The lobbyists are out in full force.  Rep. John Dismang’s bill to limit the ability of gas producers to claim eminent domain in order to build their pipelines comes up before the agriculture committee tomorrow in the House.  You can learn more about the bill here and here, or just read it for yourself.  Chesapeake is sending out robocalls telling locals to call Dismang and express their opposition.  Dismang said he has called each constituent  back and says that once he explained his position and what the bill was really about, they ended up agreeing with him. 

“This issue is basically asking the question: which side are our legislators on?  Are they for the big gas companies, or are they for the citizens of Arkansas?” Dismang said. 

Advertisement

Easy question. Gas producers haven’t lost many votes at the Arkansas legislature, not since Witt Stephens came along a half-century ago. The recent gas severance tax increase was a rare harmonic convergence, a loss that the producers don’t intend to see repeated. Noted: Dismang didn’t help his clout in the House by being part of the tiny opposition to the broadly popular tobacco tax for health programs.                

Arkansas Times: Your voice in the fight

Are you tired of watered-down news and biased reporting? The Arkansas Times has been fighting for truth and justice for 50 years. As an alternative newspaper in Little Rock, we are tough, determined, and unafraid to take on powerful forces. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, we are making a difference. But we can't do it without you. Join the 3,400 paid subscribers who support our great journalism and help us hire more writers. Sign up for a subscription today or make a donation of as little as $1 and help keep the Arkansas Times feisty for years to come.

Previous article 7,000s, do I hear 6? Next article As Tricky said …