The Arkansas Project

Richard Womack: No Pie for Me!

Nic Horton — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:25:54 +0000

There’s been a lot of gossip swirling around the vote to expand Medicaid in Arkansas. For example, how did proponents of expansion pick up 8 votes from Monday (when the bill first failed) to Tuesday when it passed? There’s been a lot of talk about bribery or extortion — Rep. Nate Bell even went to [...]

Martha Shoffner: Innocent Until Proven Guilty or Guilty Until Proven Innocent?

Nic Horton — Tue, 21 May 2013 02:30:10 +0000

A lot has happened since we broke the news Saturday night that State Treasurer Martha Shoffner had been arrested by the FBI (officially the biggest story in the history of The Arkansas Project, by the way, shattering the record that was set only a few weeks ago when we broke the news about constitutional carry). [...]

On the Arkansas Times, Part III: Are Private-Option Advocates Really That Much Smarter Than We Are?

Nic Horton — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:19:16 +0000

Upon rereading David Ramsey’s piece on the genesis of the “private option,” it’s hard not to notice the flood of admiring compliments he bestows on the intellect of its creators. They are “clever,” “smart,” “open-minded,” and “pragmatic.” As they work in tandem with Governor Mike Beebe, they are “thoughtful and nuanced.” In particular, Senator Jonathan [...]

BREAKING: Treasurer Martha Shoffner Arrested, Held in Pulaski County Jail

Nic Horton — Sat, 18 May 2013 23:19:02 +0000

Well, here’s a little bit of Saturday night political news for you: State Treasurer Martha Shoffner has been arrested and is being held in the Pulaski County jail. You can see a record of her arrest at the jail’s website by searching for her name. No further information is available at this time. Stay tuned [...]

Introducing, The Arkansas Project Podcast

Nic Horton — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:24:33 +0000

(Click here to listen on your mobile device) We are proud to present to you the inaugural episode of The Arkansas Project Podcast. We are hoping to produce one show a week to keep you up-to-date on what’s going on at the capitol. In the near future, the show will be available for download in the [...]

The Warring Messages of the Private Option

Nic Horton — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:39:38 +0000

At the Saline County TEA Party meeting last week, Rep. Andy Mayberry told his constituents that the struggle over the private option made him feel like he was being forced to jump out of the third story of a burning building: There’s no way, if I just stand there, that I’m going to survive. I’m [...]

State of the Race: Pryor vs. Arkansas 2014

Nic Horton — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:19:46 +0000

As you probably know, Senator Mark Pryor is up for re-election next year. So I asked Ward Baker, political director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), about the state of the race, potential GOP challengers, and much more. Despite some conventional wisdom within the state and amongst the DC establishment, Pryor is very vulnerable, [...]

On the Arkansas Times, Part II

Nic Horton — Wed, 15 May 2013 02:44:13 +0000

David Ramsey of the Arkansas Times regularly distinguished himself this session with his thorough coverage of the debate over Medicaid expansion. His account of the creation of the “private option” — perhaps the biggest increase in the size and scope of state government in my lifetime — was educational and gripping. But occasionally his work [...]

On the Arkansas Times, Part I

Dan Greenberg — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:08:42 +0000

One of the legislature’s most praiseworthy achievements this session was passing a “voter ID” bill. If you read the unsigned article in this week’s Arkansas Times, though, you’ll see a very different perspective on voter ID. Indeed, the Times explained: Republicans say the new law will protect the integrity of our elections; some may believe [...]

Day of Reckoning in Saline County: Who Said It?

Nic Horton — Sat, 11 May 2013 13:12:33 +0000

Thursday night, the Saline County TEA Party hosted a town meeting so that their members could question the Saline County legislators who had supported the “private option.” About five state legislators representing Saline County attended; at least as many legislators from outside Saline County attended as well. Almost every public official who was there has [...]