It tells you all you need to know that rising legislative leaders Robbie Willis, the coming House speaker, and Death Star Bob Johnson, the coming Senate pro tem, voted FOR annual legislative sessions.

A veteran legislator of my acquaintance was lamenting the vote yesterday. It will add exponentially to legislative power in a system already tilted toward the legislative. It will mean annual jerking around of state agency heads for petty offenses to legislators and their favored constituents. It will produce an even-year barrage of election-oriented resolutions and nonsense. It will cost a lot more money, insignificant perhaps against the larger budget, but very real. Legislators are already talking abut their need for a major pay raise. Smaller government? This isn’t it. Strange vote by voters, if not by Wills and Johnson.

Advertisement

(My legislative friend adds that Arkansas may never have had a governor better equipped to do battle with the legislature in this new time. “Battle” isn’t perhaps the best word to apply to Mike Beebe’s considerable negotiation and persuasion skills. But he fears the future.)

Invest in the future of great journalism in Arkansas

Join the ranks of the 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts who know that the Arkansas Times is the go-to source for tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been on the front lines of the fight for truth, and with your support, we can do even more. By subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers and expand our coverage. Don't miss out on the opportunity to make a difference with your subscription or donation to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article A & E news, Nov. 6 Next article Lottery opponents to fight on UPDATE