June 24-30, 2009

It was a GOOD week for …

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The ENVIRONMENT. The state Court of Appeals ruled that SWEPCO shouldn’t have been issued a construction permit for a coal-fired generating plant in Hempstead County.

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HIGH-STAKES GAMBLING. SWEPCO said it will appeal the power plant ruling and keep pouring millions into construction in hopes that the Supreme Court won’t have the courage to disallow a nearly-built plant.

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PUBLIC HEALTH. A new state law took effect that makes failure to wear a seat belt a primary offense. That is, people not wearing them may be ticketed only for that, not incidentally after a stop for another violation.

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U.S. REP. VIC SNYDER. Alone among the Arkansas House delegation, he voted for legislation aimed at reducing greenhouse gases.

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The LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL BOARD. It was united in hiring a consulting group to develop a plan to improve district management and raise student achievement.

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GOV. MIKE BEEBE. His influential voice was added to those who think the new state lottery shouldn’t include state-licensed keno parlors along with ticket sales. The new law, by indirect reference, allows keno. Some legislators clearly had contemplated the casino-style game as part of the lineup of offerings, a fact overlooked by most during the debate.

It was a BAD week for …

 

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CIRCUIT JUDGE WILLARD PROCTOR. A state disciplinary panel voted 9-0 that he should be removed from the bench for unethical behavior highlighted in a series of articles in the Arkansas Times. He will continue to work while the state Supreme Court considers the recommendation.

 

TURTLES. Despite a declining commercial harvest and a move away from trapping in other states, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission shows reluctance to limit the turtle harvest. Commissioner Craig Campbell grumped about testimony from out-of-state experts in support of a turtle harvest ban and suggested it was the leading edge of an attack on hunting and fishing.

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