NWAOnline’s Legislative Coverage

Beebe Outlines Tax Increase

LITTLE ROCK — Gov. Mike Beebe proposed raising the state cigarette tax by 56 cents a pack to pay for a statewide trauma system and other health programs and outlined other goals for the legislative session in his state-of-the-state address Tuesday.

Legislature To Tackle Needs In Tough Times

THE MORNING NEWS LITTLE ROCK — The 87th General Assembly convenes Jan. 12 in economic times so uncertain that Gov. Mike Beebe’s fallback plan for balancing the state budget includes using one-time money for ongoing human services needs. Still, the governor will try to push a further reduction in the state sales tax on groceries through the [...]

Legislature: For Beebe, Times Have Changed

By James Jefferson LITTLE ROCK — Mike Beebe began his first legislative session as governor two years ago with the state awash in extra money. This time around, he’ll be pinching pennies. With a surplus close to $1 billion in 2007, Beebe earmarked nearly half for renovating dilapidated public school buildings and equipment and still managed to cut [...]