Steve Barnes' Weekly Bullets
November, 14, 2008
From the governor, a budget that says the fat years are over, for now. $0.01 - There's a tax cut in the mix, with some lawmakers asking why? Demos - For two senators from Arkansas, a question about a colleague from Connecticut. GOP - And Arkansas Republicans look for a new chair, while a favorite son gets a new gig, en route to 2012.
November 7, 2008
Obama - The nation chose blue, but Arkansas got redder. GOP - The Republicans lose two dozen in Washington, gain three in Little Rock. Ballot - The state says yes to every ballot question including two previously unthinkable. Dollars - And the Governor, back to the dollars and cents of governing.
October 31, 2008
Our election eve edition. 2008 - The big day is almost here, how red will Arkansas be? Dollars - It's driving the debate nationwide, if not necessarily here. Issues - We'll run the ballot on questions that aren't personal pronouns. UCA - And look at an issue that isn't on the ballot.
October 24, 2008
Jobs - Some gains, some losses, some statistics. Climate - How much, and at what cost, can Arkansas help the nation and the world go green? Act 1 - Clerical support, and clerical opposition, to the adoption proposal. Polls - And can a Democratic fly-around produce an Arkansas turnaround.
October 17, 2008
Dollars - For public schools, a recommendation for millions more. Credit - Credit to more than one university campus, and we're not talking about credit hours. SCOARK - The lottery proposal, the state's highest court clears it for the ballot. Dist. 30 - And speaking of the ballot, that big race to the west of Little Rock. Panelists include: Lance Turner - Arkansas Business and David Keith - UCA Journalism Dept.
October 10, 2008
Dollars - With the state treasury fatter than some corporations, the budget process begins. DHS - A remarkable turnabout in state policy on foster care. Dist. 30 - The most watched legislative race of the season gets steadily warmer. 270 - and the race for the White House decidedly hotter.
October 3, 2008
Water - The Governor and the bonds, an endorsement. Children - Adoption and foster care, the fight continues. Debate - Biden vs. Palin, Palin vs. Biden. Does it matter? Shifts - And the momentum, can Obama keep it?
September 26, 2008
Snake Eyes - Games of chance or games of skill? Or, games of law? Money - The big bailout and it's impact in Arkansas. Shale - The market in natural gas. Will Arkansas's bonanza cool down? 2008 - And gas of another kind, the first debate.
September 19, 2008
Kids - Foster children. How safe are they? Angst - Our economy. Is anyone safe? Issues - The latest on the campaigns to write laws at the polls. 2008 - and the momentum... back to Obama, but where and for how long?
September 12, 2008
Highways - With state and federal fuel dollars under seige, can Arkansas keep building? H20 - These rains notwithstanding, can we continue to count on our water? Pryor - Can a new Democratic chair help his party make Arkansas competitive? Obama - can the Democratic nominee?
September 5, 2008
The Race - Two tickets now with two months to go. Where's Arkansas? Dollars - More bad news than good on the national economic front, but not here. Students - College enrollment, are we buying students? Jimmie Red - And the passing of a man who helped rescue a future president.
August 29, 2008
Exit - At UCA, self-inflicted wounds claim the president. AP/SAT - At the secondary level, is the grass half-empty or half-full? Economy - Nationally, a good quarter for the country, a not-so-good year for Arkansas. Nominees - And the wound, is it healing?
August 22, 2008
(Lu-CA) The president and his campus: are the at critical mass? (DNC) A funeral, a delegate, a convention. (Wal-Mart) A company known for never settling lawsuits settles one. (Remediation) And getting ready for college: can another $95 million make a difference?
August 15, 2008
Gwatney - The murder of well-known political and business leader Bill Gwatney stuns Arkansas. Schools - Legislators revisit school funding as test scores show improvement. Jobs - Big employment gains and losses continue across the state. Retirement - And a longtime judge plans to leave the state's highest bench.
August 8, 2008
Lu, He probed he could build bridges. Can he re-build them? We'll ask him. Dobbins, A Democratic nominee's erstwhile colleagues burn his bridge back to the House. Dollars, If a recession is coming it hasn't come to Arkansas so far. Obama, nor has the Democratic presidential nominee.
August 1, 2008
Lu-CA - Mid-summer's big story. It means new attention for it's principal's counterparts. GFC - A state agency gives up its gas and gives other parties heartburn. 21st Century - A plan to gear government for the future, old wine or a promising vine? Veep? - A lot of people thought it was a sure shot, even if it was always a long shot.
