Michael R. Wickline

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

Recent stories by Michael R. Wickline

State general revenue booms in May With the help of a rebounding economy and federal stimulus payments, Arkansas state general revenue in May increased by $341 million, or 70.8%, over a year ago and exceeded the state’s April 2, 2020 f... June 2, 2021

State general revenue in February dips to $493.6M State general revenue tax collections in February dipped by $7.9 million from a year ago to $493.6 million and exceeded the state’s April 2 forecast by $31.7 million. The state’s sales and use tax co... March 2, 2021

Hendren to leave GOP, become independent Sen. Jim Hendren of Sulphur Springs announced Thursday morning that he’s leaving the Republican Party to become an independent. “I am making this decision because my commitment to our state and our c... February 18, 2021

Cherokee Village lawmaker tests positive for covid-19 State Rep. Marsh Davis, R-Cherokee Village, has tested positive for covid-19. House spokeswoman Cecillea Pond-Mayo said Davis informed House Speaker Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado, on Friday of his po... February 12, 2021

Bills aim for road agency retirement tweaks LITTLE ROCK — Five bills that proponents say are aimed at improving the financial sustainability of the Arkansas State Highway Employees Retirement System are trying to wind their way through the Legi... February 12, 2021

Candidates speak on Griffin's shift to attorney general race With Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin leaving the governor’s race to run for attorney general, gubernatorial candidate Sarah Huckabee Sanders said he "has been a strong voice for Arkansas and I look forward to wo... February 8, 2021

State Senate backs effort on abortion hotline The Senate on Thursday voted to send to the governor a bill that would require women to call a hotline before receiving an abortion. The Senate voted 28-5 to approve House Bill 1195 by Rep. Jim Dotso... February 5, 2021

State surgeon general announces bid for lieutenant governor State Surgeon General Greg Bledsoe announced Thursday morning that he is running for lieutenant governor next year. Bledsoe, 47, of Little Rock also is the medical director of the emergency departmen... February 4, 2021

State general revenue in January exceeds forecast by $128.8M Fueled by rising individual income tax collections, Arkansas’ general revenue tax collections in January increased by $68.3 million, or 10.4%, over a year ago to $722 million. These collections excee... February 2, 2021

18 states back Arkansas on Medicaid work rule WASHINGTON -- Arkansas should be able to set work requirements for some of its Medicaid recipients, 18 states told the U.S. Supreme Court this week. The granting of federal waivers, which allowed the... January 28, 2021