State Sen. Jim Hendren’s hate crimes bill was not passed in committee on Wednesday. Hendren presented Senate Bill 3, which creates enhancements for offenders who target individuals based on protected attributes, to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, April 7.…
Bob Ballinger
- AMP NewsPolitics
Arkansas House Passes Stand Your Ground Bill in Overwhelming Vote
by Tyler Haleby Tyler HaleSenate Bill 24 (SB 24), commonly known as the Stand Your Ground Bill, has been passed overwhelmingly by the Arkansas House of Representatives. House lawmakers passed the bill by a margin of 73 to 23 with four not voting and…
- AMP NewsPolitics
State Lawmakers Respond to Jim Hendren’s Decision to Leave GOP
by Tyler Haleby Tyler HaleOn Thursday morning (Feb. 18), state Sen. Jim Hendren threw a curveball into the political arena, announcing his intention to leave the Republican Party and become an independent. For Hendren, political polarization and incivility have hampered policymaking and coarsened public…
An amendment to a controversial “stand-your-ground” bill was passed on Thursday, Jan. 14 by members of the Arkansas Senate. Senators voted to adopt an amendment to Senate Bill 24, sponsored by Sen. Bob Ballinger (R-Ozark), which legislates the use of…
- AMP NewsPolitics
Stand-Your-Ground Bill Sends Sparks Flying During Committee Meeting
by Tyler Haleby Tyler HaleA new “stand your ground” bill caused minor fireworks during an Arkansas Senate judiciary committee meeting on Wednesday. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Bob Ballinger (R-Ozark) and co-primary sponsor Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R-Knoxville), has already attracted controversy, becoming one of…
Marking his 45th birthday, Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz made a campaign stop at Apostolic Church in North Little Rock on Dec. 22, as part of the Cruz Country Christmas Tour. Donning full denim and cowboy boots, the Texas senator’s…