In the News

http://http//www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/nov/14/senate-panel-strikes-deal-on-easing-rul/ By ELIZABETH DEXHEIMER BLOOMBERG NEWS The Republican leader of a key Senate panel has struck a deal with moderate Democrats to ease regulatory burdens on financial firms, setting up one of the best chances in years for lawmakers to make major changes to rules passed in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. The plan, unveiled Monday by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, would mostly provide r... Read more

http://http//www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/nov/10/ryan-getting-pressure-on-daca-20171110/ By DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS WASHINGTON -- Nearly two dozen House Republicans on Thursday pressed Speaker Paul Ryan to act quickly on legislation that would protect about 800,000 illegal aliens brought to the United States as children. The lawmakers said efforts to grant such deportation protection would easily pass in the House, with dozens in the GOP set to join Democrats in backing such ... Read more

http://https//www.cato.org/blog/choice-cuts-house-serves-some-monetary-reform By GEORGE SELGIN Members of the House Financial Services Committee made some progress on monetary reform this past week by introducing three new bills in the House on November 7th and 8th, to be marked-up in Committee on Tuesday — along with a host of other financial services related bills. The monetary measures serve as free-standing counterparts to similar provisions and goals of the comprehensive Financial CHOICE Ac... Read more

http://http//www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/11/12/mayor-to-amazon-re-offering-50000-jobs-5-billion-in-construction-thanks-but-no-thanks.html By Mark Stodola As of late, it seems like nearly every city in America is vying for the attention of Amazon in hopes of attracting the planned HQ2 campus of the multibillion-dollar corporation. The second headquarters for Amazon promises to create 50,000 high-paying jobs and $5 billion in construction, for starters. The city where I am mayor – Little Rock, Ar... Read more

http://http//www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/nov/07/little-rock-post-office-location-could-close-end-y/?f=latest By Kally Patz An Arkansas congressman has asked the U.S. Postal Service to provide him with more information about the possible closure of a post office in Little Rock's Heights neighborhood. In a letter sent Oct. 27 to Rod Salley, acting director of government relations and public policy at the U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Rep French Hill wrote that he has been contacted by elected off... Read more

http://http//www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/nov/03/state-s-lawmakers-see-plan-helping-most/ By Frank E. Lockwood WASHINGTON -- The Republican tax plan unveiled Thursday would mean lower taxes for most Arkansans but could also add to the national debt, members of the Arkansas congressional delegation said. The legislation, if passed, will spark economic growth and lessen the burden on members of the middle class, they added. Few Arkansans would be affected by provisions capping home mortgage de... Read more

http://https//www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/11/2/16597984/house-republicans-tax-bill-promises By Ella Nilsen As House Republicans unveiled a sweeping new tax bill Thursday that would dramatically cut taxes for corporations and the wealthy and cost $1.51 trillion over the next 10 years, several GOP Congress members presented a unified front of optimism. “I was very critical and skeptical of it up to this point, but I think after what I saw rolled out today, it’s kind of like bringing out a... Read more

http://http//www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/nov/02/westerman-s-bill-on-u-s-forestland-gets/ By Frank E. Lockwood WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved legislation that would make it harder for environmentalists to derail federal forest management plans. The measure passed 232-188. Ten Democrats supported the measure; nine Republicans opposed it. A member of the Arkansas delegation, 4th District U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, sponsored HR2936, also known as the Resil... Read more

By: Rep. French Hill October 30, 2017 Thirty-one years ago, Ronald Reagan signed the Tax Reform Act of 1986 into law, which lowered tax rates and closed gaps in the American tax system. President Reagan was able to achieve successful and constructive tax reforms because lawmakers created a system with bipartisan support. Now, after many years, we must once again review our tax code, filter out unnecessary regulations and make the system accommodating for all. I am optimistic that we, too, like R... Read more

WASHINGTON -- When Republicans unveil their tax overhaul legislation as early as today, investment advisers and retirement planners will be watching carefully for any proposed changes to the 401(k) program. Americans have more than $5 trillion invested in the tax-deferred accounts, which have gained in popularity as businesses have increasingly phased out traditional pension plans. Nationwide, roughly 55 million people participate in the plans, according to the Investment Company Institute, an i... Read more