the vote was important because it sends a loud message to the president that he needs to do more to reduce the federal deficit. . . . Griffin said that his vote today should not be construed as advocating that the federal government not pay its obligations. Rather, he said, the Obama administration should return to the negotiating table to produce more long-term structural reforms. “The question now is what has the president done since August to address the debt,” Griffin said. “I don’t think he’s done anything.”

. . . [Read More]

Tags: Arkansas, US Congressmen, Vote, debt ceiling, Rick Crawford, Tim Griffin, Steve Womack, Mike Ross

Legislative Republicans Request Audit of Forestry Commission Budget Shortfall

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:26:00 +0000

. . . After Beebe Administration Mismanagement

Do audit of forestry shortfall, panel says
By Michael Wickline, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 1/13/12
LITTLE ROCK — A legislative panel Thursday OK’d two legislators’ requests for an audit of the Arkansas Forestry Commission, which is laying off 36 employees today as a result of a $4 million shortfall.

The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee’s Executive Committee approved audit requests from Rep. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, and Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View, who have emerged as two of the leading critics of Gov. Mike Beebe’s administration’s handling of the situation at the commission.
Hammer and Irvin told lawmakers that they want an unbiased accounting of the commission.

Sen. Bill Pritchard, co-chairman of the auditing committee, said, “with all the back and forth that has been going on in the newspapers - with he said, she said [about the shortfall] - I think it is appropriate that we find out the facts.

“Once we know all the facts, then we the Legislature and the executive branch will be in a position to make appropriate decisions to make sure that [the commission’s] mission is carried out,” said Pritchard, a Republican from Elkins.

Beebe, a Democrat, said Wednesday that he has told legislative leaders that he wants the audit division to find out who was aware of and responsible for erroneous official reports that masked the commission’s slide into the shortfall and its misuse of federal funds.

“I am happy for an independent organization to make that determination,” Beebe said. “We are trying to make that determination, too. I am trying to personally make that determination.”

But state Rep. Bryan King, R-Green Forest and a third leading critic of the administration’s handling of this matter, said Beebe “needs to point the finger at himself for this whole problem.”

Beebe spokesman Matt DeCample countered that the governor and the state Department of Finance and Administration didn’t fail to do their jobs, and the governor’s office has offered for more than a month to meet with King to answer his questions, but King hasn’t accepted the offer.

King said, “That’s funny because I have been waiting on them to set up a phone conference after looking at the governor’s schedule. Good grief. I have been waiting on the governor’s staff to e-mail answers to questions about the e-mails that they won’t answer.”

Several weeks ago, the commission announced it would lay off 36 employees because it projected that its costs will exceed available funds by $4 million.

At that time, State Forester John Shannon and Beebe said they only recently became aware of the extent of the commission’s fiscal distress though they knew that the timber industry was struggling during the housing-market downturn and that revenue from a timber severance tax on which the commission relies was lower than in previous years.

Shannon and his former chief fiscal officer, Robert Araiza, later told lawmakers that Beebe discouraged the commission from holding a meeting of industry representatives in 2010 to discuss a tax increase as a possible solution to the fiscal problems. A Beebe spokesman said the decision not to hold the meeting was practical, based on the strong anti-tax climate at the time and the fact that it involved an industry hit hard by the recession.
No legislator has announced any support for a tax increase since then…
Read full story (Subscription Only) [H/T RPA for providing this info]

Also Read:
* The Arkansas Forestry Commission and a “Beebe Bailout”
* How Much Did Beebe Know And When Did he Know It?

Tags: Arkansas, Governor, Mike Beebe, Arkansas Forestry Commission, Beebe Bailout, overspending, audit, layoffs, lack of oversight, lack of transparency

The Arkansas Forestry Commission and a “Beebe Bailout”

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 23:19:00 +0000

Birds of a Feather, Flock Together
More Bailouts - More Spending - Lost Jobs

Katherine Vasilos, Republican Party of Arkansas: This week, Democratic Governor Mike Beebe joined with Republican calls to commission a legislative audit after the Arkansas Forestry Commission was recently forced to lay off 36 employees due to a $4 million budget shortfall.

In 2010, Governor Beebe canceled a meeting with the Forestry Commission to address a budget shortfall, citing that he didn’t want to discuss tax increases during an election year.

Since then, Arkansas Republicans have led the way in calling for a complete investigation into the lack of transparency in state government and the improper use of federal grant money by the Forestry Commission, which has now drawn the attention of federal investigators.

The Beebe Administration’s mismanagement of the Forestry Commission shortfall and failure to address the issue in 2010 led the Governor to request a $2.7 million bailout last week to allow the agency to continue running.

It’s clear to us that the Governor intentionally swept the Forestry Commission’s shortfall under the rug for political purposes and now has to clean up the mess with a “Beebe Bailout.”

From dozens of high-ranking state employees double dipping under his watch, to millions of dollars of fraudulent unemployment claims in the Department of Workforce Services, there is serious mismanagement occurring in the Beebe Administration.

The people of Arkansas deserve proper oversight and transparency in government, and they are obviously not getting it.

We want to know what you think! Visit this post on the RPA blog and leave a comment.

Tags: Arkansas, Governor, Mike Beebe, Arkansas Forestry Commission, Beebe Bailout, overspending, audit, layoffs, lack of oversight, lack of transparency

Governor Beebe Proceeding With ObamaCare Without the Legislature

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:28:00 +0000

Governor Beebe is following the same tactics at the state level as Obama is at the national level. Obama has a list a mile long of dictatorial decisions and executive orders and just recently made appointees that the Senate would not confirm while the Senate is in session which is totally illegal for him to do and is getting away with it. So why shouldn't Beebe think he can do the same thing?

by Debbie Pelley: Governor Beebe has signed an application to obtain a $7.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and a proposed "cooperative agreement" to implement the federal insurance exchange. The AP article stated it this way in their story December 23, 2011 (which was also reported in the Democrat Gazette on January 11, 2012.)

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe announced Thursday that he supports a partnership with the federal government to implement the insurance exchange required under the health care law after efforts for a state-run exchange failed....Beebe wrote in a letter dated Monday to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "I am confident that this partnership approach to the federal exchange will move Arkansas toward our shared goal of making high-quality, affordable health insurance a reality for the one-in-five Arkansans who currently cannot obtain or afford coverage." [Everyone knows what a partnership with the federal government is - total federal control.]

Beebe earlier this year gave up on setting up the exchange after facing opposition from Republicans in the majority-Democrat Legislature. Insurance Commissioner Jay Bradford, who had continued pushing for a state-run exchange, said earlier this month that was no longer a possibility and had raised the partnership as an option. [In other words it could not pass the legislature so Beebe is doing it on his own]

Beebe backed the idea in a letter to Sebelius supporting the state's application for a $7.6 million grant to study and plan for an exchange partnership. Bradford said the partnership would give the state control over functions such as the design of programs offered and evaluation of insurers participating in the exchange. [Arkansas Business]

The Governor is jumping ahead of Arkansas citizens as the legislature opposed a similar measure, and "Twenty-eight states have filed or signed onto lawsuits challenging the measure. Thirty-eight legislatures are considering state laws to curtail its effects," and the US Supreme Court is set to hear the case in March, so why the rush? Will this partnership plan allow Beebe to get this $7.6 million taxpayer funded grant to implement Beebe's health care plan in Arkansas even if Obamacare is ruled unconstitutional? [Washington Post]

I hope you remember Beebe's secret letter to Kathleen Sebelius to make Arkansas a model for the rest of the nation for Obamacare. When that letter got out in the open and the public protested, Beebe's office sent out this email on March 9, 2011. "You have been the target of misinformation campaign designed to create uncertainty and fear for political purposes. Governor Beebe's effort to save the Arkansas Medicaid program from bankruptcy has no relationship whatsoever to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act."

However, Affordable Care Act (the shortened name for Obamacare) is mentioned several times in his letter to Sebelius. Now he is openly partnering with the federal government for Obamacare when the legislature opposed it. And we are supposed to believe our governor's request to Sebelius to be a national model for Medicaid had nothing to do with Obamacare - and that our governor believes in a representative government as ordained by the federal and state constitutions? The Arkansas Democrat Gazette discussed this issue.

Also see article on Beebe's letter to Sebelius - Beebe Gains Approval for His Plan to Make Arkansas A "Model" for Obamacare, dated May, 2011.

Call Beebe and Your State Senator and Representative and Share you Opinion on Gov. Beebe pushing ObamaCare on Arkansas residents.
Governor Mike Beebe Phone 501-682-2345
Governor Beebe's e-mail

Tags: Arkansas, Governor Beebe, BeebeCare, ObamaCare,

First Republican Arkansas 4th Congressional District Debate Being Held I Union County

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 19:15:00 +0000

LobbyUp and Talk Business Partner with State GOP to Live Stream Online the First Republican Fourth Congressional District Debate on Monday, Jan. 9, at the South Arkansas Arts Center in El Dorado.

Republican Party of Arkansas - Little Rock, AR: The Union County Republican Committee (UCRC) will partner with two of Arkansas’ top political groups, LobbyUp and Talk Business, to sponsor the first Republican Fourth Congressional District debate on Monday, Jan. 9, at the South Arkansas Arts Center in El Dorado.

“Our committee is honored to host the first congressional debate of the 2012 election cycle,” said UCRC Chairman Kermit Parks. “The people of South Arkansas are ready to send a conservative Republican to Congress next November.”

The debate will be moderated by Republican Party of Arkansas Chairman Doyle Webb. Candidates participating include, Tom Cotton of Dardanelle, Beth Anne Rankin of Magnolia and Marcus Richmond of Harvey.

LobbyUp and Talk Business will partner to live stream the debate online at www.talkbusiness.net/live.

Talk Business is a multi-media news organization founded by Roby Brock which includes a statewide television program, magazine and website dedicated to business, politics and public affairs. “As a premiere destination for political news in Arkansas, Talk Business is proud to be able to offer this coverage of one the most important races in the 2012 election cycle,” said Brock.

LobbyUp is an Arkansas based company that provides expanded access to legislative and government data. The company is expected to release its online campaign management tool sometime in February. The LobbyUp Legislative Directory and legislative search tool can be found in Apple's App Store as a free download. “We jumped at the opportunity to live stream this debate,” said LobbyUp President Bradley Phillips. “We specialize in using technology to give citizens better access to government and this fits in with that theme. A lot of folks will get to watch this debate that wouldn’t normally have the luxury.”

The debate is open to the public and will take place from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Tags: Arkansas, 4th Congressional District, Republican Debate, Union County, Tom Cotton, Dardanelle, Beth Anne Rankin, Magnolia, Marcus Richmond, Harvey, RPA, Republican Party of Arkansas

How Much Did Beebe Know And When Did he Know It?

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:08:00 +0000

Gov. Mike Beebe

As a Followup on prior post Governor Beebe Puts Arkansas Jobs At Risk For Political Gain more info leaks out. In politics, often it is not the act but the coverup that gets an elected person? Do we have another plantation politics' coverup in the Arkansas Governor's office.

Elizabeth Aymond responds on Americans For Prosperity - Arkansas: "My oh my. This just keeps getting uglier for Governor Beebe, and the blame game keeps spinning in circles."

Jason Tolbert, The Tolbert Report, had more to say a few days ago:

[Jan 3, 2010]
Emails Draw Questions of When Governor Knew of Forestry Problems
Gov. Mike Beebe’s office and DF&A Director Richard Weiss have called a press conference today at 1:30 pm to discuss the ongoing financial mess with the Forestry Commission. I am not sure what they will say, but I wonder if they will continue to claim – as they did a couple weeks ago – that they did not know about it until this fall.

“If we had known that the Commission was already to the point where they were no longer able to operate within their means, we would have addressed it during budget hearings and this year’s legislative session. When we did learn about it this fall, we took immediate action,” said Governor’s spokesman Matt DeCample after a legislative committee meeting where the Forestry Director admitted the governor’s office had asked then to cancel a meeting to discuss the problem in 2010.

However emails obtained by the Tolbert Report show that discussions regarding the Forestry Commission’s financial problems were taking place as far back as June 2010. The internal discussion in the emails, which copies Governor’s liaison Kathy Holt, directly discusses borrowing against federal grants to fund payroll which is being looked into by the U.S. Forest Service.

Tags: Arkansas, Governor, Mike Beebe, emails, Arkansas Forestry Commission, US Forest Service, Tolbert Report, Jason Tolbert, overspending, underfunding, tradition and practices, Plantation Politics,

It’s A Dogs Life

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 03:35:00 +0000

GOBER OBEEBE OR TOTUS OBAMA?

by A.F. "Tony Branco:

Tags: dogs life, Americans, on a leash, liberal government, Barack Obama, A.F. Branco, political cartoon

Looking Back and Ahead

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:27:00 +0000

The below letter to the editor is by Robert "Bob" McDowell, Jr. He is a Professional Engineer and Geologist with over 50 years experience in creating drilling prospects, supervising drilling, well completion, production operation, and pipeline design for oil and gas including repair of problem wells. McDowell is a conservative and active in the Oklahoma Republican Assembly.

Bob McDowell

By Bob McDowell: As we come to the end of the first year of the second decade of the twenty-first century AD, it seems that we should look back at the first decade and ahead to what may face us in the rest of this one. After all, people who forget or ignore the lessons of history are doomed to repeat the mistakes in the future. Also, it appears that those whom choose to 're-invent the wheel' seem to waste both time and effort which could have been put to better use to improve the lot for all of us. Unfortunately, it also seems that those with "official power" appear to be the most likely to be guilty of making these mistakes.

Three years ago, voters elected a young man as President of the United States whom they knew not knew very little about. He possessed a marvelous ability for public speaking, albeit using Teleprompters almost exclusively. Using the teleprompter is why he continually turns his head from side to side while reading his speeches.

He promised 'hope and change' without really identifying what changes he intended or how they would provide hope. He was quoted before the election as stating that he was fully prepared to "begin to RULE" the minute he was sworn to the office.

Most of the previous presidents have proposed to LEAD after taking the oath of office. Included in that oath, and for that matter the oath taken by all office holders, is the sworn intent to 'support, obey, and protect the Constitution of the United States of America . . . ." [1]

Unfortunately, the present occupant of the Office of President seems more intent on the destruction of the society and economy of the most prosperous and peaceful nation in the history of the world. A Nation whose freedoms have been unequaled anywhere prior since the ratification of the US Constitution in 1789.

Unfortunately for the majority of law abiding citizens, the candidate and his supporting machine were able to rally large numbers of young and ignorant first time voters to his cause, as well as substantial numbers those who were 'guilt ridden' bt the fact that no one of black ancestry had ever had the opportunity to be elected. All this was accomplished despite, in my opinion, that there was a valid question about his even being legally qualified to seek, let alone occupy, the office of president.

Looking ahead, it would appear that the U.S. is at another crossroads in the history of our nation. The new year, 2012, brings another presidential election. We already are seeing strong evidence of "the politics of personal destruction" surfacing in the race for the Republican nomination. Then there is the reprehensible but normal conduct of those following the Socialist / Communist agenda. They resort to this agenda because they have no logic on which to state their case or position.

Unfortunately, the national media has been taken over by so-called 'journalists' who are completely allied with the progressive agenda. They seem willing to stop at nothing to expound their liberal position in the guise of 'reporting' news.

Since there is no way to stop the misconduct by the progressive liberal machine or the bias of the national liberal media, we must be willing to find other sources of information to counter the falsehoods that are continually promulgated. We also need to look to GOD for our guidance in our efforts to become properly informed in order to vote for and elect honorable individuals.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and yours!
-------------
[1]: The Constitutional oath taken by a person assuming the position of President of the United States is as follows: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States" ~ U.S Constitution, Article II, Section 1 (last paragraph).

Tags: Bob McDowell, Oklahoma, letter to editor, past, future, 2012 election

Merry Christmas 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Tags: 2011, Christmas

Arkansas Governor Ignores Bi-Partisan Opposition to Obamacare

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:17:00 +0000

Governor Mike Beebe Ignores Bi-Partisan Opposition to Obamacare, Plays Partisan Game with Health Insurance Exchange

Little Rock, Ark. – Republican Party of Arkansas Communications Director Katherine Vasilos released the following statement in response to Democratic Governor Mike Beebe’s weekly column and radio address where he announces support for implementing a key component to Obamacare and recognizes legislative Republicans for stopping the early implementation of the President’s health care law:

“While there is bi-partisan opposition to setting up a health insurance exchange, we thank the Governor for giving Republicans credit for delaying the early implementation of Obamacare in Arkansas. It’s unfortunate Governor Beebe is playing partisan games and using scare tactics to give himself political cover. Only the Governor has the authority to authorize grants to fund an exchange, and he chose to not act. While we agree and applaud his decision, the decision was entirely up to him. Until the Supreme Court rules this summer on the constitutionality of the law, we should not spend tax dollars to fund planning for an Obamacare exchange in Arkansas.”

Governor Beebe Supports Key Component to Obamacare
“Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe is supporting a partnership with the federal government to implement the insurance exchange required under the health care law after efforts for a state-run exchange failed.” (Beebe Backs Health Exchange Partnership Idea, Associated Press, 12/22/11)

“My preference was to maintain control of the insurance exchange in Arkansas…” (Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe, “Protecting Arkansas Insurance Consumers,” Weekly Column and Radio Address, 12/22/11)

Governor Beebe Acknowledges Arkansas Republicans For Stopping Obamacare
“My preference was to maintain control of the insurance exchange in Arkansas…A bill was introduced during the 2011 legislative session to give Arkansas that very control. However, legislative Republicans vigorously fought the bill, and voted repeatedly to de-fund the entire Arkansas Insurance Department over this issue.” (Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe, “Protecting Arkansas Insurance Consumers,” Weekly Column and Radio Address, 12/22/11)

Democrat Legislators Oppose Obamacare Exchange
“Other Democrats, including Senate President Pro Tem-designate Larry Teague, indicated they have no intention of supporting a state health exchange at this time. ‘I wasn’t crazy about the idea to begin with,’ said Rep. Nate Steel, D-Nashville. ‘Federal grant funds always come with strings attached. I’m not certain what those strings will be yet, but until we know more, I don’t believe we should apply for them.'" (Jason Tolbert, “The Obamacare hot potato,” Arkansas News Bureau, 12/9/11)

“Rep. James McLean (D-Batesville) thinks it is the right decision not to apply for the grants. ‘I work for the people of Independence County and they don’t support the health care exchanges,’ said McLean.” (Jason Tolbert, “Minority Leader Burris Points to Obama as Responsible for Health Care Exchanges,” The Tolbert Report,12/2/11)

Governor Beebe Forgets He Has Authority To Fund Planning For Obamacare Exchange
“Beebe doesn't need legislative approval to seek the grant…” (Andrew Demillo, “Beebe unlikely to seek health exchange grant,”Associated Press, 9/27/11)

“To avoid the disastrous consequences of losing our Insurance Department, I agreed to abide by any legislative decisions regarding the health-insurance exchange and not supersede their decision by executive order. As a result, we missed the opportunity to control the exchange, and it will be set up by the federal government.” (Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe, “Protecting Arkansas Insurance Consumers,” Weekly Column and Radio Address, 12/22/11)

Arkansas Gov. Beebe Seeks To Be First State To Implement ObamaCare
"Merely the hint of Obamacare, Arkansas, Gov. Mike Beebe (D), and Secretary Kathleen Sebelius (D) stirs the concerns of Arkansans who overwhelmingly said loudly and clearly "No to Obamacare" prior to the 2010 elections. In fact, the backlash against incumbent Democrats Representatives and former Sen. Lincoln over government controlled healthcare resulted in Arkansas electing more Republicans to office than in the former 128 years. . . . " (ARRA News Service, 3/8/11)

Tags: Arkansas, Governor, Mike Beebe, Obamacare

Did Arkansas Governor Put Arkansas Jobs At Risk For Political Gain?

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:34:00 +0000

Politically Generated Layoffs?

ARRA News Service - In the past it has been noted that Arkansas has been plagued by "Plantation Politics" for over a hundred years. Arkansas present governor, Mike Beebe (D), has in the past used the terms like "traditions and practices" in an attempt to cover over situations which have come to light with increasing awareness and growing transparency in Arkansas. The following presented situation again begs questions about the past actions of Mike Beebe. In this specific situation, did Gov. Beebe before the 2010 elections either attempt to restrict or actually did restrict the truthful reporting of negative facts associated with the projected spending and funding by the Arkansas Commission? Was this another of his Democrat "tradition and practices" used to gain a political advantage? Why was access to to the following referenced information not made available to the Arkansas legislature responsible for the oversight and funding of Arkansas government agencies and commissions?

The below situation was highlighted today in an email by the Republican Party of Arkansas quoted below:

Governor Beebe Puts Arkansas Jobs At Risk For Political Gain,
Ignores State Agency Shortfall For Over A Year

Arkansas Forestry Officer Says Boss Knew of Shortfall
Arkansas Business.Com - By The Associated Press, 12/21/11
LITTLE ROCK - The former chief fiscal officer of the Arkansas Forestry Commission told legislators Tuesday that the agency's chief knew for years about financial problems that led the planned layoff of 36 workers.

The agency announced this month that the workers will be laid off Jan. 13. About 300 people work for the Forestry Commission.

Robert Araiza told a Legislative Council subcommittee Tuesday that state Forester John Shannon told him in 2010 that Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe didn't want any public discussion of a shortfall until after last year's general election and had canceled a meeting commission officials planned to have with forestry professionals.

The Forestry Commission this year has a $4 million shortfall that is being blamed on a drop in timber sales. The shortfall prompted the layoffs.

"It was like they were listening but they weren't hearing me," Araiza said.

Beebe's spokesman Matt DeCample said the governor didn't know how bad the agency's financial problems were and canceled the meeting because it pertained to raising the severance tax on timber. DeCample said Beebe didn't believe the discussion would be productive in the middle of an anti-tax environment.

"It wasn't until this fall that we learned that they were no longer able to operate within their budget," DeCample said. "If we had known (in 2010), we would have addressed it during the session and the budget hearings before the session."

So who is telling the truth? Governor Beebe's spokesperson or the Forestry Commissioner Robert Araiza?

To shed light on the situation, two days before the above cited article, Curtis Coleman, a potential Republican Arkansas gubernatorial candidate in 2012, identified the following in a post on The New South Conservative:

Former Marine sergeant Robert Araiza, often referred to as “sarge” by Forestry Commissioners, had served as the Commission’s chief financial officer until October when he left to work for the Arkansas Department of Career Education’s Rehabilitation Services. Araiza said that he warned the commission for three years of waning revenue that’s leading to the loss of 36 jobs next month.

There are reports that minutes of the Commission’s meetings may contradict Shannon’s testimony to the Committee and confirm Araiza’s report. Documents expected to be made public in tomorrow’s meeting of the ALC Personnel Sub-Committee may show that Shannon knew about the trust funds being used as early as 2008, contradicting his testimony to the Legislature.

The Forestry Commission’s Trust Fund is held in reserve for emergencies, especially to fund outside help and volunteer fire departments in situations where the Commission’s primary resources are inadequate to fight fires. Documents to be released tomorrow may reveal that Shannon told Commissioners on one occasion that contracted air tankers had to be used to fight fires in 2010, saving the lives of volunteer fire fighters, but because trust funds were depleted, GIF funds from the Governor’s office had to be used to pay for the tankers.

A CW Arkansas article and and Fox 16 video related that Former State Forestry Chief Financial Officer Robert Araiza "said he told his superiors -- particularly State Forester John Shannon -- the agency would run out of money from its trust fund if they continued to dip into it. Perhaps if they acknowledged his warnings, dating back to four years ago, he said those 36 laid off workers would have their jobs. 'I did everything I could do. I sounded all of the alarms and pushed all of the buttons,' said Araiza. . . . But Araiza says Shannon ordered no one speak to lawmakers about anything going in the agency."

From the reports so far it seems reasonably evident that the Governor's office knew something about the financial problems at the Arkansas Forest Commission long before the statement by Gov. Beebe's spokesperson. And according to the various reports, Governor Beebe may have put Arkansas Jobs at risk for political gain.

Tags: Arkansas, Governor, Mike Beebe, Arkansas Forestry Commission, John Shannon, Robert Araiza, Matt DeCample, overspending, underfunding, tradition and practices, Plantation Politics, Curtis Coleman To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service.

Partisan Politics in Sebastian County, Arkansas

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:22:00 +0000

Rex Terry

Commentary by Fort Smith attorney Rex Terry, chairman of the Sebastian County Republican Party
Sebastian County, Arkansas - Even though the election is months away, we already know that one Justice of the Peace will no longer be serving come January 1, 2013.

Democrat-controlled redistricting now places Republican incumbents Bob Schwartz and Leo Faulkner in the same JP district. Thus, if they wish to continue to serve, they will be forced to face each other in the Republican primary in May.

The situation happened because two Democrats who have not been elected to any office refused to adopt other, better redistricting plans. They instead decided on the basis of partisan politics. We often hear people on “both sides of the aisle” complaining about partisanship, as if it only happens in Washington. This is an example of what can happen at the local level. Here is how two Democrats gained the power to redistrict at least one Republican out of office.

Under Arkansas law, the Board of Election Commissioners in each county is charged with the responsibility of drawing JP districts after each decennial census. Each Board of Election Commissioners is composed of three individuals. In all 75 counties in our state, two of those commissioners are Democrats, and one is a Republican. One might wonder why that is the case. It is because the Democratic party is the “majority party” as that term is defined by Arkansas law.

After the election of Winthrop Rockefeller, the first Republican governor since Reconstruction, the Democratic controlled General Assembly enacted the law defining “majority party” as the party that holds the majority of the constitutional offices. There are seven such offices in the state, and four of them are held by Democrats. For that reason, in every county (including Benton, which has only one Democratic elected official), the composition of the Board of Election Commissioners is the same – two Democrats, one Republican.

Earlier this year, Jerry Huff, the board’s coordinator, presented a tentative JP District map that placed these two long time public servants in the same district. After several months and significant dialogue both with Mr. Schwartz, Mr. Faulkner and county Republican representatives, and consideration of a number of different districting maps, the Board of Election Commissioners made its final decision on November 17. The new JP district map would place these two Republican incumbents in the same district.

In revising JP district boundaries, the election commission’s mandate is to equalize the population (within 5%) among 13 JP districts, taking into consideration minority populations, whose voting strength cannot be diluted, and maintaining contiguity among the districts. According to the Secretary of State’s guidelines, some consideration should also be given to those Justices of the Peace presently serving the county.

Additionally, the commission takes into account congressional districts, legislative districts, and uses census block information available to it. The Arkansas Secretary of State has assisted some 43 counties with this process. Sebastian County has elected to use the services of the Western Arkansas Planning and Development District, which uses software in the process that is licensed by the Secretary of State.

While it is true that Mr. Schwartz and Mr. Faulkner live in reasonably close proximity to each other, it is equally true that they have lived in their same locations for many years, and lived in those locations, for example, the last time the redistricting process was completed after the 2000 census. It is also true that the population of our county has shifted somewhat, as people move into and relocate within the county. This is the type of situation that is encountered in any redistricting process whether it is here or elsewhere, and these are minor obstacles that are easily overcome.

Thanks to the services of County Clerk Sharon Brooks, acting with assistance from the Secretary of State’s office, Republicans presented a map that would accommodate not only these two elected officials, but all 13 JPs, including the six Democrats on our county’s Quorum Court. All that needed to happen in order to do so was a revision of the boundaries of a few voting precincts, a matter within the authority of the election commission. The majority of the commission stubbornly refused any consideration of that, seeming to hold the view that precinct lines are somehow sacred. However, they are not. For example, the election commission expanded the number of precincts in Sebastian County from 92 to 107 earlier this year.

It is telling that on the new JP district map, no two incumbent Democrats on the Quorum Court are living in the same JP District – only two Republicans. So, two Democrats, one the County Chairman, Lee Webb, and the other, David Harp, neither of whom have been elected to office, have decided that one of the Republican JPs has to go. The Republican commissioner, David Damron, voted against the plan.

So it’s partisan politics as usual, both in Washington, D.C., and in Sebastian County. The result here is the removal, by drawing lines on a map, of either Bob Schwartz or Leo Faulkner. Both of them have served honorably and well for many years on the Sebastian County Quorum Court. At least one of them will be missed by our county and their constituents 2013.

Tags: partisan politics, democrats, election commissioners, redistricting, Sebastian County, Arkansas

Standing with Arkansas Workers

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 22:15:00 +0000

RPA Chairman Doyle Webb goes on location at Welspun Tubular to discuss President Barack Obama's failure to protect Arkansas jobs by delaying approval of the Keystone XL pipeline project. Barack Obama has put the jobs of 600 Welspun employees at risk -- 60 of which have already been notified they are losing their jobs. Will state Democrats stand with Arkansas workers or will they support the President's efforts to save his own job?

Tags: Arkansas, Republican, GOP Arkansas, Arkansas GOP, RNC, Republican Party of Arkansas, Doyle Webb, Keystone XL, Pipeline, Democratic Party of Arkansas, Arkansas Democrat, Jobs, Welspun Tubular, Welspun

Democrats View Their Own Potential Candidate In 2012 For AR-01

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 03:43:00 +0000

A reader provided he following post from the "dark side" and said, "I think the infighting between Dem’s in the 1st District (Arkansas) has already started. It seems that Mike Ross (D-AR-04) has already endorse Clark Hall.Check out what is going on inside our opposition."

From Blue Arkansas:

AR-01: Clark Hall “Not Running Against People”…Except Democrats Apparently
December 15th, 2011
By ARDem
A friend of mine sent me some clippings from today’s Jonesboro Sun, and it’s got my blood running hot. I can’t find a link on the Sun’s website so these excerpts from the article “Demo Group Backing Hall In 1st District” will have to suffice for now:

When asked how he specifically disagreed with Crawford’s public and policy stances, Hall was vague, saying he won’t get into policy matters until next year.
“I’m not running against people, I’m running for the people of Arkansas,” Hall said, later adding, “Right now I’m focusing on me, not on him (Crawford).”
***
Pelosi, a liberal former speaker of the House, has been a lightning rod for Democrats from the South. Hall said he couldn’t support her.
“No, sir,” Hall said when asked if he’d vote her into a prominent position within the party. He later added, “It’s time for new leadership and a new direction in Washington, D.C.”
Hall has been running now for almost two full months now and he still can’t explain to first district voters where he stands on the issues. That’s just plain insulting. What’s more, he won’t even try to make a case against Crawford, the Republican incumbent he’s trying to retire, but will rush to bash another Democrat. And remember, this is the man that the Democratic establishment has all but crowned as the nominee. I’d elaborate more on how I feel about this, but I think this is about to give me a stroke, so I’m going to make this one point and then go to the E.R. Running as a fake Republican while trying to say as little substantive stuff as possible did not help Chad Causey one bet last year. Nor did it help Blanche Lincoln. If Arkansas Democrats think Clark Hall can pull it off doing the exact same thing, then as much as I hate to say it maybe we deserve to lose next year, assuming he’s the nominee. . . .

One Response to “AR-01: Clark Hall “Not Running Against People”…Except Democrats Apparently”

dave says:
December 16, 2011 at 10:24 am

Let’s wait until the filing fees are paid first. I don’t blame him for keeping his cards close to his vest. The 1st still leans Democratic, and he’s probably the “frontrunner” right now, if you had to name one. The blue dog endorsements…I know, they don’t really impress you, but they are mostly beneficial for fundraising & structural issues, not policy (IMHO).

I’d ask him, who would he support for a leadership position? Steney Hoyer? If you don’t want to support Pelosi, that’s fine, but who would you replace her with and why would that individual be better than her?

He’s got a lot of questions to answer, but again, let’s wait until after new year’s to crown him the second coming of Chad Causey.

Tags: Arkansas, 1st Congressional District, AR-01, US Rep, Rick Crawford, Republican, Clark Hall, Democrat, candidate, Blue Arkansas,

Governor Beebe -- Call The President And Ask Him To Lift Keystone Ban

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:30:00 +0000

Little Rock, Ark. – Today, Republican Party of Arkansas (RPA) Chairman Doyle Webb issued a letter to Governor Mike Beebe asking that he publicly call on President Barack Obama to approve the Keystone XL pipeline in light of recent layoffs at Little Rock-based Welspun Tubular, a major manufacturer of pipeline for the Keystone project.

“While the Governor’s spokesman says he’s not ready to ‘jump into’ a ‘partisan issue,’ 60 Arkansans are now out of work, with hundreds more at risk of losing their job due to the President’s delay of the Keystone pipeline,” said RPA Chairman Doyle Webb.

According to the Tolbert Report, in September Governor Beebe issued a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in support of Keystone XL - before the President announced his moratorium on the pipeline project.

“A letter is simply not enough,” said Webb. “This is not a partisan issue, this is a jobs issue, and Governor Beebe should be fighting aggressively to keep Arkansans at work. Today, we are calling on Governor Beebe to urge President Obama to immediately lift his administration’s ban on the Keystone XL pipeline before more Arkansas jobs are lost.”
Click here to download the letter to Governor Mike Beebe.

center>Governor Beebe Calls Keystone XL Pipeline a “Partisan Issue”
“But governor’s spokesman Matt DeCample said while their office is obviously disappointed in the delay, they are not ready to jump into the partisan issue that they feel this has become.” (Jason Tolbert, “Beebe Office Points to September Letter of Support for Keystone Pipeline,” Talk Business, 12/14/11)

September Letter is Best Governor Beebe Can Do on Keystone Issue
“The recent announcement of layoffs by Welspun here in Arkansas due to the delay of the Keystone Pipeline along with the passage of a bill supporting moving forward with the project by the U.S. House of Representatives has pushed the issue to the forefront of Arkansas politics this week…I asked the governor’s office for a response today and they pointed me to a letter Beebe wrote to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton back in September.” (Jason Tolbert, “Beebe Office Points to September Letter of Support for Keystone Pipeline,” Talk Business, 12/14/11)

60 Arkansas Workers Lose Their Jobs Due to President’s Keystone Delay
“The first tangible signs of a moratorium on the Keystone XL oil pipeline project affecting Arkansas jobs has surfaced. Indian pipeline maker, Welspun Tube, which has a major North American production plant at the Little Rock Port Authority, says it will lay off 60 temporary workers due to the project’s delay.” (Roby Brock, Welspun Says Keystone Moratorium And Steel Delay Reason For Layoffs, Talk Business, 12/13/11)

600 Jobs at Risk Due to President’s Keystone Moratorium
“If the project doesn’t get the required permits, most of Welspun’s 600 jobs could be suspended for a time, he added. ‘It would affect us tremendously if it is not approved,’ Delie said. ‘All this pipe we have in the yard belongs to TransCanada and ... we would be competing with them’ to sell pipe.” (Paul Quinn, Pipeline delay prompts LR layoffs,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 12/14/11)

Tags: Governor, Mke Beebe, Keystone XL pipeline, ban,

Senator Mark Pryor Ignores Nation’s $15 Trillion Debt Crisis, Votes No on Balanced Budget Amendment

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:16:00 +0000

Is balancing the budget asking too much of Senator Pryor?
Little Rock, Ark. – Republican Party of Arkansas Communications Director Katherine Vasilos released the following statement after Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) voted no on S.J.Res.10, the Balanced Budget Amendment:

“It’s disappointing Senator Mark Pryor voted against a measure to responsibly balance our nation’s budget and protect the American economy. Rather than aiding in the re-election of a president who has increased out debt by $4.4 trillion since taking office, Senator Pryor needs to join with Arkansas Republicans and commit to spending less and reducing our budget deficit. In Arkansas, we are legally required to balance the budget. It shouldn’t be asking too much for Senator Pryor and Washington to do the same. Arkansans deserve better from their senior senator.”

Senator Pryor Votes No on Balanced Budget Amendment
(United States Senate, S.J.Res. 10, Roll Call Votes, 12/14/11))

Senator Mark Pryor “completely disagree[s]” with a Balanced Budget Amendment
Senator Pryor: “There are a lot of people who think a balanced-budget amendment solves all the fiscal problems. I completely disagree.” (Peter Urban, Pryor Tilts Balanced Budget, Southwest Times Record, 11/17/11)

National Debt Exceeds $15 Trillion (U.S. Treasury Department, Accessed 12/6/11)

National Debt Has Increased by $4.4 Trillion Since Obama Took Office (Ibid

Democrat, U.S. Senator, Mark Pryor, opposes, Balanced Budget Amendment, debt, national debt, RPA, Republican Party of Arkansas, Insert tags

The Facts: H.R. 1540 - The 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:09:00 +0000

First Congressional District Arkansas - Representative Rick Crawford: My office has heard many concerns about H.R. 1540, the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Since the bill is garnering so much attention I wanted to address some of the misinformation that is spreading with the following facts:

H.R. 1540 authorizes funds for the Department of Defense for Fiscal Year 2012
Concerns have surfaced that the NDAA authorizes government officials to hold American citizens suspected of aiding Al Qaeda in military custody indefinitely. This is simply not true, H.R. 1540 specifically states that United States Citizens cannot be detained. In fact, Page 657, Sect. 1022 (b)(1) of the bill says:“APPLICABILITY TO UNITED STATES CITIZENS AND LAWFUL RESIDENT ALIENS. — (1) UNITED STATES CITIZENS. — The requirement to detain a person
in military custody under this section does not extend to citizens of
the United States.”
H.R. 1540 can be accessed Here
H.R. 1540 does not give the President that authority to override the exemption of U.S. citizens from detention.
H.R. 1540 strengthens existing laws that allow the federal government to indefinitely hold in military custody foreign nationals associated with Al Qaeda who have participated in planning or carrying out an attack against the United States.

Once again, under no circumstances does this legislation permit the indefinite detention of American citizens.

I hope this information will help clear up any concerns you might have about H.R. 1540, the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Rep. Rick Crawford serves the 1st District of Arkansas. | Congressional Website

Tags: First Congressional District, Arkansas, Representative Rick Crawford, H.R. 1540, 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, NDAA, U.S Citizens

Boozman: Delay of Keystone Pipeline Hinders Job Creation

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:32:00 +0000

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) today pressured President Obama to stop hindering job creation and stifling energy development by delaying the Keystone XL pipeline construction from beginning.

During a speech on the Senate floor, Boozman said the president’s decision to postpone the start of the project “is putting more Americans out of work instead of putting them to work.”

“Our country lacks an energy policy. We are also facing a jobs crisis of enormous magnitude. And our president is standing in the way of one project that can help address both of these problems—the Keystone XL pipeline,” Boozman said.

The Keystone pipeline would transport 700,000 barrels of oil per day from Canada to U.S. refineries and create thousands of American jobs. Despite reviewing the Keystone XL permit for three years and conducting two comprehensive environmental evaluations of the project, President Obama last month requested an additional study be undertaken before saying whether or not he will grant a permit for the pipeline construction to begin.

During his speech, Boozman highlighted how the delay is already resulting in job losses in Arkansas.

“Welspun Tubular Company, which makes pipes for the oil industry, has been producing pipe for the Keystone project. Unfortunately, due to the administration’s delay on Keystone, the company has already begun to lay workers off in Little Rock. They have 500 miles of pipe that was produced for the project, ready to go, that is just sitting at the facility,” Boozman said.

The delay—which was announced only after environmentalist groups intensified their protests of White House support of the project—means there will be no decision on the whether the pipeline will be built until after the 2012 elections.

“President Obama needs to quit pandering to the radical environmentalists. He needs to do what is best for the country, not what he perceives is best for his re-election. The Keystone pipeline is what is best for America. Let’s move forward with it,” said Boozman, a cosponsor of The North America Energy Security Act which would require a construction permit to be issued for the Keystone XL pipeline within 60 days of passage.

Boozman also noted that the administration’s decision is a “major step backwards for our energy policy goals.”

“Canada’s oil sands are among the largest oil reserves in the world. As global demand for oil surges and Canada increases production, the addition of the Keystone pipeline will ensure that Americans benefit from reliable and secure oil from our largest trading partner,” Boozman said.

Tags: Senator, John Boozman, Keystone Pipeline, delayed jobs, job creation, jobs, energy

President’s Pipeline Delay Is Killing Jobs in Arkansas

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 01:00:00 +0000

ARRA News Service - Update 6:14 PM: The House passed H.R. 3630 (234-193) which included $202.4 billion to cover extending the two-percent payroll tax cut for one year, preventing a tax increase on every working American. The bill would reform the unemployment insurance program by lifting the ban on drug testing, decreasing the number of weeks of eligibility from 99 to 59 and require certain recipients enroll in a GED program if they have not finished high school. It also would provide a two-year fix to the Medicare reimbursement rate for physicians to ensure seniors continue to have access to quality health Finally, speed up the approval of a Canadian pipeline by creating the Canadian Keystone XL pipeline that would stretch to Texas. This pipeline doesn’t cost taxpayers a dime and unlike the stimulus bill, which relied on vague promises of jobs “saved or created,” the pipeline would create 20,000 direct job and 100,000 indirect jobs.

Sen. Harry Reid has said that he and Senate Democrats will kill the bill in the Senate. And. President Obama has promised if Reid doesn't succeed then he would veto this bill.

Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) responded after the passage of the bill about the impact on Arkansas if it becomes law, "The President’s delayed decision on the Keystone Pipeline has already cost Arkansas jobs at Welspun Tubular in Little Rock, and further delays could risk the opportunity for the U.S. economy to create 20,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs through this project. Further, it is estimated that the Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) rules, as written, could cost Arkansas’s economy over $338 million and put more than 5,400 Arkansans out of work."
---------------
House to vote later today to force the President to decide on Keystone XL’s future

Rep. Tim Griffin

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) issued the following statement after learning that employees at Welspun Tubular in Little Rock, AR were laid off because of delays in the Keystone XL Pipeline project:

“Welspun is laying off workers in Arkansas because the President refuses to decide on the future of the Keystone XL Pipeline until after the next election. I don’t agree with Big Labor bosses on much, but even they understand that the President’s political posturing on this issue is costing us jobs at a time when far too many Americans are still out of work. Arkansas workers cannot wait another year for the President to make a decision. That is why the House will vote today on a bill that will require him to make a decision on the pipeline within 60 days of enactment. The President should put all of our governmental resources into approving this pipeline. Arkansas workers are counting on it.”

Last month, Rep. Griffin led a group of House Members in urging the President to stop putting politics over paychecks when it comes to approving the Keystone XL Pipeline permits. Learn more about that event, as well as Griffin’s prior efforts on this issue, here.

Tags: Washington, D.C. Keystone pipeline, US House, HR 3630, Tim Griffin

Rep. Crawford Questions Jon Corzine in Agriculture Committee

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Smith) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:10:00 +0000

Jon Corzine was subpoenaed to testify in front of the House Agriculture Committee on December 8, 2011. Representative Rick Crawford (AR-02) had several excellent questions regarding Corzine's conduct with MF Global's bankruptcy. Crawford critically probed Cozine's responses while showing gracious respect to an older person.

Tags: Rick Crawford, House Agriculture committee, oversight committee, questioning, Jon Corzine, MF Global,