Economic development bills working their way through Legislature

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

A package of economic development reform bills is making progress through both ends of the State Capitol as the 95th General Assembly counts down its final full week.

Two measures just need House floor votes before making their way to Gov. Sarah Sanders’ desk for signature.

SB 421, the Arkansas Water, Waste Disposal, and Pollution Abatement Facilities Financing Act of 2025, is a massive infrastructure bill that outlines how and when the state can issue general obligation bonds to finance and refinance water, waste disposal, pollution control, abatement and prevention, drainage, irrigation, flood control, and wetlands and aquatic resources projects. The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission helps put together the plan.

Economic development bills working their way through Legislature

Gov. Sanders touts tax cuts, budget tightening and support for Trump

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders said she remains focused on reducing the state income tax to zero, despite some who have expressed concerns about fully eliminating the tax that could lead to a reduction in state services.

In a wide-ranging interview on this week’s edition of Talk Business & Politics and Capitol View, Sanders also said she planned to remain governor of Arkansas if Donald Trump reclaims the presidency this election cycle.

The interview was taped on Thursday (June 20) and aired statewide on Sunday (June 23).

Gov. Sanders touts tax cuts, budget tightening and support for Trump

Arkansas' Medicaid rolls reduced by 82,279 in July; total disenrolled more than 300,000

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas’ Medicaid rolls fell by more than 82,000 in July, according to new figures released by the state Department of Human Services.

Arkansas is unwinding, or redetermining, Medicaid eligibility for patients as part of the ending of the federal COVID-19 pandemic. There was a continuous enrollment requirement during the crisis that prevented DHS from removing most ineligible individuals from Medicaid. State law requires the unwinding process be completed in six months.

In its fourth month of redetermination, DHS officials said 82,279 Arkansans had their Medicaid cases closed – a number that includes those added to the rolls during the public health emergency and regular renewals. In July, more than 50,000 cases were renewed after eligibility was confirmed, DHS said.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/08/medicaid-rolls-reduced-by-82279-in-july-total-disenrolled-more-than-300000/

Gov.-elect Sanders names Hugh McDonald to Commerce post, Shane Khoury to Energy and Environment

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Gov.-elect Sarah Sanders announced Thursday (Dec. 22) former Entergy Arkansas CEO Hugh McDonald as her choice to lead the Arkansas Department of Commerce, the cabinet post that oversees economic development and recruiting, and other agencies dealing with banking, securities and insurance.

McDonald, who has been retired from Entergy since 2016, said he is looking forward to the challenge of recruiting businesses to Arkansas and helping develop the state’s workforce. Sanders said improving Arkansas’ workforce training and coordination – with an eye toward helping younger, non-college bound students explore career opportunities – would be a top priority for her administration.

Mike Preston, the outgoing Secretary of Commerce, is transitioning to the private sector. He said an announcement about his future would be forthcoming.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/12/gov-elect-sanders-names-hugh-mcdonald-to-commerce-post-shane-khoury-to-energy-and-environment/

Gov.-elect Sarah Sanders and Commerce Secretary nominee Hugh McDonald.

Energy leaders say more supply, stable policy needed for lower costs

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

As inflation eats into family and business budgets, energy is one component of the economy that has been driving higher prices. Two energy leaders – Chad Kinsley, VP of operations for Black Hills Energy, and Lauren Waldrip, executive director of the Arkansas Advanced Energy Association, shared their perspectives in Talk Business & Politics’ latest State of the State report on energy.

Kinsley, whose company provides natural gas across north Arkansas, said the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the supply and demand balance that had kept energy prices stable and low.

“We’re seeing inflation across all aspects of the economy and natural gas commodity prices, like you mentioned, certainly are no exception. Unfortunately, that’s impacting our customer’s bills and kind of a short answer is, it’s supply and demand in the marketplace,” Kinsley said…

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/04/energy-leaders-say-more-supply-stable-policy-needed-for-lower-costs/

Arkansas coalition that eliminated medical debt now working on new measures

KUAR | By Roby Brock / Talk Business & Politics

Last month, a broad coalition of Arkansas nonprofits and donors coordinated the elimination of $35 million in medical debt for over 23,000 Arkansans. Leaders from two of the organizing groups say there is still much work to be done in this area and they hope to advance public policies addressing systemic challenges to lower-income citizens who encounter medical emergencies.

Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury, president and CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, and Abby Hughes Holsclaw, senior director for Arkansas Asset Funders Network, say that medical debt can derail the financial stability of asset-limited, income-constrained, employed (ALICE) workers. ALICE workers have jobs, but they are typically lower paying and don’t always offer benefits. A $1,500 (or higher) medical bill can result in financial challenges related to their jobs, child care, transportation or other health concerns.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-02-07/arkansas-coalition-that-eliminated-medical-debt-now-working-on-new-measures

Talk Business & Politics

Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker announces for re-election

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net) January 20, 2022 8:47 pm

Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker said Thursday (Jan. 20) she would seek a third term on the state’s highest court.

Baker has served two terms as a Supreme Court Justice. She completed the remaining four years of then-Justice Annabelle Clinton Imber’s term, and was elected to a full-term in 2014.

“I believe my experience at every level of the judiciary is unmatched, and I am currently the senior, most experienced justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court. I want to continue to put that experience to work for the people of Arkansas,” Justice Baker said in an announcement release.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/01/arkansas-supreme-court-justice-karen-baker-announces-for-re-election/

Arkansas Racing Commission moves forward with Cherokee Nation casino license in Pope County

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

The Arkansas Racing Commission on Friday (Nov. 12) accepted the application and $250,000 filing fee from Cherokee Nation Businesses to move forward on a casino license in Pope County.

The motion passed on a 3-2 vote with two commissioners not participating. The Cherokee Nation proposal was deemed qualified after the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled ineligible the Gulfside Casino Partnership proposal in late October. The state’s high court previously ruled that Gulfside did not have an official letter from an elected official during the active part of the application process, while Cherokee Nation did.

There is still separate litigation pending that could affect the eligibility of the Cherokee Nation license, but it may not be resolved for months.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/11/arkansas-racing-commission-moves-forward-with-cherokee-nation-casino-license-in-pope-county/

John Amatucci/Cherokee Nation

A Cherokee Nation casino in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. The business was issued a license Friday by the Arkansas Racing Commission.

Arkansas Supreme Court rules for Cherokee Nation in Pope County casino case

KUAR | By Roby Brock / Talk Business & Politics

The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday ruled in favor of the Cherokee Nation Businesses and against Gulfside Casino Partnership in a long-running controversial series of legal and regulatory challenges to place a casino in Pope County.

The dispute arises from actions taken soon after voters approved The Arkansas Casino Gaming Amendment, which requires the Racing Commission to issue licenses to Oaklawn Jockey Club in Hot Springs, Southland Racing Corporation in West Memphis, and to entities in Pope County and Jefferson County.

The high court’s ruling in Cherokee Nation Businesses and Arkansas Racing Commission vs. Gulfside Casino Partnership focused on which entity was a legal applicant for a casino license.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2021-10-21/arkansas-supreme-court-rules-for-cherokee-nation-in-pope-county-casino-case

The Arkansas Supreme Court

Blue Cross Blue Shield CEO on Mask Restrictions, Vaccine Hesitancy, and Behavioral Health

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield CEO Curtis Barnett said the state’s largest health insurance company is supportive of the governor’s new call for a COVID-19 pandemic emergency and a special session to loosen mask-wearing restrictions in public schools.

“We’re very supportive of what the governor outlined this week. I think what it does, it puts our priority clearly where it needs to be, which is on our children,” Barnett said in a Talk Business & Politics interview.

On Thursday, Gov. Asa Hutchinson declared a new pandemic emergency as the Delta variant of COVID-19 has spiked cases across the state. Hutchinson also said he would ask lawmakers in a special session to address a new law prohibiting mask mandates. He wants to loosen the restriction to allow local school boards to make a decision on the issue with regards to children under the age of 12, who do not qualify for a vaccine.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/08/blue-cross-blue-shield-ceo-on-mask-restrictions-vaccine-hesitancy-and-behavioral-health/

Talk Business & Politics

‘Class Protection’ Bill Passes House Judiciary committee After Chairwoman Quickly Adjourns Meeting

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

An alternative hate crimes bill led by House Speaker Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado, and Senate President Jimmy Hickey, Jr., R-Texarkana, passed in House Judiciary committee Thursday (April 8) on a voice vote, but not without a closing controversy.

Committee chairwoman Rep. Carol Dalby, R-Texarkana, ruled the “aye” votes approved the measure and in the same sentence declared the meeting adjourned. The quick move did not allow for a roll call vote to be called to determine if 11 or more votes supported the bill.

SB 622, which is touted as a class protection bill, will create an “aggravating circumstance” provision that would require a criminal defendant to serve at least 80% of his or her sentence if certain motivations led to the crime.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/class-protection-bill-passes-house-judiciary-committee-after-chairwoman-quickly-adjourns-meeting/

AG Rutledge on Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Opioid Lawsuit

by Roby Brock

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge says her new lawsuit against Walgreens is part of a continuing mission of accountability for the opioid crisis, and she says her experience as the state’s top legal officer makes her more qualified to be the next governor of Arkansas.

In a mid-week Talk Business & Politics interview, Rutledge claimed Walgreens should have done more to curtail the prescription of opioids. By not doing so, the national pharmacy chain has contributed to the black market for the extremely addictive drugs.

Walgreens has denied the allegations and said it plans to “vigorously defend” itself in the lawsuit.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/03/ag-rutledge-on-sarah-huckabee-sanders-opioid-lawsuit/

Lt. Gov. Griffin Discusses Decision To Run for AG Instead of Governor

By PAUL GATLING

Roby Brock speaks with Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin about his decision to run for Arkansas attorney general instead of the governorship. Griffin made the announcement earlier this month after Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she'd be joining the race for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, which also includes current Attorney General Leslie Rutledge.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/lt-gov-griffin-discusses-decision-run-ag-instead-governor

COURTESY / LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

Medicaid Expansion, Taxes on Tap for 2021 Legislative Session

John Brummett, political writer for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, talks with Roby Brock, from our partner Talk Business and Politics, about what we might expect when the Arkansas legislature gathers early next year for its 2021 session regarding Medicaid expansion and taxes.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/medicaid-expansion-taxes-tap-2021-legislative-session

Medicaid Expansion, Taxes on Tap for 2021 Legislative Session

John Brummett, political writer for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette , talks with Roby Brock, from our partner Talk Business and Politics , about what we might expect when the Arkansas legislature gathers early next year for its 2021 session regarding Medicaid expansion and taxes.