Media

Keet to Early Vote on Friday

Republican candidate for governor Jim Keet will be early voting tomorrow, Friday, October 29, 2010 with his wife Doody before he travels to south Arkansas for the day.

Keet and his wife will be voting at 9:00 A.M. at the Pulaski County Regional Building located at 501 W. Markham in Little Rock. Press is welcome to attend and Keet will be available for questions after the vote.

October 28, 2010
Unemployment Numbers Up

Arkansas’s unemployment numbers are up again according to a release from the Department of Workforce Services on Friday, October 22, 2010. The release showed that unemployment in Arkansas is now up to 7.7 percent, which is as high as it has been since Governor Beebe took office 28 years ago.

Last month unemployment in Arkansas was 7.5 percent. The increase translates into 800 jobs lost in the last month and 30,100 jobs lost since September of 2009.

“The governor has repeatedly said in speeches and commercials that his administration has created or announced 25,000 jobs. The fact remains that 9,000 of those jobs were retained rather than new jobs. Of the remaining 16,000 ‘announced jobs’ from the AEDC report many have not come to fruition or the companies have actually laid off employees,” said Republican nominee for governor Jim Keet.

Arkansas continues to rank 49th in median income and 24 of 75 counties in Arkansas did not have one job created or announced. Despite the governors claims of 25,000 jobs; Arkansas has lost 45,000 private sector jobs in the last four years and 30,100 in the last year. At the same time, over 3,500 state jobs have been added.

“We must attack this problem at its roots, new government policies are needed to halt the job loss and create new jobs for Arkansans,” said Keet. “The antiquated tax code must be changed. We rank 40th in business tax climate and our personal income tax is unfair to the middle class. To attract and retain companies of all sizes we must lower the income tax for individuals and businesses and phase out the capital gains tax. A more vibrant economy will result as we retain capital which currently flees our state. We also need to reduce burdensome regulations and make Arkansas more business friendly for businesses of all sizes. According to the Chamber of Commerce we rank 39th in business friendliness, this must change.”

October 25, 2010
Double Dipping Continues

 The front page of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette today shows that double dipping in Arkansas continues to be a problem. The article states that since the new law that attempts to stop double dipping was passed in July of 2009, 26 state employees have found ways to continue the practice.

The double dipping referred to in the article occurs when a state employee retires, begins to draw retirement benefits from the state and then is rehired back to the original job. The practice allows the employee to collect retirement as well as salary.

Again we see Governor Mike Beebe being reactive instead of proactive in this situation. Republican nominee Jim Keet addressed this issue back in June when he unveiled his six point ethics reform proposal. The proposal was largely ignored by Beebe.

“Governor Beebe’s attitude toward government ethics was exhibited by his lack of a response to my ethics reform proposal,” said Keet. “This article again shows that ethics reform is needed in Arkansas to restore the taxpayer’s faith in government.”

The current law allows state employees to be rehired to the same position after six months of retirement. This practice is unfair to all the other former state employees who have used the state retirement system ethically.

Governor Beebe should take immediate action to make sure this questionable practice, that uses hard earned taxpayer dollars, is stopped immediately. 

October 21, 2010
Keet Calls on Gov. Beebe to Join Obamacare Lawsuit

In light of yesterdays decision by a Florida judge to let the Obamacare lawsuit filed by 20 states and the NFIB go forward, Jim Keet is once again calling on Governor Mike Beebe and Attorney General Dustin McDaniel to join the lawsuit.

Senator Keet has always been opposed to Obamacare because it is an absolute job killer, will cost the state $200 million that we cannot afford, and is a violation of the 10th Amendment.

After Keet hand delivered a letter to Beebe asking him to join the Obamacare lawsuit Beebe said “you can’t defy the federal government, we tried that in 1957 and it didn’t work then,” because of this court decision we see that is simply not true.

“I once again call on Governor Mike Beebe to direct Attorney General Dustin McDaniel to join the lawsuit against Obamacare. With the decision reached by the Florida judge we can see that there are still constitutional questions with this law that need to be answered,” said Keet. “Governor Beebe should stand up to the federal government and oppose this unfunded mandate that is not only a violation of the 10th Amendment, but is too costly and will cause hard working Arkansans to lose their jobs.”

October 15, 2010
Jim Keet Performs Strong In Debate

Republican Gubernatorial candidate Jim Keet appeared in a debate Tuesday with Democrat nominee Governor Mike Beebe and Green party nominee Jim Lendall. The debate was held on the campus of UCA before a heavily pro Keet crowd.

In his opening Keet explained how his business experience will help bring jobs and a new hands-on management perspective to the state.

“Thirty five years ago my wife and I moved to Arkansas, the land of opportunity, to pursue our dreams. My business partner, Jerry Hamra, and I invested in a small restaurant chain called Wendy’s, and grew it into the best Wendy’s franchise in the world,” said Keet. “We need a new perspective, a businessman’s perspective, to change the policies of this state.”

Governor Beebe spent most of the debate defending policies and inaction on numerous issues including government waste, the personal use of state owned vehicles, and illegal immigration. Keet said we must be proactive not reactive.

“We must start eliminating waste at the top. On day one I will cut 20 percent from the governor’s office budget and 20 percent from my personal salary until unemployment is below 5.5 percent. We need to set a good example in the governor’s office,” said Keet. “I will be diligent about cutting unnecessary waste and having a hands on approach.”

Beebe defended the amount of state cars saying only “somewhere in the neighborhood of 230 cars are used for commutes.” Keet contends Beebe is part of the problem citing when Beebe said that he did not know the law and personal use of the cars had been the “tradition and practice” of the constitutional officers.

October 12, 2010
Governor Mike Beebe Receives a D

The Cato Institute released its 2010 Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's governors last week and Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe received a D.

This is the tenth edition of the annual report card that examines the taxing and spending policies of Governors. Those who cut taxes and spending receive the highest grade of an A. Four governors received an A, they are:  South Carolina Governor Mark Stanford (R), Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal (R), Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (R), and West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin (D).

The report had this to say about Mike Beebe:

“Governor Beebe signed into law reductions in sales taxes on groceries in 2007 and 2009.

But he has also supported tax increases. In 2008, he approved a large increase in severance taxes on natural gas companies; in 2009, he hit cigarette consumers with a tax increase of 56 cents per pack. On spending, the governor’s budgets have promoted larger increases than typical in the other states.”

“When state revenues are forecasted to be lower we cannot afford to add thousands of new state employees and other reckless costs such as the purchase of hundreds of new state cars,” said Jim Keet, the Republican nominee for governor. “These expenditures have precipitated postponing crucial projects like the trauma centers and made it impossible to give warranted raises to state employees. Every business and family understands that when revenues are lower it is not prudent to add more costs.”

October 4, 2010
The Jim Keet Agenda, 10 for 2010

1.  Job creation

I will work with the appropriate agencies to create America’s most business friendly environment so that the private sector can thrive and hire hard working Arkansans. (We are currently ranked 39th by the Chamber of Commerce.) Reducing the amount of burdensome regulations is a key component of becoming more business friendly.

2.  Tax Reform

Tax reform is needed to help promote economic vitality. I will stop the flight of businesses to other states by responsibly cutting the capital gains taxes, corporate taxes, and making the personal income tax structure fairer overtime. (We are currently ranked 40th in business taxes by The Tax Foundation.)

3.  Fight Obamacare

Once elected, I will push the Attorney General to join the lawsuit against Obamacare that 20 states and the NFIB have filed. In addition to the 10th Amendment questions, Obamacare is costing jobs at a time our unemployment rate is near a three decade high.

4.  Immigration policy

I will introduce a comprehensive immigration policy that addresses our unique situation and problems.

5.  Stop the growth of government

On day one I will take a census of state employees and we will not have one additional state employee 4 years from now. We have thousands of great state employees, but we must eliminate waste and stop the growth of government.

6.  Reduce wasteful government spending

I will lead by example by cutting 20% out of the governor’s office budget and my personal salary. The $5.2 million state plane will be sold and a plane will be leased when appropriate. I will also eliminate unnecessary state vehicles and stop their inappropriate personal use at the taxpayer’s expense.

September 29, 2010
Keet on New Economics

Governor Beebe released a statement today claiming that “Arkansas’s economy continued its upward climb today.” While Governor Beebe might consider the loss of 10,900 jobs and an increase in the unemployment rate an “upward climb”, Jim Keet knows we can do better. The Bureau of Labor statistics released data today which show that 10,900 jobs were lost in Arkansas and that the unemployment rate increased to 7.5%.  

Arkansas has lost over 45,000 jobs during Mike Beebe’s term in office, notwithstanding the dubious claim of “25,000 jobs” which was stated on a banner at a recent Beebe event. Governor Beebe claims progress on per capita personal income, when in fact income is declining. In 2008, Arkansas per capita personal income was $32,695. In 2009 per capita personal income decreased to $32,423. Governor Beebe should not be seeking political credit for the state of the economy while Arkansas is losing jobs and personal income is declining.  

“We need new economic policies to create jobs in Arkansas,” said Keet. “Governor Beebe has been touting his success at economic development, but the numbers released today show that his policies are not working. As I have traveled the state I have always said I would give a realistic assessment of the problem that we face, and offer positive solutions to get our economy moving again. We need to make Arkansas more business friendly in order to create jobs.”  

September 21, 2010
Beebe Turns Down Debate

Governor Mike Beebe has refused to debate Jim Keet despite the willingness of a network television affiliate to televise a gubernatorial debate. 

“Our state faces serious challenges as we look to the future,” said Keet. “The people of Arkansas deserve the opportunity to evaluate both candidates in an open debate in order to make an informed decision about who will lead the state for the next four years; Mike Beebe is depriving them of that opportunity.”

The debate that Keet proposed would be on network television and be broadcast statewide in primetime.

“The citizens of Arkansas deserve to hear directly from Mike Beebe and me in a face to face debate. We both need to be onstage answering tough questions. Why would he shrink from the challenge? We have seen and heard enough from the Beebe campaign consultant, now its time to hear from the Governor directly” said Keet. “He has been touting his record from last three and a half years; if he is comfortable with his record he should have no problem defending it onstage in a debate. Surely a trial lawyer who has been in politics for 28 years can’t be concerned about debating a businessman.”

On September 1, 2010, Jim Keet issued a release in conjunction with a news conference challenging Beebe to a debate which included the following issues:

1.      Jobs- Governor Beebe has said “25,000 jobs have been announced” during his time as governor, but those announcements don’t translate to jobs. Arkansas has lost tens of thousands of jobs in the last four years, and we need a solid plan to revitalize our economy.

2.      Obamacare- Governor Beebe failed to lead by not taking a position until after the bill was passed. He also will not join in the lawsuit filed by 20 states and the NFIB. I have traveled the state and met with businesses, hospitals, and healthcare professionals who are worried about the future of healthcare.

September 20, 2010
State Car Abuse Moves GOP to Pursue Lawsuit

Source: Republican Party of Arkansas

Party says constitutional officers violated Arkansas Constitution

Little Rock, Ark. – After months of alleged state car abuse by Arkansas’ constitutional officers and state agencies, Republican Party of Arkansas (RPA) Chairman Doyle Webb announced in a press conference today the RPA has sought legal counsel in preparation to file an action next week asking state courts to rule that the use of a state vehicle for personal purposes by our constitutional officers is unconstitutional based on Amendment 70 of the Arkansas Constitution.

Amendment 70 to the Arkansas Constitution sets the salaries of constitutional officers and prohibits “any other income from the state of Arkansas, whether in the form of salaries or expenses.” The Amendment was passed at the general election in 1992 by an overwhelming vote of 578,609 for and 235,932 against.

“Our constitutional officers believe by reporting their personal use of a state vehicle as income they are in compliance with state law,” said RPA Chairman Doyle Webb. “However, it is our position that when constitutional officers accept this additional income over and above their constitutionally provided salaries, they are in violation of the income limitations provided in Arkansas Constitution Amendment 70.”  Webb said he considers the personal use of state vehicles by constitutional officers additional income or expenses.

In July, the State GOP held a press conference to discuss the possibility of filing an illegal exaction suit after Governor Mike Beebe, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, Land Commissioner Mark Wilcox, and other Constitutional office holders were questioned for their personal use of tax-payer funded cars. Since then, a similar suit was filed by private citizens in Arkansas, but did not include allegations concerning the limitations established by Amendment 70.

September 17, 2010