Category Archives: Politics

Flock Safety cancellations a drop in the bucket

At least six Arkansas communities have stopped using Flock Safety public surveillance and license plate reader cameras since July 24. 

But will a backlash ever occur regarding modern life’s other, much bigger privacy encroachments?

Flock Safety operates a nationwide network of cameras that record passing car images and license plate numbers. Law enforcement agencies in 49 states can search the company’s data. The company says that in the month of July it detected more than 1,000 missing people and more than 20,000 stolen cars. 

But some communities have stopped using the technology over privacy concerns. The Washington Post identified nearly 50 examples of police officers being charged or accused of using the technology inappropriately, including for tracking romantic partners or family members.  Continue reading →

Will Arkansans see $430 Social Security cut?

tax, taxes, debt, deficits, spending, trillion, State of the Union, deficit hawks, balanced budget amendment, Jonathan Bydlak, immigration, $98.8 trillion, $970 billion, Social Security cutIf Congress doesn’t act, the average Arkansas retiree could see a Social Security monthly benefit cut of $430 in 2032, based on findings from the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

More than 19% of the state’s population, or 589,427 Arkansans, could be affected, including retirees, survivors and dependents. Arkansas could lose somewhere around $3 billion, which would be 1.6% of its economy. That percentage is the eighth highest among all the states.

All of that’s according to a new interactive tool, “No State Spared,” on the CRFBs website at www.crfb.org/nostatespared.

The reduction would occur because the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund is set to become insolvent in the fourth quarter of 2032. 

That’s the funding mechanism that pays Social Security benefits to senior citizens and their survivors. Another Social Security trust fund for disabled Americans is in good shape for at least the next 75 years.

Continue reading →

Westerman tries to engineer health care fix

Bruce Westerman Fair Care Act

Westerman

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., an engineer before he was a congressman, is trying to redesign the American health care system through the Fair Care Act.

He’s been introducing versions of the FCA since 2019 to reform a system that composes 18% of gross domestic product but often doesn’t produce better results than other countries’ systems that cost much less.

“I kind of approach everything from an engineering mindset,” he said. “You go through the engineering, problem-solving methodology. And it’s identify the problem, come up with a plan to solve the problem, do the work to solve the problem, and present your answer.”

Westerman said he proposed the 434-page FCA as a bipartisan solution. It has ideas from both parties and has had Democratic co-sponsorship in the past. He said past one-party efforts – the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and the unsuccessful Republican repeal effort in 2017 – haven’t worked. Continue reading →

Politicians choosing their voters

Which party will control the U.S. House of Representatives after the November elections? It becomes harder to predict each time a state redraws its congressional district map.

As the year began, the conventional wisdom was that Democrats probably would retake the U.S. House majority because the party that doesn’t control the White House typically does better in the midterm elections. Republicans were favored to maintain control of the Senate.

President Trump’s current low approval ratings, along with $4 gas prices, would seem to further improve the Democrats’ chances. Supposedly, Democrats can even win a U.S. Senate seat in Texas, although I’ll believe it when I see it. 

On the other hand, it’s a long way to November, and things can change. 

Furthermore, the redistricting efforts by both parties, with Republicans appearing to benefit more, have scrambled the picture. Continue reading →

How many ballot measures? Between 3 and 6

vote, Mark Moore, 16-year-olds, Arkansas, primaries, Goodson, photo ID, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, SAVE America ActHow many constitutional amendments will Arkansas voters consider in November? At least three and as many as six, though probably not that many.

The three that definitely will be on the ballot were referred by lawmakers last year. 

One would amend the Arkansas Constitution’s guarantee of the “right to keep and bear arms, for their common defense” by adding the words “lawful hunting and recreational use; and any other lawful purpose.” It also would include as part of that right the possession and use of ammunition and firearm accessories and components.

Another proposal states that only United States citizens can vote in Arkansas, which is already a constitutional requirement. 

The third would allow cities and counties to create economic development districts. For example, a city could create tax incentives to encourage construction in a decayed area.

Meanwhile, three citizen groups seek to qualify amendments for the ballot.  Continue reading →