You think Sen. Bill Sample of Hot Springs hasn’t gotten the support he desired from the lobby groups for city and county governments?

I’d say so. And he’s getting even. Up in Joint Retirement Committee this morning is his SB 169 to toss current and former employees of the Arkansas Municipal League and the Association of Arkansas Counties out of the state retirement system.

Advertisement

Sen. Bart Hester, heir of Bob Johnson’s Death Star mantle for a nearly perfect record for bad legislation, undoubtedly would like to pitch in. The city lobby is (properly) attempting to oppose, or at least water down his SB 757, which would gut zoning laws in Arkansas.

UPDATE: Sample did not seek a vote on the bill after all. That might have been the last meeting of the committee for the session, so those retirement plans are safe. That doesn’t other means of payback isn’t possible.

Advertisement

50 years of fearless reporting and still going strong

Be a part of something bigger and join the fight for truth by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been tackling powerful forces through our tough, determined, and feisty journalism. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 email subscribers, it's clear that our readers value our commitment to great journalism. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing or donating – as little as $1 –, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be supporting our efforts to hire more writers and expand our coverage. Take a stand with the Arkansas Times and make a difference with your subscription or donation today.

Previous article UPDATE: Commission approves big state official pay raises Next article There Jon Woods goes again; more constitutional trickery to restore chamber of commerce subsidies