Arkansas Blog

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.