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As if we needed further proof the “good ole boy Arkansas Democrat machine’ is still operative consider the recent antics of our partisan governor.
Just a few months ago the chief executive of our state attempted to have Arkansas be the poster child on how to follow the roadmap to bring a state into complete compliance with Obamacare. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to show the other states that Arkansas can be a real leader? Only two problems our governor seemed to overlook. First of all some 60 to 70 percent of Arkansans do not want any part of Obamacare. Secondly, with the strong showing of Republicans and the Tea Party in the 2010 elections, it became more difficult to simply ramrod through the governor’s wishes.
When the legislature stopped this mad rush for spending millions of dollars for compliance to Obamacare, other Democrat legislators are desperately trying to push ahead with an insurance exchange for Arkansas. This would be an important step in implementing the very expensive elements of Obamacare.
As noted in a recent issue of Arkansas Business Rep. Barry Hyde (D), North Little Rock along with others is pushing for a state insurance exchange but recognizes this must be approved by the state Legislature. Rep. Hyde said if Arkansas doesn’t run its own exchange the federal government will run one for the state. Just how naïve can one legislator be? Does Rep. Hyde really believe by acting now Arkansas can set up its exchange by our own wishes? Evidently he needs reminding that Obamacare is a federal program and any plan submitted by any state will be required and demanded to meet the provisions of the 2400 page federal law.
Our governor chimed in with his own sour grapes comments when the legislature refused his request for proceeding with Obamacare. His comment was that it seems clear that the legislature wants the federal government to make the rules and regulations for our state. Yeah! Right! As if they won’t do so anyway.
Rep. Mark Biviano (R) Searcy is opposed to creating an insurance exchange in Arkansas now. First he says we are moving too fast as the deadline is January 1, 2014 and why spend the money when the Supreme Court may overturn the whole shebang. In addition he states it is unclear what the cost would be and what if any would be the benefits to the citizens of the state of Arkansas.
This little episode by our governor is dwarfed by his attempt to pick the top education executive for the state of Arkansas. Going back to the election of 2010 our governor ran on the Democrat ticket with his good buddy Shane Broadway. It seems Mr. Broadway needed the job because his time was up as a legislator.
The voters of Arkansas, being a contrary bunch, didn’t go along with this cozy little plan of putting Mr. Broadway into the Lt. Governor’s seat. Never mind Mr. Broadway, our governor will find a place for you somewhere in the tangled vines of government jobs.
When Director of Education Jim Percell left our state to head up higher education in Louisiana in 2010, Broadway became interim Director of Education for Arkansas. Thus he became Governor Beebe’s choice for full time director and Beebe tried to slip him into this position.
Not so fast said some of the Republican lawmakers and leading the charge against this appointment via the Board’s approval was Republican lawmakers, English and Kerr. It seems Arkansas code annotated 6-61-203 requires that the Director of Higher Education “shall be an experienced educator in the field of higher education… The director and key staff must have relevant experience on a campus of higher education.”
So how did our governor and his underlings react to this clear and specific law concerning requirements for any applicant?
They said all this was simply a matter of semantics as to the qualifications for the state’s top educator. Let’s examine Broadway’s resume.
He was a consultant to the Saline County Economic Development Fund and from then on he spent his time in politics or political appointments. There is not a hint of education experience in his background.
When it became obvious the governor had stepped outside the law, Matt DeCample, the governor’s spokesperson on anything controversial, came up with a real jewel. He explained they thought they had found the right person in Broadway and besides they were very interested in saving the taxpayers’ money as it can be quite expensive to conduct a wide ranging search. Even my 10 year old grandson could come up with a more logical excuse.
But all is not lost said the Governor. Let’s get an opinion from my good buddy and fellow Democrat operative, Attorney General McDaniel. Oops! Even that backfired.
The usually reliable Attorney General couldn’t go against a law so clearly written. McDaniel pointed out the legal requirements for the director’s job aren’t optional; they’re mandatory. These requirements are the law.
When confronted by the obvious Matt DeCample and the bunch came up with another jewel. All of this is moot says the governor and his administration since Broadway has taken his name out of consideration because of personal reasons.
If you believe having our highest elected official operate outside the law is acceptable, then I would agree this whole mess should be immediately forgotten.
It causes one to wonder how many other shady appointments and political deals have been orchestrated by this administration that we know nothing about. Probably many more will become apparent but our best defense against this is to crush the good ole boy machine in the election of 2012.
(Jerry Jackson of Heber Springs writes his “conservative viewpoint” column each Wednesday)
As if we needed further proof the “good ole boy Arkansas Democrat machine’ is still operative consider the recent antics of our partisan governor.
Just a few months ago the chief executive of our state attempted to have Arkansas be the poster child on how to follow the roadmap to bring a state into complete compliance with Obamacare. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to show the other states that Arkansas can be a real leader? Only two problems our governor seemed to overlook. First of all some 60 to 70 percent of Arkansans do not want any part of Obamacare. Secondly, with the strong showing of Republicans and the Tea Party in the 2010 elections, it became more difficult to simply ramrod through the governor’s wishes.
When the legislature stopped this mad rush for spending millions of dollars for compliance to Obamacare, other Democrat legislators are desperately trying to push ahead with an insurance exchange for Arkansas. This would be an important step in implementing the very expensive elements of Obamacare.
As noted in a recent issue of Arkansas Business Rep. Barry Hyde (D), North Little Rock along with others is pushing for a state insurance exchange but recognizes this must be approved by the state Legislature. Rep. Hyde said if Arkansas doesn’t run its own exchange the federal government will run one for the state. Just how naïve can one legislator be? Does Rep. Hyde really believe by acting now Arkansas can set up its exchange by our own wishes? Evidently he needs reminding that Obamacare is a federal program and any plan submitted by any state will be required and demanded to meet the provisions of the 2400 page federal law.
Our governor chimed in with his own sour grapes comments when the legislature refused his request for proceeding with Obamacare. His comment was that it seems clear that the legislature wants the federal government to make the rules and regulations for our state. Yeah! Right! As if they won’t do so anyway.
Rep. Mark Biviano (R) Searcy is opposed to creating an insurance exchange in Arkansas now. First he says we are moving too fast as the deadline is January 1, 2014 and why spend the money when the Supreme Court may overturn the whole shebang. In addition he states it is unclear what the cost would be and what if any would be the benefits to the citizens of the state of Arkansas.
This little episode by our governor is dwarfed by his attempt to pick the top education executive for the state of Arkansas. Going back to the election of 2010 our governor ran on the Democrat ticket with his good buddy Shane Broadway. It seems Mr. Broadway needed the job because his time was up as a legislator.
The voters of Arkansas, being a contrary bunch, didn’t go along with this cozy little plan of putting Mr. Broadway into the Lt. Governor’s seat. Never mind Mr. Broadway, our governor will find a place for you somewhere in the tangled vines of government jobs.
When Director of Education Jim Percell left our state to head up higher education in Louisiana in 2010, Broadway became interim Director of Education for Arkansas. Thus he became Governor Beebe’s choice for full time director and Beebe tried to slip him into this position.
Not so fast said some of the Republican lawmakers and leading the charge against this appointment via the Board’s approval was Republican lawmakers, English and Kerr. It seems Arkansas code annotated 6-61-203 requires that the Director of Higher Education “shall be an experienced educator in the field of higher education… The director and key staff must have relevant experience on a campus of higher education.”
So how did our governor and his underlings react to this clear and specific law concerning requirements for any applicant?
They said all this was simply a matter of semantics as to the qualifications for the state’s top educator. Let’s examine Broadway’s resume.
He was a consultant to the Saline County Economic Development Fund and from then on he spent his time in politics or political appointments. There is not a hint of education experience in his background.
When it became obvious the governor had stepped outside the law, Matt DeCample, the governor’s spokesperson on anything controversial, came up with a real jewel. He explained they thought they had found the right person in Broadway and besides they were very interested in saving the taxpayers’ money as it can be quite expensive to conduct a wide ranging search. Even my 10 year old grandson could come up with a more logical excuse.
But all is not lost said the Governor. Let’s get an opinion from my good buddy and fellow Democrat operative, Attorney General McDaniel. Oops! Even that backfired.
The usually reliable Attorney General couldn’t go against a law so clearly written. McDaniel pointed out the legal requirements for the director’s job aren’t optional; they’re mandatory. These requirements are the law.
When confronted by the obvious Matt DeCample and the bunch came up with another jewel. All of this is moot says the governor and his administration since Broadway has taken his name out of consideration because of personal reasons.
If you believe having our highest elected official operate outside the law is acceptable, then I would agree this whole mess should be immediately forgotten.
It causes one to wonder how many other shady appointments and political deals have been orchestrated by this administration that we know nothing about. Probably many more will become apparent but our best defense against this is to crush the good ole boy machine in the election of 2012.
(Jerry Jackson of Heber Springs writes his “conservative viewpoint” column each Wednesday)
