Campaign Update

We are now required to file monthly reports regarding our fundraising. I want to share my results with you. www.sos.arkansas.gov has the full reports. I will have a new press release on my website soon giving an extended version of the following:

""Democrat L. J. Bryant, of Newport, candidate for the Arkansas State House of Representatives District 58, has raised $19,080.90 in contributions. This amount is 285% greater than the amount 2002 candidates combined reported raising for their efforts to fill the open seat. Bryant has $19,080.90 cash on hand.

In making the announcement, Bryant said “I am both grateful and humbled by this show of local support in Jackson and White County, as well as from friends around the state. This kind of early support represents my ability to work with others and to get things done for our communities. While contributions represent support, votes get you elected. I want to take my message of Putting Experience and Vision to work to every voter of District 58.”"

President Clinton's visit update

Rep. Steve Harrelson reports on his website:

"President Bill Clinton will be in town tomorrow for a speech on behalf of the Clinton campaign. Arkansas High School Cafetorium. 1500 Jefferson Avenue. Texarkana, Arkansas. 1:00 p.m."

Also, Harrelson reports: "He will also speak in Little Rock and Pine Bluff tomorrow."

Snow is here

11:30 AM


9:29 AM

Photos from Governor's visit

http://governor.arkansas.gov/newsroom/gallery.php?do:showPhotoList=1&gallery_id=209

This link has more pictures from the Governor's visit to Newport last week.

Early Voting

Early voting for the Presidential primary is taking place at the Village Mall in Jackson County.

President Clinton may campaign for Hillary Friday in Arkansas

Arkansas Times reports:

"Clinton, Part 2 UPDATE
President Clinton -- we're talking about Bill -- MAY stump for Hillary in Hot Springs on Friday. The Convention and Visitors Bureau there says Clinton will speak in front of the County Courthouse at 1:30 p.m., according to some buzz around HS, but the Clinton campaign says that appearance is not yet confirmed."

see www.arktimes.com/arkansasblog

Super Tuesday Polls

http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/2008/super-duper-tuesday-polls.html

This link has Super Tuesday polls.

Wolves to be Arkansas State's New Mascot

"JONESBORO, AR (KAIT) - The Arkansas State University Mascot Selection Committee has passed a motion to make the Wolves the school's next mascot. "

Hillary Clinton will be in Arkansas tomorrow

From Arkansas News: "LITTLE ROCK - Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., will hold a town hall meeting in North Little Rock on Wednesday, six days ahead of the state's Feb. 5 primary, her campaign staff said Monday."

The picture is from Governor Beebe's endorsement of Senator Clinton in mid 2007.

FOOTAGE FROM THE EVENT: http://arkansasmatters.com/media_player.php?media_id=24477#

Governor Beebe waiting on special session

LITTLE ROCK, AR - Governor Mike Beebe says he won't call a special session to consider raising the state's severance tax on natural gas unless he gets a commitment from the majority of legislators needed to pass such a hike.

Groundbreaking, Ribbon Cutting and Economic Development Announcement

The groundbreaking was held today for the new Transportation Technology Center. ASU Newport has one of the premier truck driving programs in the country. This will only enhance the program. Special guests today included Governor Beebe, Senator Jack Critcher, and Dr. Wyatt (ASU System President). Many other guests were on hand from the State Highway Department and the State Economic Development Commission.

Jon Chadwell shared many pieces of great news. Look for the TV news tonight and print news soon for the details. The details include a new hotel, more jobs at our local state prison, and the opening of a new Sears. Also, we took a bus tour to see the new rail spur.

See video footage at: http://www.kait8.com/global/story.asp?s=7776620

See print coverage at: http://www.jonesborosun.com/story.php?ID=31277

State Police seeking applicants

"For anyone interested in getting a job in law enforcement, Arkansas State Police headquarters in Jonesboro was the place to be Tuesday evening. "

Full Story at: "http://www.kait8.com/global/story.asp?s=7759553"

State Police will have a town hall meeting February 5 in Newport, Troop B headquarters, 3200 Hwy. 67, 6 p.m.

MLK Day

I attended the AME MLK service today in Newport. It was a great service. Judge Barbara King spoke.

College Savings

"LITTLE ROCK -- Governor Mike Beebe, along with members of the Arkansas 529 Committee and the Aspiring Scholars Advisory Committee, today announced a new college savings’ program, the Aspiring Scholars Matching Grant. This new program makes matching funds available for working families who wish to invest in their children’s future by investing in Arkansas’s 529 plan. "

Full release at: "http://www.governor.arkansas.gov/newsroom/index.php?do:newsDetail=1&news_id=363"

Do toy guns look too real?

"Rep. Otis Davis, D-Earle, said his proposal would require that plastic guns be painted in less realistic colors."

Full story at: "http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2008/01/15/News/344888.html"

Your thoughts welcome.

Wills elected as speaker

"LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- Rep. Robbie Wills was elected Monday as the speaker of Arkansas' House for next year's legislative session, promising to be an inclusive leader of the 100-member body but offering few details on his agenda."

Full story at: "http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AR_HOUSE_SPEAKER_AROL-?SITE=ARMOU&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-01-14-14-29-34"

Arkansas ranks 8th in education by recent analysis

"LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas ranked 8th in the nation in a new report that evaluates the quality of states' educational policies and student achievement, state Education Commissioner Ken James told lawmakers Wednesday."

Full Article at: "http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2008/01/10/News/344770.html"

We should be proud of Arkansas' advancement nationally in public education. We can and must do more especially in our rural delta schools.

ASU Newport breaking ground on new building

Story from: http://www.kait8.com/global/story.asp?s=7592503

" NEWPORT, AR - Arkansas State University's Newport campus and the Newport Economic Development Commission will conduct a groundbreaking ceremony on January 25 for the ASU-Newport Technology Center. The ceremony will also feature a ribbon-cutting event for the Industrial Development Road & Rail project.

Governor Mike Beebe will be attending the event, which begins at 11:30 a.m. at 7648 Victory Boulevard in Newport."

Company D leaves Newport

"NEWPORT - It was a day of tears and smiles and hugs as the men and women of D company loaded up the buses and departed for their year-long deployment to Iraq. "

Full Story at: "http://www.kait8.com/global/story.asp?s=7590255"

Domestic Violence in Arkansas

"JONESBORO — Arkansas ranks first in the nation for domestic violence murders of black women and third for Caucasian women. "

Full Story at: "http://www.jonesborosun.com/story.php?ID=30982"

Senator Critcher, Vickie Critcher, and I worked on this issue this past legislative session. I was honored when Jayne Ann Kita made comments about this on my website:

"LJ Bryant was instrumental in working to obtain funding for domestic violence programs in Arkansas. He provided assistance and coordination of efforts that resulted in $400,000 for the Domestic Peace Fund, supporting domestic violence services across the state.

Jayne Ann Kita
Executive Director Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence"

Much much more can and should be done. This is not that much money and money does not solve everything. It treats the problem; however, much more needs to be done to prevent the problem.

Northeast Arkansas political experts weigh in on Iowa

"JONESBORO — Former Gov. Mike Huckabee’s sudden rise to the top of this year’s Republican presidential field via Thursday’s Iowa caucus victory came as no surprise to one-time gubernatorial candidate and Jonesboro resident Woody Freeman, who said he encouraged him to jump into national politics. "

Full Article at: "http://www.jonesborosun.com/story.php?ID=30966"

Here is to 2007

Thanks to you, I raised $17,630.90 in contributions during 2007. This amount is greater than what both 2002 candidates reported raising for their efforts to fill the open seat---by more than 250%.

I am both grateful and humbled by this show of local support in Jackson and White county, as well as from friends around the state. This kind of early support represents my ability to work with others and to get things done for our communities. While contributions represent support, votes get you elected. I want to take my message of Putting Experience and Vision to work to every voter of District 58.

Full Release at: "http://www.ljbryant.com/press-01-02-2008.html"