By Caleb Taylor What changes to civil asset forfeiture in Arkansas were made during the recent legislative session? ACRE Research and Program Assistant Zach Burt analyzed “The Arkansas Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 2021,” also known as Act 1023 in “Need better law” in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on June 5th. Burt defines civil asset […]
ACRE Review
Horpedahl To Speak at Conway Noon Lions Club
By Caleb Taylor How has the pandemic affected the local economy? ACRE Scholar and UCA Associate Professor of Economics Dr. Jeremy Horpedahl will discuss the latest economic data on Conway and Faulkner County as an invited guest speaker of the Conway Noon Lions Club at the Hole In the Wall Cafe at noon on Tuesday, […]
Arkansas Policy Recommendations: Political Transparency
By Caleb Taylor How can Arkansas counties improve their political transparency? In their latest research, “Arkansas Policy Recommendations: Political Transparency,” ACRE Policy Analysts Joyce Ajayi and Dr. Mavuto Kalulu discuss how county elected officials can improve the transparency of their quorum court meetings. Ajayi and Kalulu begin by noting that some Arkansas counties still don’t […]
Arkansas Policy Recommendations: Procurement Transparency
By Caleb Taylor How can Arkansas counties and school districts improve their procurement transparency? In their latest research, “Arkansas Policy Recommendations: Procurement Transparency,” ACRE Policy Analysts Joyce Ajayi and Dr. Mavuto Kalulu discuss how counties and school districts can improve the web transparency of their finances. Ajayi and Kalulu begin by noting that “Arkansas has […]
ACRE Director Discusses Legislative Session
By Caleb Taylor ACRE Director and UCA Professor of Economics Dr. David Mitchell joined Americans for Prosperity-Arkansas on May 20th to discuss some of ACRE’s work in the recent legislative session. Mitchell said ACRE experts speak to legislators and community groups “to show what the data actually shows on a variety of issues.” Mitchell said: […]
Arkansas Policy Recommendations: Elected Officials’ Salaries Transparency
By Caleb Taylor How many county governments publish the salaries of their elected officials? In their latest research, “Elected Officials’ Salaries Transparency,” ACRE Policy Analysts Joyce Ajayi and Dr. Mavuto Kalulu discuss this and ways county governments can improve their online transparency. Ajayi and Kalulu begin by noting that only two counties in Arkansas publish […]
Improve Economic Opportunities by Ending Fee-Only Licenses
By Caleb Taylor Should Arkansas eliminate many fee-only licenses? The 2019 Arkansas Legislature passed Act 600, mandating sunset reviews of every licensed occupation in Arkansas. “Occupational Licensing and Arkansas’s Act 600,” by ACRE Policy Analyst Alex Kanode discusses the reforms and missed opportunities of the Arkansas Legislative Council’s Occupational Licensing Review Subcommittee’s first round of […]
Smith Testifies on Shampooing De-Licensure Bill
By Caleb Taylor ACRE Legislative Research Associate Dr. Nathan Smith recently testified in favor of legislation removing barriers to work to certain cosmetology workers House Bill 1746 delicenses shampooers and exempts those who provide “simple” hairstyling services from being required to complete 1500 training hours to get a cosmetology license. Smith said at a House […]
Mitchell, Smith Discuss Taxes and LTRF on Dave Elswick Show
By Caleb Taylor What’s the latest news on taxes and spending policies in Arkansas? ACRE Director and UCA Associate Professor of Economics Dr. David Mitchell and ACRE Legislative Research Associate Dr. Nathan Smith joined the Dave Elswick Show on 101.1 FM in Little Rock to answer this and more on Monday, April 26th. Smith recommended […]
Tax Incentive Bill Unwise Use of Funds, Says ACRE Researcher
By Caleb Taylor ACRE Legislative Research Associate Nathan Smith recently testified against legislation expanding tax credits for some businesses in Arkansas. Smith said the bill would be “basically just a giveaway of millions of dollars a year to shareholders of these companies.” Senate Bill 543 sponsored by State Sen. David Wallace and State Rep. Joe […]