Tuesday, February 20, 2007 - 17:03:45
The Jonesboro Sun has an article today outlining Congressman Berry's recent comments on the 2007 farm bill:
As far as predicting what the next farm bill will look like, Berry said it will be much like the 2002 farm bill, which has been widely accepted by American agriculture. Changes are expected to be conservation programs, and the biggest will be in the money committed to and programs that are directed to alternative fuels generation and production.
The congressman said he has felt the most optimism among America's farmers that he has felt in many years. That optimism, he said, is being driven by higher prices that can be traced directly to alternative fuels production that are providing America "some hope of energy independence"
Tuesday, February 20, 2007 - 16:06:04
A friend of mine pointed me to this recent Op-Ed piece in the New York Times regarding the hope in passing a more progressive farm bill.
Give it a look:
Thursday, February 01, 2007 - 15:14:12
The Southern Good Faith Fund has
published a report on how we can adequately fund Higher Education for ALL Arkansas. In consideration of the previous post noting that Arkansas is ranked 49th in attainment of college degrees, this report is all the more remarkable. It proposes a modest increase in Arkansas's severance tax on natural gas extraction and the creation of a Higher Education Trust Fund.
Thursday, February 01, 2007 - 15:09:32
Representative Steve Harrelson has
an excellent post today on his legislative blog
Under the Dome, containing maps representing our state's ranking in many interesting economic and social indicators. Some points to ponder are that we rank 50th in Poverty, 49th in households with computers, and 49th in College Attainment.
Monday, January 29, 2007 - 18:54:45
The
Forrest City Times Heareld has a very interesting story today regarding the proposed construction of a natural gas pipeline to stretch from Conway County across east Arkansas. A public meeting will be heald January 31st for area residents.
Monday, January 29, 2007 - 18:47:27
The
Arkadelphia Siftings Hearald has a story today on the discovery of three dead bald eagles this winter on Lake DeGrey. You may remember that there was a much larger die-off some years ago. That event is also discussed.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 14:54:24
The
Harrison Daily Times reports that upon taking a survey of the wants and needs of its citizenry, the Green Forest committee working to build an application to become an Arkansas Community of Excellence found that citizens:
...were most proud that the town was family centered and safe and secure. They wanted a small-town atmosphere that is safe and friendly.
At the same time, they wanted good jobs, nice restaurants, big box stores like Wal-Mart or Target and a major community center like Berryville’s.
Mayor Richard Deweese noted that to draw the amenities they wanted, Green Forest would have to become a bigger town.
This is why it is so vital that a community have strong leadership in its local government.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 14:47:15
There are lots of stories out there regarding ten year plans for school districts.
From the
Log Cabin Democrat we have a report on the Guy Perkins plan.
From the
Ashley County Ledger we have the Hamburg plan.
And from the
Johnson County Graphic, we have the Westside School District plan.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 14:38:10
The Baxter Bulletin has a scathing little editorial on the conduct of former governor Huckabee. They want to know what he had to hide on all of those hard drives. They also question his candidacy for President.
Monday, January 22, 2007 - 15:08:04
The town of Beaver Arkansas (near Eureka Springs) has learned that they are finalists for The Department of Parks and Tourism's Heritage Award. According to the article in the
Carroll County News, the community was able to convince the Arkansas Highway Department to continue to maintain their one-lane bridge over (can't remember which lake that is).
If you've never seen or driven across the bridge, you're missing a real treat. Its a cable suspension bridge with wooden planks across the full expanse. You have to watch the stoplight on each end in order to know when its o.k. to cross. Then once you start across, the bridge has a sort of up and down sway to it. My favorite part though is the sound of your tires as they roll across the planks. I only wish they hadn't painted it that hideous color yellow. Its much more garish in person.
For more photos of the bridge, go
here.
