Bart Hester
Arkansas officials’ security records shielded from public under altered FOIA law
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law Thursday altering the state’s Freedom of Information Act, one of her stated goals of the special legislative session she called for this week. Senate Bill 10, which passed the Senate on Wednesday and the House on Thursday, shields from public access all records and communications concerning the […]
Lawmakers offer narrower change to Arkansas FOIA after bipartisan pushback
After two days of bipartisan backlash against proposed changes to Arkansas’ Freedom of Information Act, lawmakers late Tuesday filed narrower legislation to exempt information related to security services provided to the governor and other state officials. It’s the third attempt in as many business days to alter the state’s 1967 public records law. The first […]
Tidal wave of opposition swamps Arkansas governor’s FOIA battleship
UPDATE: Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester late Monday night introduced a new version of the bill to add exemptions to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. It can be read here. Proposed new exemptions to Arkansas’ Freedom of Information Act drew strong opposition across the political spectrum over the weekend, forcing legislative leaders to scramble […]
Lawmakers, public await promised replacement for controversial Arkansas FOIA legislation
UPDATE: Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester late Monday night introduced a new version of the bill to add exemptions to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. It can be read here. This week’s special session of the Arkansas Legislature, expected to be a smooth-sailing three days, hit a major snag on day one when […]
Arkansas attorney general seeks stay in LEARNS Act restraining order
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin on Tuesday asked the state Supreme Court to lift a lower court’s ruling blocking implementation of the LEARNS Act. A Pulaski County circuit judge on Friday issued a temporary restraining order for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ signature education law. The state quickly filed a notice within hours. Tuesday’s filing by […]
Arkansas panel rejects appeals from complainants against Bureau of Legislative Research
The Arkansas Legislative Council’s executive subcommittee voted to affirm the findings of an investigation into the Bureau of Legislative Research on Monday after two employees filed complaints, though no details about the complaints were made public. The eight-member subcommittee heard testimony in two executive sessions from each complainant and from Bureau Director Marty Garrity. After […]
Arkansas lawmakers conclude work following approval of tax cuts, education legislation
From the state’s first female governor to an overhaul of the state’s education system, the 94th General Assembly brought unprecedented change to Arkansas. After three months of work, lawmakers adjourned Friday and plan to return on May 1 for the official end of the legislative session. “It started with a slow trot and ended with […]
ON THE TRAIL: Republican Brian Hester wants to “try something different” with education
Republican Brian Hester faces incumbent state Rep. David Whitaker, a Democrat, in the race to fill the newly created House District 22. You can find a story about Whitaker here. FARMINGTON — It’s election season, but it’s also volleyball season for Brian Hester, the Republican candidate for House District 22. His daughter plays for Farmington […]