Hutchinson Stresses Commitment to Rural Education
Is Mike Beebe a Friend or Foe of Rural Education?
Mike Bebee has convinced many superintendents across the state that he is a friend of rural education. However, Jeremey Hutchinson is quoted in the paper as complaining that Attorney General Mike Beebe’s office was working behind the scenes to kill the bill that Hutchinson had proposed (HB1014) in an effort to possibly save the campus of a small rural school from being closed. Hutchinson's bill could have prevented several other schools from being closed in the future. ("Senate panel fails to back bill to save rural high school" by Blomeley, ADG).
If Bebee is a friend of rural education, then why was he trying to kill Hutchinson's bill which could save numerous schools in the future, if indeed he was?
If Beebe is really a friend of rural education, how is he going to deal with those powerful Democrat leaders in his party like Senator Argue and others who have advocated county wide school districts for 10 years now. The AR Democrat Gazette reported on 3-24-93: "One school-consolidation bill at this session was introduced by Representative Jim Argue of Little Rock. Massive in scope, it would provide that each county in Arkansas would have but one school district by July 1, 1995."
The paper also quoted Jeremy Hutchinson as saying, “If you’re going to work behind the scenes to kill a bill, you ought to be public when you’re an elected official...People should know where you stand."
"Hoofman said he met with several legislators to tell them the concerns of Senior Assistant Attorney General Tim Gauger, Beebe’s lead lawyer on the Lake View case, named for the tiny Phillips County district that filed the funding lawsuit in 1992. He said Gauger was busy Friday morning but was ready to testify on the bill if it came up later in the day," the paper reported.
It seems likely there are some interesting dividing lines forming since Asa Hutchinson has also made some significant statements about rural education, saying recently in a speech, "Arkansas is a rural state, either we find a way to help our rural schools or we will have to reshape our entire state."
Any information on where these two men stand on this rural education issue would be appreciated.
Mike Bebee has convinced many superintendents across the state that he is a friend of rural education. However, Jeremey Hutchinson is quoted in the paper as complaining that Attorney General Mike Beebe’s office was working behind the scenes to kill the bill that Hutchinson had proposed (HB1014) in an effort to possibly save the campus of a small rural school from being closed. Hutchinson's bill could have prevented several other schools from being closed in the future. ("Senate panel fails to back bill to save rural high school" by Blomeley, ADG).
If Bebee is a friend of rural education, then why was he trying to kill Hutchinson's bill which could save numerous schools in the future, if indeed he was?
If Beebe is really a friend of rural education, how is he going to deal with those powerful Democrat leaders in his party like Senator Argue and others who have advocated county wide school districts for 10 years now. The AR Democrat Gazette reported on 3-24-93: "One school-consolidation bill at this session was introduced by Representative Jim Argue of Little Rock. Massive in scope, it would provide that each county in Arkansas would have but one school district by July 1, 1995."
The paper also quoted Jeremy Hutchinson as saying, “If you’re going to work behind the scenes to kill a bill, you ought to be public when you’re an elected official...People should know where you stand."
"Hoofman said he met with several legislators to tell them the concerns of Senior Assistant Attorney General Tim Gauger, Beebe’s lead lawyer on the Lake View case, named for the tiny Phillips County district that filed the funding lawsuit in 1992. He said Gauger was busy Friday morning but was ready to testify on the bill if it came up later in the day," the paper reported.
It seems likely there are some interesting dividing lines forming since Asa Hutchinson has also made some significant statements about rural education, saying recently in a speech, "Arkansas is a rural state, either we find a way to help our rural schools or we will have to reshape our entire state."
Any information on where these two men stand on this rural education issue would be appreciated.
posted by Debbie Pelley at Tuesday, April 11, 2006
11 Comments:
Asa is a big supporter of rural schools. Just ask anybody -- anybody -- involved in the effort to save Paron High School.
I do know that several rural superintendents really think Beebe is going to change things for the better for them. Wonder what they think now?
This is rather strange to see Jeremy Hutchinson now opposing Mike Huckabee who said he opposed the bill. Back in the 2003 legislative session I think he supported all of Huckabee's bills that I remember. Glad he finally saw the light on this issue and is moving in the direction of common sense. I know that quite often the legilators have no idea what the agenda behind a bill is until after it passes. There is so much deception at the Capitol.
Nice to know that Brummet supports Argue's attempts to stop this bill in the SEnate even after it passed with such a large majority in the House. Argue knew it would pass in the Senate too so he stood between the people and what they really wanted.
Can Beebe stand against the likes of Argue and Brummet and really support rural schools? I don't think so! I understand Beebe knows every trick in the book in politics and I am sure he will use all of them, including deception.
Don't forget that Senator Holt has always been a supporter of the rural schools. He voted against the consolidation bill and against closing the isolated school districts.
Actually Jeremy did not support Act 60, I think, which has resulted in the consolidation and closing of schools that we have witnessed. Jim Holt isn't the only one.
Argue used his power as President Pro Tem to make sure that bill never got to the Senate floor. If Win had not been out of state fighting for his life, he could have tapped Argue on the shoulder and reminded him that the Lt. Governor is the President of the Senate. He is only loaning the job to the President Pro Tem . If he has to he will step back in to make sure bills are handled fairly.
Win was not in a position to do this, God help him. Jim Holt as Lt. Governor would do it.
I have also heard that if Mike Beebe wins the Governorship, Jim Argue is going to be his Director of Education Dept. If no other reason than this, we must defeat Mike Beebe.
Glad to hear it about J. Hutch and Act 60. Those who want to stop this socialist lunacy need to stick together.
If Asa is involved in saving rural schools then Jim Holt matches well with him. Holt has a proven record for the small schools. He was taking up for them before taking up for them was cool. By November, those rural voters will know it!
Very nice site! » »
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