LITTLE ROCK — Lt. Gov. Mark Darr had a meeting with Gov. Mike Beebe for the first time on Tuesday.
Darr, a Republican who took office Jan. 11, replaced Lt. Gov. Bill Halter, a Democrat.
Beebe, a Democrat in office since 2007, had supported Darr’s Democratic opponent, Shane Broadway.
Darr and Beebe each had previously said that he wouldn’t initiate a meeting with the other.
The 20-minute meeting Tuesday was brokered by state Sen. Gilbert Baker, R-Conway, according to spokesmen for Darr and Beebe.
“They pretty much talked about the relationships of the offices and talked about working together when they need to,” said Beebe spokesman Matt DeCample.
Darr has advocated an “online checkbook” that would post state expenditures on the Internet.
Darr Chief of Staff Bruce Campbell said that Darr and Beebe were on the “same page” as far as the concept of such a system but that the governor wanted to see more details.
DeCample said Beebe wants input from the Department of Finance and Administration as far as what the state “can do cost-effectively.”
DeCample said they would meet again “as needed.”
Campbell said each side agreed to stay in contact through their staffs.
Campbell and DeCample each said there are “no hard feelings” over the election.
“Both sides are adults,” Campbell said.
Darr was joined by Campbell and Baker for the meeting in the governor’s office with Beebe, Beebe’s Chief of Staff Morril Harriman, and Deputy Chief of Staff Lamar Davis.
Front Section, Pages 7 on 01/26/2011