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IT WAS A GOOD WEEK FOR …
DELTIC TIMBER CORP. Twenty-two senators, eight more than needed, voted for Deltic’s bill to weaken Central Arkansas Water’s ability to protect Lake Maumelle against pollution. Deltic wants to put a subdivision on the lake and has encountered opposition from the water utility.
SELF-ESTEEM. State Rep. Charles Ormond, D-Morrilton, introduced a constitutional amendment that would put himself at the head of a state-wide gambling corporation.
COVENANT MARRIAGE. Gov. Mike Huckabee and his wife, Janet, upgraded their 30-year standard marriage to a covenant marriage in a ceremony at Alltel Arena. Thousands of other couples recited the same vows, although the Huckabees were the only ones who officially converted their marriage.
FREEDOM OF RELIGION. The Beebe School District announced that stickers discounting evolution theory will be removed from the school district’s science textbooks at the end of the year. The ACLU and the school district negotiated an agreement for removal of the stickers.
THE RAZORBACKS. Before a Walton Arena crowd of more than 20,000, they won their third straight Southeastern Conference game, defeating LSU.
CONVICTS. A bill to more tightly regulate the governor’s power to grant clemency failed to get out of a House committee. Dissatisfaction with controversial clemency decisions by Governor Huckabee had prompted the bill.
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IT WAS A BAD WEEK FOR …
PROTECTING LITTLE ROCK’S WATER. (See above.)
VICTIMS. The U.S. Senate approved a bill to shield businesses from class-action lawsuits, thus making it more difficult for people who’ve been wronged to win compensation. Sen. Blanche Lincoln voted for the bill and against consumers. Sen. Mark Pryor voted the opposite.
ARKANSAS. Former U.S. Rep. Asa Hutchinson, safely out of the state for several years, threatened to return and run for governor.