Beebe thanks Legislature as it prepares to depart
By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
This article was originally published April 9, 2009 at 11:24 a.m. Updated April 9, 2009 at 12:22 p.m.
PHOTO BY STEVE KEESEE
State Sen. Shane Broadway (from left), state Rep. Bruce Maloch, and state Rep. Eddie Cheatham react after their three plans proposed for constitutional amendments were merged into one and passed in committee Wednesday. The Legislature is expected to wrap up its session.
Gov. Mike Beebe thanked the 87th General Assembly for showing very little partisanship in its legislative session, set to come to at least a temporary close today.
The Arkansas Legislature today went into extended recess until May 1, concluding its work after 89 days. Among other things, this legislative session enacted measures to set up lotteries for the state, raises tobacco taxes to pay for expanding 23 health-related programs, and cut the sales tax on groceries.
House Speaker Robbie Wills of Conway struck the gavel just after 11 a.m. Thursday, signifying the end of the House's work. Willis applauded lawmakers, saying they "accomplished something and we got it done."
Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
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Information for this article was contributed by The Associated Press.
