Arkansas Times

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Muckraking

The Southwest Times Record in Fort Smith is getting some national coverage for reporting on Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn's bill to open up government spending practices -- the out-of-control practice of  "earmarking" is the target. It seems pork king Ted Stevens of Alaska is sitting on Coburn's bill.

And speaking of out-of-control earmarking: Arkansas Business has an excellent article on the subject this week. About how cities and colleges all over Arkansas are hiring Washington lobbyists to insert appropriations in legislation and having success at it. What's a congressman for, if all you need is a hired lobbyist? Well, you need someone to give the campaign contributions to or a staff to wine and dine so that when a lobbyist comes calling, you have somebody beholden in a congressional office to help you out.

Comments

Max, face it. Institutions have to compete for resources, whether an "institution" is defined as a corporation, government agency, municipality or a university.

Why shouldn't cities and colleges in Arkansas be just as aggressive to ensure they get a fair share?

Ahhh, the new normal. Just another hog at the trough.

Hogs at the trough? Of course. If you ain't at the trough you get no slop. If you expect to win you gotta play. I hope that the city of Fort Smith and UAFS both hire a lobbyist...

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Real colleges teach real college courses
Date: 7/17/2008
By: Doug Smith

State Rep. Donna Hutchinson of Bella Vista says that the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff could keep its football team even if UAPB were converted into a two-year community college. /more/

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Date: 7/17/2008
By: Arkansas Times Staff

Arkansas Supreme Court Associate Justice Tom Glaze apparently has decided to retire at the end of 2010. /more/


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