Here’s the open line. Also I have another party invite to pass along to the public. Since all the legislature is invited, surely the public won’t be stopped at the door. Also about Leslie Rutledge’s party invite:

Legislators drove a truck-wide hole through efforts to limit freebie wining and dining for public officials by saying any Big Swill events to which all members are invited don’t run afoul of so-called ethics rules. (I do wonder how Rutledge gets host status if a PAC is paying for the event. Doesn’t that amount to an in-kind gift to her?)

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No matter. There is the ethics mulligan rule created by the felonious Jon Woods to cure any ethical hiccups.

In case you’re wondering about the Arkansas First and Finest PAC: It was started by Rutledge’s daddy Keith to hoover up corporate cash for worthy causes (his daughter’s campaign, for example.) According to the highly unreliable secretary of state website, tobacco companies have accounted for $10,000 of the $19,000 the PAC has picked up this year. So it’s probably OK if you mosey out to the veranda during Rutledge’s party and light up.

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And speaking of the inauguration:

I’m sorry to inform you that the black tie ball Tuesday night to kick off Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s second term is sold out. But if you want photos of lobbyists and other celebrities, you can snap photos outside the Statehouse Convention Center Tuesday night.

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There ARE still $20 tickets available for the casual “Red, White and ‘Cue” party Monday night at the Museum of Discovery. It’s from 7 to 9 p.m. and a trolley bus will deliver revelers from Rutledge’s cocktail party and other downtown hotels if the mean streets of Little Rock seem too daunting.

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