Saturday, May 19, 2012
SNL
I got nothing else. You?
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Arkansas Politics Lopsided money race for state Supreme Court
Robocalling in behalf of state Supreme Court candidate Raymond Abramson, which I mentioned yesterday, prompted me to look at the last campaign finance reports to be filed before the election Tuesday between him and fellow Court of Appeals Judge Jo Hart.
Abramson, of Holly Grove, who got off to an early start, holds a commanding lead in money. He's raised $315,000 from contributors and has spent $356,000, covering the overruns with $44,000 in personal loans.
Hart, of Mountain View, has raised only $44,000, but she's spent $159,000, thanks to personal loans of $115,000.
Contributions on both sides come from all points on the partisan spectrum, though Abramson's business establishment preference seems clear. Hart has received a small Democratic Party contribution from the local county committee and a touch of union PAC money.
As others have noted, Hart may run with judge affixed to her name on the ballot. Abramson, serving by appointment, cannot. In the year of a gender gap at the top of the national ticket, I'm not sure it isn't a plus to be a female candidate this year. Though underfinanced, Hart has managed to place her TV well enough that I've seen it a lot. Her crusty pitch about being a retired Army "full bird colonel" has a no-nonsense appeal. Abramson's warm biographical pitch, emphasis on small-town values, is good, too.
It's safe to say percentage vote results in this race won't track campaign contributions.
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Congress the obstacle to fixing the U.S. Postal Service
The problem isn't unions, by the way, it's Congress. Yes, losses are currently large, he writes in the New York Times. But:
On the other hand, its pension is overfunded to the tune of around $11 billion. It is also required by law to make an annual payment of nearly $5.5 billion to prepay for health benefits for future retirees, a mandate imposed on no other company — or government agency — in America. Simply ending that onerous prefunding requirement and reclaiming the excess pension money would go a long way toward shrinking the losses.It could also close money-losing rural post offices and outsource the work to the local general store. It could shrink its work force. It could end Saturday delivery. It could raise prices, which are among the lowest in the world. It could take steps, in other words, to get its costs under control, just like any other business grappling with red ink.
The union people are on board with workforce reductions. But Congress can't stop meddling, Nocera writes. Close a postoffice? Congress goes nuts.
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Arkansas Politics Whose side are you on in 4th District GOP primary?
The Wall Street Journal today has a feature on the 4th District Republican primary race between Beth Anne Rankin and Tom Cotton (and also, incidentally, John Cowart). The article (pay wall) pitches the race as one between a candidate backed by Mike Huckabee (Rankin, a former employee of the ex-governor) and Cotton, a Club for Growth candidate (nearly $200,000 in funneled Club money last I looked).
Huckabee or Club for Growth, the anti-tax lobby heavily funded by Jackson T. Stephens Jr. of Little Rock? One of those devil-or-the-deep-blue-sea choices.
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Friday, May 18, 2012
Week in Review Podcast The Act Right Edition
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Let the eagle soar
- Brian Chilson
- NOT SO COOL POOL: The swimming pool at the Jim Dailey War Memorial Fitness Center is looking a little rough — literally — at the moment, thanks to a $73,000 repair job that Parks and Recreation hired out after a Health Department inspection. The bottom of the pool had cracks and there was peeling paint, director Truman Tolefree said; Harrison Contracting is replastering the surface and fixing a slide. Ever the optimist, Tolefree said the pool — a real gem in the parks system — should be open by Memorial Day, May 28.
Another week done. Final words:
* NO CONFIDENCE: The unions that once represented employees in the Pulaski County School District have voted unanimously a "no confidence" statement on Superintendent Jerry Guess and Arkansas Education Director Tom Kimbrell for busting their unions. I feel their pain. But this is pointless. A lawsuit will restore them as a bargaining agent or it won't. And the unions have plenty of improvident administration actions in recent years to cite in explaining the district's distressed state. But, year in and year out, personnel costs are No. 1 and some givebacks were coming sooner or later. They should have given back more when they still had a chance.
* REPORT MISSING: The Federal Election Commission today said it had cited D.C. Morrison, alleged Democratic candidate for 4th District Congress, for failure to file a 12-day pre-election campaign finance report. He has bought some TV time recently.
* TROUBLE IN THE 'HOOD: UAMS dispatch: "Little Rock Police are investigating a rash of vehicle break-ins near the main UAMS campus, Freeway Medical and in a neighborhood near the campus. Employees and students are reminded to lock their vehicles and take precautions to secure any items in their vehicles. All valuables – items such as cell phones, purses, computers, GPS units – should not be left in view. In addition, please be alert to your surroundings for any suspicious activity."
* THE VAST RIGHT-WING CONSPIRACY: I wrote earlier about the Republican/Democrat-Gazette effort to pump the fringe candidacy of nominal Democrat John Wolfe in the presidential primary. Scoff at my theory if you wish. But add to the promotional bill a Wolfe appearance on Mike Huckabee's Fox News show tomorrow. That ought to be good for Page One in the DOG, too, don't you think? If Monroe Schwarzlose had gotten this kind of free publicity, he'd have beaten Bill Clinton way back when.
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Law Asa! Robocalling for Supreme Court candidate Abramson
It's not real surprising. Hutchinson has been a financial supporter of Abramson.
I was just curious about the script. I remember 2010 and the blatant appeal to partisan politics in the robocall made by Mike Huckabee in behalf of Rhonda Woods. She was a candidate for state Court of Appeals and played the Republican card repeatedly in her losing race against Jo Hart in 2010.
Did somebody say Court of Appeals Judge Jo Hart? Yes, that's Abramson's opponent this year and thus, yet again, the target of a high profile Republican's robocalling.
I don't have the script, but Hutchinson tells me it's just positive remarks about Abrahamson and what I've heard bears that out. It lists Abramson's legal experience and lauds his common sense, humility and belief in "strict interpretation of the law." Said Hutchinson: "I met with him and liked him. I liked his spirit and his humbleness. He practiced law in a small town like I have. He has terrific judicial temperament."
Hutchinson said his call made no reference to partisan politics (except that he identifies himself as a former congressman) and didn't know if the call was being used generally or targeted to voters identified as Republican leaning. He said he wouldn't inject party politics into such a call.
"I would not do that. I worked hard for nonpartisan election of judges and I want to keep them nonpartisan."
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Law Circuit judge's Walmart altercation under review
Circuit Judge Sam Pope of Hamburg faces review by the state Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission for a physical altercation with his ex-wife and a male friend April 5 in the Crossett Walmart.
No charges will be filed as a result of the dispute, Crossett Police Chief Tommy Sturgeon said Friday. "Neither party wanted to file charges," he said.
Judge Pope returned my call, but declined to discuss specifics of the incident. "I'm going through a divorce and our lawyers are working on it and I don't want to make any statement except through my lawyer," he said.
With the investigation closed, the Walmart security video of the altercation should be available. Sturgeon said his only copy was in the hands of Prosecutor Thomas Deen of Monticello. Deen has not yet returned my call about the case. Sturgeon said the video wasn't that great. He said it lacked audio to show what was said among the combatants, though it did show some contact between Pope and the others.
The Crossett police report indicates that Pope, 58, greeted Bill Murray, 57, of Crossett, with the words "Hello, ass" when he saw him with his ex-wife Gale Zimmerman in the Walmart. Murray replied "Hello, ass" and the two began fighting. Pope complained that his wife had struck him three times and he wanted to press charges. Walmart security separated Pope and Murray, the police report says, and when police arrived, Pope reportedly "kept trying to get to Bill Murray," who "had blood on both sides of his face." Police arrested both men at the store, but released them shortly after when both agreed to not press charges. No citations were issued.
David Sachar, deputy executive director of the Judicial Commission, said his agency can comment only to the extent of confirming a review of a matter that has otherwise become publicly known, as this one has. "The Commission has opened a case file on the circumstances you described. The judge certainly has a right to a fair hearing and all procedural safeguards will be followed. No other public information is available at this time."
Among others, judicial conduct rules require judges to act in ways that promote public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary.
The domestic dispute has been ongoing. The Ashley News Observer reported in March that the sheriff's office was called about a number of items taken from Pope's home while he was on a mission trip in Central America, but an investigator concluded it was "likely the result of a domestic dispute and pending divorce." Missing items include artwork, books, a bookshelf, outdoor iron and wicker furniture, glasses, silverware, dining table, 200-piece set of china, living room furniture, desk and gun closet holding rifles, shotguns, pistols, gun stocks and scopes.
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Corporate welfare Curt Schilling, GOP small govt. man, seeks taxpayer welfare
Rich. Curt Schilling, well-paid major league pitcher and long-time advocate of small government and personal responsibility as a campaign shill for Republican presidential candidates, has his hand out for Rhode Island corporate welfare to prop up his ailing video game company, in apparent default on state loans.
Hypocrite of the day, if not the month.
From the story:
“We got hoodwinked; we got played,” Republican state Representative Robert Watson told the Globe. “How many millions of dollars does Curt Schilling have? He can’t write a check? It’s Rhode Island that is supposed to provide the money? I think not.”
They aren't the first government to get played. Happens in Arkansas all the time, including by a current wannabe Republican politician who stung our government development agency. He, too, warbles a hypocritical tune about the glories of free enterprise. I guess it's free when you don't pay back your loans.
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Arkansas Sports Jeff Long is staying put at Arkansas
Forget the Stanford boomlet for UA athletic director Jeff Long. This statement from F'ville:
The following statement is from University of Arkansas Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long:“Although I do not consider it appropriate to discuss the personnel searches of other universities or colleges, I feel it’s important to address recent speculation about me and the athletics director position at another prestigious institution. Although I can’t be responsible for what others are saying or thinking, I do know that I am not interested in leaving the University of Arkansas. My interest and commitment continues to be providing leadership to the University of Arkansas and to Razorback athletics at this critical time in our program’s history.”
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Why hasn't Mark Martin thought of this?
Arizona secretary of state is thinking of barring Barack Obama from the ballot because he's not convinced he's U.S.-born.
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Arkansas unemployment rate continues to drop
We're still headed the right direction. Arkansas unemployment rate in April was 7.2 percent, down from 7.4 percent the month before. The size of the labor force grew.
The Republican attack machine will shortly explain why this is bad news.
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Little Rock Government Richardson seeks to protect Tech Park neighborhood
A blog reader last night mentioned and I've since received a copy of Director Richardson's memo asking City Attorney Tom Carpenter to draft an ordinance that would prohibit spending of any city money on legal action to take residential property for the Little Rock Technology Park through eminent domain.
Richardson also wants the city to demand full compliance with the state FOI law and for financial interest statements of board members to be filed at a central location. He wants Tech Park money (virtually all from city taxpayers) deposited in a local bank. Key phrase:
Emphasizing that no city revenues, whether traceable to sales tax revenues or otherwise, may be provided to or expended on behalf of the Little Rock Technology Park Authority, whether directly or indirectly, for the purpose of displacing any residents of a residential neighborhood within the City of Little Rock.
The neighborhoods targeted for removal for the Chamber's taxpayer-financed tech park voted overwhelmingly against the sales tax that has provided $22 million for their doom (and documents show the chamber expects nearly double that amount to be spent eventually in taxpayer money). Will only their elected representative stand up for them? I'd predict Richardson, should he bring this to a vote, musters no more than four votes of the 11 possible, counting the mayor (as one of the 11, not as a no vote). Two is more likely. I'd expect the mayor to push hard for his Parisian dining partner and Chamber exec Jay Chesshir's vision of a neighborhood denuded of homes for the glory of an office building.
There's another way to do this. The Central Arkansas Library System acquired property nearby for a children's library without exercising eminent domain. The library is, of course, also building a facility with obvious benefits to the neighborhood. The neighborhood is being served, rather than just being viewed as an impediment by the silk stocking crowd that now controls their destiny. (I know: just wait for the trickle-down on the trickled-upon when this tech park is realized. Just don't let the boosters point you to Richmond, Va., as a success story. Its park didn't enjoy a similar city subsidy and it's hurting and begging for new subsidies now.)
What if you acquired small chunks of land voluntarily and included some neighborhood improvements — bike trails and amenities that might attract the young techsters, as well as housing rehab — as sweeteners? Start small and build as demand dictates. What if the board with decision-making power represented the entire public, instead of three of seven direct from the Chamber of Commerce and all fellow business establishment travelers from the Heights and Chenal Valley (plus Death Star Bob Johnson from Bigelow)? Maybe it would then enjoy the record of success and trust that the library system enjoys.
Bobby Roberts for mayor. Meanwhile, Richardson's memo:
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Arkansas Sports UPDATE: Arkansas's Jeff Long mentioned for Stanford athletic director
Well. Two things:
* Should this come to pass, watch the fastest and most vicious hero-to-goat moment in Arkansas athletic history.
* The Farm, as Stanford was once known for being the former pastoral acreage of one of California's legendary robber barons, is a nice place to study and work, I can testify as a Stanford grad school dropout. It's thoroughly private. No FOI to worry about. The athletes HAVE to be students, too, given admission standards and class rigor. Money? Look around. Ever heard of Silicon Valley? NY Times happens to have described the low-profile billionaires there today.
Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s chief executive, sets the tone at the company with his trademark rumpled hoodies that display no obvious brand name. He spent $7 million on a large but nondescript home in Palo Alto, a suburb so expensive that even a small, no-frills house easily goes for $1.5 million these days.
Presumably, the Stanford AD would get a paycheck big enough to afford a bungalow, at least in East Palo Alto. Here, Stanford Daily backgrounds its opening. West Virginia's Oliver Luck had been mentioned as a candidate, but he said yesterday he's staying put.
UPDATE FROM STEPHENS MEDIA: UA Chancellor David Gearhart says he's sure Long isn't going anywhere.
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Arkansas Politics Texarkana's tax break — another state subsidy
A legislative committee is reviewing the state tax structure — rates, breaks, exemptions and so forth.
Rep. Davy Carter, the chair, is undertaking this in good faith to produce a base of reasoned judgments about inequities in the system.
Hah! Good luck with that. The special pleaders didn't get their special treatment by accident. The Tea Party accepts no view of taxation except that it must be lower, particularly for those best able to pay. Nothing rational will come of all this.
Interesting details, nonetheless. It is a 'bagger article of faith that the income tax rate here is ruinous, particularly on corporations. Figures show that individuals account for more than six times the income tax burden that corporations pay — $2.6 billion to $423 million. I await an examination of how much income tax some of the big multinational corporations actually pay in Arkansas, if any, after the accounting tricks available to them under Arkansas law.
And here's an interesting tidbit:Texarkana, Ark., residents pay no income tax at all. They got an exemption in the 1970s because of the cry that it woud ruin the border town to have an income tax while Texas had none. That exemption costs Arkansas $20 million a year. The added 1-cent sales tax in Texarkana reaps $4 million — a $16 million annual subsidy by all taxpayers of Arkansas to Texarkana residents.
Has that tax break been beneficial? You tell me. More people still choose to live on the Texas side (37,104 to 30,222 in Arkansas, according to Census data.)
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Event Calendar
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Re: A Latino voice speaks up in Little Rock School District
Shame on you , central AR for continuing the 53 year old tradition of putting…
- on May 19, 2012
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Re: SNL
That's a good one HHW. Read it earlier today. Sad
"Think Tanks Push…- on May 19, 2012
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Re: SNL
Former Arkansas Gazette reporter and current University of Southern Mississippi professor David Davies tied the…
- on May 19, 2012
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May 19, 2012The first ever graduation class of eStem Public Charter School recieve their diplomas with one less classmate. fox16.com /more/ -
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