Alice Walton, Walmart’s McMillon are Arkansans of the year

By Steve Brawner, © 2025 by Steve Brawner Communications, Inc.

Few entities have had a bigger effect on Arkansas than Walmart, and this year the effect was bigger than most. For that reason, philanthropist Alice Walton, daughter of founder Sam Walton, and retiring CEO Doug McMillon are the Arkansans of the year.

Every December, this column bestows that title on an individual or individuals who have most impacted the state. It is inspired by Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” designation for “the person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or ill, and embodied what was important about the year.”

The Arkansans of the year is a one-man decision. There is no award ceremony, and there are no cash prizes – not that Walton or McMilllon would need one.  Walton is the world’s richest woman, worth an estimated $122 billion, according to Forbes. Continue reading →

Dr. Bass’s prescriptions for Congress

By Steve Brawner, © 2025 by Steve Brawner Communications, Inc.

Congress is a mess. I asked Dr. Hal Bass what might could be done to fix it.

Bass has taught political science at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia for 49 years. He was my professor when I attended school there from 1987-91. Retired since 2016, he still teaches one class a semester. This semester, it’s “The American Congress.”

In a phone interview, he said James Madison and the rest of the Constitution’s framers believed Congress would be the “first” of the government’s three branches, the others being the executive and the judiciary. 

That’s not the case now. The presidency has become more and more powerful in recent decades when his party controls Congress. That’s especially the case now under President Trump.

“I just don’t think there’s been a president who could count on the unflinching support of congressional majorities like Trump can,” he said. Continue reading →

How your community can land the big employer

By Steve Brawner, © 2025 by Steve Brawner Communications, Inc.

How does a community convince a big employer to select it for its next manufacturing plant or other big facility? Have a site ready, have adequate electricity and other utilities available, and roll out the welcome mat with incentives that can close the deal.

That was the message five national site selection consultants presented at the Clinton Presidential Center Oct. 15. 

The Power Up Little Rock luncheon was hosted by the Metro Little Rock Alliance, a 13-county regional marketing coalition staffed by the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.  Continue reading →

Sanders, Cotton have big funding leads

By Steve Brawner, © 2025 by Steve Brawner Communications, Inc.

The latest campaign finance news isn’t surprising in that Republican incumbents for the state’s high-profile offices have lots of money in the bank. Meanwhile, at least a couple of Democrats look like they can raise enough money at least to run a credible campaign.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ campaign raised $1 million during the third quarter, has raised more than $6 million total, and had $5.5 million in cash on hand as of Sept. 30.

In contrast, the only Democrat to file a report, state Sen. Fred Love of Mabelvale, had raised $43,600 total so far and had $30,000 cash on hand.

The filing period runs from noon Nov. 3 until noon Nov. 11. If other credible Democrats plan to enter the race, they have until then to do so. Continue reading →

Outsider King faces Sanders-backed challenger – another Ballinger

By Steve Brawner, © 2025 by Steve Brawner Communications, Inc.

The most intriguing Arkansas political race in next March’s primary is the one in state Senate District 28. For the third straight election, a King faces a Ballinger, albeit a different one this time.

Sen. Bryan King, R-Green Forest, faces a challenge from Bobby Ballinger Jr. of St. Paul to represent the northwest Arkansas district. It includes all of Carroll and Madison Counties and parts of Boone, Newton, Johnson and Franklin Counties. Harrison and Eureka Springs are among the district’s biggest cities.

The two families have a political history.  Continue reading →