Michael R. Wickline

State Capitol Reporter501-244-4404501-244-4404mwickline@arkansasonline.com

State Capitol Reporter

Recent stories by Michael R. Wickline

State panel OKs $158M for broadband projects A state panel on Thursday endorsed the state Department of Commerce’s request for $158 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds for broadband projects.Arkansas' American Rescue Plan ste... December 1, 2022

Arkansas governor-elect Sanders announces more staff appointments Governor-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Thursday announced her legislative director, director of Cabinet affairs, director of boards and commissions, and policy director.Legislative Director Jamie Ba... December 1, 2022

Judge questions relevance of sociologist's testimony in transgender ban trial The second day of the second half of a bench trial over the state's first-in-the-nation ban on gender affirming health care concluded after just over a half day Tuesday, following testimony from a... November 29, 2022

Sanders announces senior staff members Gov.-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Tuesday announced the appointment of four senior staff members.They include:Deputy Chief of Staff Judd Deere, who joined Sanders' campaign as communications direct... November 29, 2022

Rutledge takes Arkansas lieutenant governor’s race Republican Attorney General Leslie Rutledge on Tuesday defeated Democratic rival Kelly Krout and Libertarian opponent Frank Gilbert for lieutenant governor.Rutledge, 46, became the first woman elected... November 8, 2022

Ex-Trump spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders elected Arkansas governor Republican gubernatorial nominee Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Tuesday beat Democratic nominee Chris Jones and Libertarian candidate Ricky Dale Harrington Jr. to become the first woman elected as Arkansas... November 8, 2022

State commission proposes pay boost for judges, prosecutors to keep pace with inflation The Arkansas commission responsible for setting salaries of the state's elected officials on Friday proposed increasing the pay of judges and prosecutors by 2% and then compounding that increase w... October 28, 2022

State tax revenues show robust growth in September Fueled by rising individual and corporate income and sales tax collections, Arkansas' general revenues in September increased by $84.3 million, or 11 %, over a year ago to $849.6 million, the stat... October 4, 2022

Arkansas Senate suspends Clark, strips him of seniority for filing frivolous ethics complaint The Arkansas Senate voted 26-4 on Tuesday to suspend Sen. Alan Clark, R-Lonsdale, and strip him of seniority until the regular session begins Jan. 9.The Senate's action came after the Senate voted... September 27, 2022

Sanders still outraising opponents in campaign for governor Republican gubernatorial candidate Sarah Huckabee Sanders raised about $409,000 in contributions in August as her Democratic rival Chris Jones collected about $322,000 in contributions, according to t... September 17, 2022