Huh???

Why is it that our Governor vetoes a bill to allow for communities to establish entertainment districts with open containers but he allows a bill to pass (by not signing it) to allow the voters in Hot Springs & West Memphis to vote on allowing expanded gaming at Oaklawn & Southland Greyhound Park?

I find his argument that allowing open containers would make it easier for underage drinking to be totally bogus. If you've ever been in the River Market on a Friday or Saturday night there are a fair amount of police there which I think would deter any underage folks from trying to consume much less walk around in public with a beer in their hand. If Theresa Belew and Arkansas MADD were so concerned with underage drinking (remember the keg deposit bill), why don't they lobby the legislature to increase the fine for a minor in possession (MIP)?

I have a friend who went to college in North Dakota and the fine for a MIP there was rather significant, like around $500. He once got a $35 MIP at a bar in Iowa which he gladly paid on the spot given what he would have to pay if the ticket would have been in ND. Not that I'm trying to give them any new ideas... :)

I just think its pretty inconsistent with the governor's morals to allow the gambling bill to pass but veto this bill which could enhance the tourism of not only Little Rock but Hot Springs, Fayetteville, Eureka Springs and maybe Fort Smith. I think this would be great to continue to encourage development in the River Market district... I believe the main reason that he vetoed this bill was because it didn't pass with enough votes to override his veto when the gambling bill did. I think if they ever want to develop the River Market into a Beale Street or French Quarter type district, a bill like this would be beneficial.

I guess we should be thankful that the legislature is almost done with this session. It seems like we haven't been hit too bad with new taxes/fees/etc like we were in the 2003 session (not including the $600 million tax increase for schools from the special session that went on forever)....

Ok, I'm new at this blog thing and I've been forgetting to post. When I do remember its at a time when I can't post at that time and I don't write down my thoughts for later on....

I am watching Governor Huckabee right now on AETN and I am very pleased by what he is saying on various issues.

He has spoken very harshly about the public school superintendents. He says that he thinks enough is enough. The legislature has greatly increased their funding (I think to the tune of almost a billion dollars) and the still say its not enough. The Governor went to the point of saying that he seriously doubts that any superintendent would ever say that they have enough money.

While I know education is vital the future of our state, as stewards of public funds, the superintendents and administrators of these districts should try to make the most effective use of the public funds and pay the teachers a fair wage and provide them with decent insurance benefits.