A majority of Arkansans like their health care insurance plan and don’t want a government provider in a proposed health care overhaul, according to results of a new Talk Business poll.
A survey of 600 Arkansas voters showed that 86 percent were somewhat satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of health care received. Fourteen percent were dissatisfied.
The poll also showed that 16 percent supported a federal government health care program and 59 percent opposed higher taxes to pay for health care reform. Thirty percent of the Arkansans polled cited health care costs as their top financial concern.
Lottery gets one bid for services; looks for savings
After weeks of controversy regarding high salaries, the Arkansas Lottery examined ways it could curtail expenses in its budget and it encountered new criticism from a vendor that chose not to participate in the lucrative gaming contract the state will award.
Director Ernie Passailaigue proposed outsourcing regional claims offices in banks, using the Internet instead of television for live drawings, and emphasizing Internet and cable TV ads over print, broadcast and radio. He recommended paring 8 unfilled staff positions and reclassifying two others — moves that he says will save about $500,000 annually.
On another front, only one bidder, Intralot, submitted a proposal for the state’s multi-million dollar online gaming contract. Two other major lottery firms chose not to bid on the Arkansas contract. One firm, Gtech, said the state’s scoring process was “flawed” and called for a new bid for proposals.
Minimum wage increases
The federal minimum wage increased 70 cents to $7.25 per hour. The increase will raise wages in Arkansas and 29 other states.
Judge dismisses portion of Oklahoma poultry lawsuit
A federal judge dismissed all claims to monetary damages against Arkansas poultry companies in a water quality lawsuit brought by the state of Oklahoma. The judge cited the failure by Oklahoma officials to properly name the Cherokee Nation as a party in the case.
Arkansas poultry companies have been accused of polluting the watershed in the Illinois River basin in Oklahoma, a contentious, long-running lawsuit that has pitted Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson against 12 poultry firms with operations in the region.
Edmondson had sought more than $611 million in damages in the case for alleged contamination of the watershed from chicken litter run-off at local farms.
Arkansas Best posts third consecutive quarterly loss
Arkansas Best Corp. reported a second-quarter net loss of $15.4 million, compared to a $16.2 million profit one year ago. It was the Fort Smith-based trucking firm’s third consecutive quarterly loss. Revenue topped $362.6 million, down 27 percent from the prior year’s second quarter.
IberiaBank sees profits slip slightly in busy quarter
IberiaBank Corp., the parent company of the former Pulaski Bank and Trust, reported second-quarter net income of $8.5 million, down 11 percent from one year ago when earnings topped $9.5 million. IberiaBank incurred a $2.6 million special FDIC deposit insurance premium assessment in the second quarter that applied to all FDIC-insured financial institutions.
For IberiaBank, it was a busy quarter as the Louisiana-based bank holding company repaid its government stimulus funds, changed its bank name in Arkansas and initiated a $165 million public equity offering.
Simmons may add 80 new jobs in NW Arkansas
Simmons Foods will invest $8 million to expand its pet food division in Decatur and restore some of the 80 jobs lost when Black and Decker closed its plant last year.
The Siloam Springs-based chicken company recently got approval to build a 3,600-square-foot pet food facility in Decatur. The facility will eventually employ about 80 people, but Simmons said it will start by adding 15 new positions before the year ends.
Wolverine to close Jonesboro boot plant
Boot-maker Wolverine Worldwide notified employees that it will close its Jonesboro manufacturing plant in the next six to nine months and move production to Big Rapids, Mich.
Ultimately, about 270 jobs will be affected. Nearly half of the plant’s employees will lose their jobs in the next 60 days.
Wal-Mart targets Latino sales with new club
Calling it a one-of-a-kind concept, Wal-Mart officials announced a variation on its popular Sam’s Club franchise. The retail giant will start Mas Club, a Hispanic version of Sam’s Club, in Houston next month.
Mas Club, which means “more club” in Spanish, will carry 4,000 items including many popular Latino brands, such as Badia, Minsa, Dela Rosa and La Huerta. In addition to groceries and goods, Mas Club will also have a money center for wire transfers, check cashing and currency exchange.
Wal-Mart says it only has plans for one club concept like Mas Club at this time even though Hispanic-Americans are projected to make up one-third of the U.S. population by 2050.
J.B. Hunt CFO to retire
As part of a planned succession, J.B. Hunt announced that Chief Financial Officer Jerry Walton will retire Sept. 30.
David Mee, currently senior vice president of tax and risk management and corporate secretary, will assume the position of executive vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer following the conclusion of the third quarter.
Walton, who will remain available as an advisor to the company, was appointed CFO in 1991.
AEDC hires consultant to recruit nonprofits
Arkansas is stepping up its efforts to recruit nonprofits to the state. Pat Lile, former CEO of the Arkansas Community Foundation, has joined the Arkansas Economic Development Commission as a consultant. Lile will work to recruit nonprofit headquarters and regional operations to the state.
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Roby Brock, a freelance journalist based in Little Rock, writes weekly for the Arkansas News Bureau. His weekly television program airs at 10 p.m. Sundays in Central and Northwest Arkansas. His e-mail address is roby@talkbusiness.net; his Web site address is www.talkbusiness.net.
