Halter Says Shoffner Should Immediately Resign

Statement from Bill Halter Regarding Martha Shoffner:

Martha Shoffner should resign immediately.  

Restoration of the public trust can only begin with the appointment of a new treasurer.  Arkansans deserve to have complete confidence that their elected officials are not trading on their positions for campaign contributions, personal financial gain, or future job prospects.  Public officials are elected to serve their constituents and not to parlay the public's trust into their own benefit.

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NEW VIDEO: ARGUE QUESTIONS ROSS'S CORE BELIEFS/POSITION CHANGES

FORMER SENATE PRO TEMPORE QUESTIONS ROSS’S CORE BELIEFS AND POSITION CHANGES

Jim Argue, Jr. Served with Ross in the State Senate

Little Rock – Former Arkansas State Senate Pro Tempore Jim Argue, Jr. (SD-2), whose service overlapped with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Ross in the state senate, today criticized Ross for failing to stick to any core principles and changing positions when politically advantageous.

“Leadership is more than just sticking your finger up in the political wind and figuring out which direction the winds happen to be blowing at that time and setting your sails always in a favorable wind,” Argue said in a video released by the Halter campaign. “I think those are things that need to be founded on core principles and you need to have the backbone to stick to your guns in however you believe.”

The full video may be viewed here.

Mike Ross “doesn’t support the positions that I support,” said Argue.  “I think principles are important.”

Argue, who served for 18 years from 1990 to 2008 in the legislature, previously chaired the Senate Committee on Education and also served in the Arkansas House of Representatives.   He is currently the President of the United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas.

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ROSS CAUGHT MISLEADING - DENIES OWN RECORD

For Immediate Release

MIKE ROSS CAUGHT MISLEADING ARKANSANS

· ROSS SAID HE WOULD HAVE VETOED 20-WEEK ABORTION BAN – BUT ROSS VOTED IN FAVOR OF STRICTER 20 WEEK ABORTION BAN - ROSS DENIES FACTUAL RECORD 

· ROSS SPOKE AGAINST “ATTACKS ON WOMEN” – RECORD SHOWS HE

CO-SPONSORED BILL WITH TODD AKIN TO REDEFINE RAPE AND VOTED TWICE TO DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD

Statement from Bud Jackson

Yesterday Mike Ross criticized “misguided politicians” for their “divisive” policies and said that their “attacks on women and family will not work" and "don't belong in Arkansas.”

[Source: ArkansasOnline.com 4/17/2013]

Women will be outraged to learn that Mike Ross now claims to be their champion when his own record clearly demonstrates otherwise.

The fact is Mike Ross co-sponsored with Todd Akin highly divisive legislation that sought to redefine rape and would have prevented women from obtaining important medical care.

[Source: HR 3 – 1/20/11]

Mike Ross spoke out against right-wing policies being promoted in the Arkansas legislature, such as defunding Planned Parenthood, and said they had no place in Arkansas.  But Mike Ross’s own record includes these same votes in Washington.

The fact is Mike Ross voted twice to defund Planned Parenthood.

[Source H Amdt 95 to HR 1 - 2/18/11] – [H CON RES 36 4/14/2011]

Mike Ross claims that he would have vetoed the abortion bills that Governor Beebe recently vetoed.  But Mike Ross’s own record indicates that his claim cannot be trusted to be truthful.

This morning, Talk Business' Jason Tolbert reported that:

 “Ross was asked by Alice Stewart on her radio show about his vote in Congress for an identical bill as passed by the legislature.

“No, that’s not true,” said Ross denying the claim and instead insisting that this was an attack from the extreme right and extreme left.”

[Source: TalkBusiness.net – 4/18/2013]

The fact is Mike Ross voted for a measure that would have banned abortions in Washington, DC after 20 weeks of pregnancy.  It was even stricter than the Arkansas bill, denying women who were raped or were victims of incest.

[Source HR 3803 – Roll Call 539 7/31/12]

After announcing that he would not run for reelection to Congress and less than two months after saying he was not going to run governor Mike Ross showed his true colors and voted for this ban.  Only now that he is running for governor, has he chosen to flip-flop to suit his own political ambition.

Mike Ross’s statements are not consistent with his own previous actions.  

Mike Ross talks about believing in Arkansas values but yesterday he demonstrated a determined willingness to ignore those values when it served his own political ambition.

With Bill Halter, Arkansans know where he stands.  He would have vetoed the abortion bills and he never would have supported the attacks on women that Mike Ross promoted by cosponsoring and voting for legislation that would have restricted women from receiving important medical care.  

Mike Ross’s record of denying women access to medical care is only one of many aspects of an overall record that Arkansans will find troubling.  I am confident that the Arkansas press corps will do their homework and hold Mr. Ross accountable for his own record, rather than allow him to run on someone else’s record. 

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HALTER PASSES $1 MILLION +$1 MILLION MORE IN COMMITMENTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                   

HALTER CAMPAIGN ALREADY PASSES $1 MILLION MARK

& HAS MORE THAN $1 MILLION MORE IN COMMITMENTS

First Quarter Report Card Includes Record Grassroots Support

Little Rock – Former Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter has sprinted from the starting line of his campaign for Arkansas governor and now has passed the $1 million mark, has another $1 million in contribution commitments and more than 1,000 volunteers signed up from all 75 Arkansas counties.

“It’s been an incredible 60 days, and I am profoundly grateful for the outpouring of support we’ve received from folks across our state,” said Halter. “Arkansas needs a leader, not a lobbyist, in the Governor’s mansion who will put forward genuine policy proposals that will help all Arkansans.”

“Reporting $1 million is impressive, but signing up more than 1,000 people to volunteer in fewer than 60 days is literally unprecedented in Arkansas history,” said Halter advisor Bud Jackson.  “Most candidates don’t have 1,000 volunteers at the end of the campaign, let alone at the beginning. Bill’s campaign is going to be the largest grassroots mobilization ever waged in Arkansas and a powerful force for Democrats who want to keep the governor’s mansion.”

The fundraising performance comes despite the first fundraising quarter (ending March 31^st) being one-third shorter than average fundraising reporting periods because Halter did not enter the race until January 31^st.  Halter’s quarterly finance report will be filed with the Secretary of State’s office on or before the official April 15^th deadline.

“With his long history of getting things done and his big ideas about how to create opportunity for families, it's no wonder so many Arkansans are lining up for Bill -- with their money and their time.  Arkansans know a winner when they see one,” said Jackson.  “Folks will have a clear choice between Washington style career politicians and lobbyists versus Bill Halter’s Arkansas Promise plan to provide college for every person who works for it and his real experience creating jobs."

Halter for Arkansas by the numbers:

·      $1 million+ in receipts

-      Over $360,000 raised from more than 600 contributors

-      Over 500 contributions of $100 or less

-      $640,000 personal loan from Bill Halter

·      An additional $1 million in pledged contributions

·      More than 1,000 volunteers signed up representing all 75 Arkansas counties

·      Endorsements from organizations representing over 25,000 Arkansas families: United Steelworkers, Communication Workers of America, the Teamsters,  and United Food and Commercial Workers.

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Halter Announces "Arkansas Promise"

BILL HALTER’S  “ARKANSAS PROMISE”

College Tuition Paid for All Qualifying Arkansas Students

North Little Rock – Former Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter, Democratic candidate for governor, today unveiled a bold plan that will allow all Arkansas students with at least a 2.5 GPA the opportunity to attend a state college tuition-free.

“I call it the Arkansas Promise,” Halter says in a cover-letter to the plan.  “Simply stated, if you go to high school in Arkansas, qualify for a lottery scholarship, maintain a 2.5 GPA, and plan to attend college in the state, we promise to pay your college tuition. The overall scholarship level would be set at the tuition level of the highest-cost, four-year public university in Arkansas. And we will pay for this investment without raising taxes, by combining the Lottery Scholarship, federal grant aid, additional private scholarships, and charitable support.”

The entire plan can be viewed and downloaded here.

Tomorrow the campaign is expected to release a video.  An excerpt may be viewed here.

“If you wouldn’t hire a football coach who doesn’t aspire to winning the national championship and have a plan to do so, then why would you hire a Chief Executive Officer of the state who doesn’t aspire to help make Arkansas the best state in America and have a plan to make it happen?” said Halter.  “When I was growing up in North Little Rock, we Arkansans called our state the “Land of Opportunity.” Together, we can once again live up to that aspiration. “

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HALTER RACKS-UP STATEWIDE EARLY ENDORSEMENTS

HALTER RACKS-UP EARLY ENDORSEMENTS

FROM ALL ACROSS ARKANSAS

Thurgood Marshall, Jr., and 21^st Century Democrats Join Arkansans in Endorsing

Little Rock – Former Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter has racked-up a large number of diverse and impressive early endorsements from all across Arkansas.  Also announced to the media today are endorsements from Thurgood Marshall, Jr., the son of the first African-American Supreme Court Justice and the 21^st Century Democrats, a national Democratic organization.  

“I am thankful to have the early support of such a diverse group of people from all corners of Arkansas,” said Halter.  “We can achieve anything when Arkansans work together.  People are joining my campaign because they share my belief that we can make our state even better by developing and building upon ideas that will move us forward, faster while expanding opportunity for all.”

State Representative James Word (Pine Bluff – House District 16)

"As state representative, I've had the opportunity to work with Bill Halter and witness his ability to get things done. I support his bid for governor."

State Representative John Catlett (Rover – House District 61)

"I got to know Bill Halter traveling with him around the state of Arkansas. I admire his determination in driving educational opportunities for our children. I strongly support Bill Halter for Governor of Arkansas."

Sheriff Bobby May (St. Francis County)

“Bill is gutsy. He knows what's right for this state and I appreciate his accomplishments. He can help move Arkansas forward. That's why I support him."

Dr. Dianna Gonzalez Worthen, Former Democratic Nominee (Senate District 3)

“I am excited to support Bill Halter for Governor. I believe in Bill. He's honest, innovative, and energetic, says what he's going to do and does it.”

Kelly Halstead, Former Democratic Nominee (House District 39)

“I am strongly supportive of Bill Halter for governor, because as a mother, I appreciate his leadership on improving education and opportunity in Arkansas”.

Thomas Akin, Former Democratic Nominee (House District 68)

"I'm endorsing Bill Halter to be our next governor because we are both businessmen and I know Bill will bring a business perspective to Arkansas as governor. Bill and I agree we must invest in our state's future to enhance job prospects for all Arkansans. I also respect Bill for his determination in the face of political pressure."

Jan Paschal, Former President, Arkansas Federation of Democratic Women (Tuckerman)

"I have worked in education my whole life, and there is no one I can support in this race for governor other than Bill Halter. Bill has a proven record of fighting to improve educational opportunity for all of Arkansas's children."

  

Ike Forte – 1976 Cotton Bowl Razorback Team

 “From my years as a Razorback football player, I know what it means to be a leader. Bill Halter has the passion, intellect, and drive to take on the job of governor, and keep moving Arkansas forward.” 

Darrell Stephens, First-Vice chair Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus (Little Rock)

"We need someone who will fight for Arkansans. Someone who has made an attempt to help educate our kids.  We need a real Democrat. That’s why I am putting every resource, volunteer I have behind Bill Halter."

Debra Buckner, Pulaski County Treasurer

"Owing to personal circumstances and the lack of scholarship opportunities, I wasn't able to achieve my personal education goals. If the lottery scholarship had been available when I was a student, I would have completed my degree. I strongly support Bill Halter for governor because he has fought to provide scholarships for tens of thousands of students today who are like I was then, determined and capable but needing scholarship support."

Former State Representative Richard Carroll (North Little Rock)

"I know Bill Halter personally and know how hard he works for all of Arkansas. He'll lead Arkansas in the right direction and that's why I support him strongly for governor."

D’Andre Jones, President NWA Democratic Black Caucus (Fayetteville)

"I am a proud supporter of Bill Halter for Governor of Arkansas. Bill has proven to have the best interest of Arkansans at heart. He is intelligent, capable, and hardworking. Bill’s platform involves moving the state forward in every respect. I encourage each of my friends to vote for progress, and government that works for all people, by supporting Bill Halter."

Former State Rep. J.R. Rogers (Walnut Ridge)

"I have worked with Bill Halter. He is honest, hardworking, and a family man that stays true to his word and that is why I am supporting him for Governor of Arkansas."

Larry DeLashmit, Former President of DPA Veteran’s Caucus and former Washington County Democratic Chairman

"I urge all of my friends to support Bill Halter in his run for governor. I plan to volunteer and work tirelessly for Bill!"

Lynette Vinson, Pulaski County Democratic Committee Treasurer

"Bill Halter continues to show that he has the leadership needed to move our state forward, that's why I support his bid for governor."

Former State Representative Jim House (Fayetteville)

"I strongly support Bill Halter for governor, because he is clearly in touch with Arkansas's values. My daughter received a lottery scholarship and it was invaluable in paying for her college education."

Former State Representative Leslee Milam Post (Ozark)

“I am a proud to support Bill Halter. His combination of experience in state government and business savvy will help move Arkansas forward.”

Former State Senator Jack Crumbly (Widener)

"I endorse Bill Halter as Arkansas’s next governor because he demonstrated his commitment to improving educational opportunity for all by driving the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery forward and he made sure that the scholarships were equally available to all Arkansans. Bill has the work ethic and business relationships across America to bring industry to Arkansas, especially to the Delta. He is the candidate for governor that Arkansas deserves."

Former State Representative Booker Clemons (Pine Bluff)

  

“As a former state representative and lifelong Arkansan, I understand the importance of electing a governor who will aggressively fight for working Arkansas families, that's why I'm supporting Bill Halter for governor.”

Former State Representative David Cook (Willford)

“Bill Halter believes in supporting and improving education. He understands that education & economic development are linked & can help put us on the right track for a better & brighter future."

Former State Representative Barbara Nix (Hensley)

“I am happy to endorse Bill Halter for governor. As a 33 year educator, I can tell you - if you care about public education in Arkansas, Bill is the easy choice for governor – 100,000 scholarship recipients agree.”

Maria Baez de Hicks, Vice Chair for the 3rd Congressional District  Hispanic Caucus (Fayetteville)

“I support Bill Halter because he has shown to be a man who stands up for what he believes in. He has ardently worked on behalf of the people of AR and has presented innovative solutions for the challenges of our state.  Bill will continue to work for the people of our state and improve our education and our economy to ensure a prosperous future for all.”

Annie Abrams, Civil Rights Leader (Little Rock)

“I am proud to endorse Bill Halter for Governor. Service is the rent you pay to stay on this earth; I will pay some rent for Bill Halter to be the next Governor of Arkansas.”

Progressive Democrats in Action (NE Arkansas)

“The Progressive Democrats in Action of Northeast Arkansas are proud to have voted unanimously at their recent meeting to support Bill Halter in his run for governor. In the past Bill has stood up for expanded access to health care and education and ethical, honest government. He's the kind of reform minded leader that all Arkansans of every political stripe need in the governor's office.”

Thurgood Marshall Jr. – son of first African-American Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall

"I have known and worked closely with Bill Halter for 22 years. Bill and I worked together while he successfully led the Social Security Administration. The Bill Halter I know is dedicated to working hard for all Americans. Bill would never bend to political pressure and takes on and wins fights because they are the right thing to do. He will bring the same dedication to leading Arkansas. He is a strong business leader and I admire his dedication to expanding educational opportunity for all Arkansans."

21^st Century Democrats, national Democrat organization

21^st Century Democrats is a national organization that supports “Democratic leaders who will shape the direction of the Democratic Party and enact public policy that transforms this country to a just, fair and equal society for all.”

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HALTER BLASTS PROPOSED LOTTERY SCHOLARSHIP CHANGES AS SHORTSIGHTED

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HALTER BLASTS PROPOSED LOTTERY SCHOLARSHIP CHANGES AS SHORTSIGHTED

Bill Would Make College Less Affordable for Parents and Students - Ignores Intent of Arkansas Voters

Little Rock – Former Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter today blasted HB 1295 as a legislative proposal that ignores the express intent of Arkansans by dramatically altering the state’s scholarship lottery program that they approved in 2008.

“This legislation will make it significantly more difficult for Arkansas students to achieve a higher education,” said Halter.  “With virtually no warning to tens of thousands of parents and students, this bill fundamentally changes the program to the point where it will reduce the number of Arkansas students able to enter a state college or university. It's a bad idea for students and parents and it's a bad idea for Arkansas.”

"The fact that more students have received the scholarship than was initially projected is an enormous success that deserves to be built upon rather than cut,” said Halter.  “Arkansans approved the scholarship lottery to offer greater opportunities for higher education in our state.” 

"This bill ignores the expectations of Arkansans who voted overwhelmingly for the scholarship lottery that passed with clear majorities in every legislative district in Arkansas," said Halter.

 “We must do more to expand opportunity for Arkansans and to strengthen our workforce to help build and attract better paying jobs. This legislation undercuts all of these goals,” said Halter.

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