Under the Dome

Memorial Day

2012-05-28T16:18:00.001-05:00

Voter turnout

2012-05-24T07:50:00.001-05:00

Post election analysis shows that while voter turnout was dismal statewide, local races in my senate district drove high turnout.

Of the 75 counties in the state, Little River was 2nd in voter turnout (45%), and Sevier (41%) was 3rd. Only Pike County (46%) turned out a higher percentage of voters.

In contrast, Hempstead was 71st (15.9%). The only locally contested race in my district in Hempstead County was Constable of Bois D'Arc Township.

Election Day

2012-05-22T18:11:00.001-05:00

Midnight update: I'm very grateful and humbled by the support I received today. Complete but unofficial results give us a victory by over 600 votes. I want to thank Larry Cowling...he and his brother Ken have done great things for Little River County. I'll see each of you soon as we take our message of jobs and education back to the people!

6:10 pm: From texts, phone calls, and my own observations, it sounds like it's been a fairly light turnout throughout my senate district, with a few exceptions: Fouke, Little River County, and Sevier County. I'm still out and about at polling places and intersections. I'll try and post results as they come available.

Election Eve

2012-05-21T08:27:00.001-05:00

Working the plant gate at Cooper Tire talking to voters. Please remember to vote today or tomorrow!

Final weekend

2012-05-18T20:14:00.001-05:00

The weekend is here, and Camille and I are hanging out at the Little River County Relay for Life

6 Days Out

2012-05-16T14:12:00.001-05:00

Candidates are busy getting out the last minute message for Tuesday's primaries...here's our final full page ad for Little River.

One week out

2012-05-15T13:00:00.001-05:00

The Preferential Primaries will take place a week from today in Arkansas, and early voting is ongoing. Click here to view your sample ballot and polling place address, etc.

Railfest in downtown Texarkana

2012-05-12T22:23:00.001-05:00

With Diamond Rio

Whistlestop Festival in Ashdown

2012-05-12T22:22:00.001-05:00

Domtar CEO John Williams visits

2012-05-08T12:42:00.001-05:00

Domtar CEO John Williams visited the Ashdown paper mill today. Here are a couple of pictures of the visit, one with members of the Community Advisory Team and one with local Steelworkers.

Early voting begins

2012-05-07T08:23:00.001-05:00

The first ballot cast in Miller County went to Steve Harrelson for Senate. Please join me and vote early at your local county courthouse from 8-6 (10-4 on Saturdays).

Candidates are still out hitting the pavement hard campaigning. Here I am at testerday's unveiling of a newly-found portrait of former Governor Jeff Davis of Rocky Comfort (Little River O). Davis was the first governor to serve three terms in office. It's said that Huey P. Long of Louisiana thought a lot of Davis ... He was apparently a colorful character. I'm pictured with Little River District Judge Johnny Finley, Ashdown Mayor Carroll McLarty, and Little River County Judge Clayton Castleman as the portrait is unveiled (and this was Camille's first photography gig for the campaign).

Introducing local students to the new UofA campus in Texarkana

2012-05-05T09:15:00.000-05:00

Local high school students visited the new UofA campus in Texarkana recently. Miller County ranks 75th of 75 counties in students utilizing the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, which is funded largely by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. One reason for that is that the scholarship lottery cannot be used by Arkansas students at the other two colleges in Texarkana, Texarkana College and Texas A&M-Texarkana. This college will bring needed opportunities for Miller County and help provide a pipeline to the UA system flagship in Fayetteville. The director of this campus will report to Chris Thomason, the chancellor at UACCH.

Update on the John W. Turk Power Plant

2012-05-04T09:14:00.000-05:00

I toured the new Turk Power Plant last week, and it is expected to be fully operational by November of this year. There are currently over 1,600 workers at the site, which is vitally important to our regional economy. Construction is moving at a swift pace, and the technology utilized at this plant is second to none. I'm hopeful that our local colleges can continue to develop curriculum to prepare our students for jobs like the ones being created here. Here are a few pictures of the tour:

DeQueen Lion's Club

2012-05-01T09:42:00.002-05:00

I'm off to DeQueen to speak at the Lion's Club luncheon alongside my cousin, Rep. Nate Steel. Nate's House district and my Senate district overlap in Sevier County, and it's been great being able to represent that county together.

New radio ad #1

2012-04-27T08:35:00.002-05:00

Click here to hear our new radio ad.

The Texarkana Gazette profiles our race today

2012-04-26T08:12:00.001-05:00

The Texarkana Gazette is publishing a summary of positions of local candidates almost daily, and today, they're profiling our race:

Larry Cowling
Steve Harrelson

Other races in the Democratic primary in this five county region include the fourth district congressional race, sheriff's primaries in Little River County (three candidates) and Sevier County (two candidates), a county judge's race in Little River County, a county clerk's race in Sevier County, four contested city council races in Ashdown, and an array of races for constable and justice of the peace.

Voter registration drive

2012-04-23T09:09:00.001-05:00

Candidates are scurrying to register voters for the May 22 preferential primary in Arkansas. Today is the last day to register to be able to vote in the upcoming May election. Visit your county clerk at the local county courthouse or a state revenue office for driver services today to register.

Local item on the Personnel agenda today

2012-04-17T08:29:00.001-05:00

I'm on my way to the Capitol to help push through approval for a director for the UofA campus in Texarkana that is set to open in the fall. I'll post updates from the meeting.

Update: Approved. Please pass the word along to your friend with Higher Ed/Administrative backgrounds. I'll post updates about the position once it opens.

Broadband Internet service in rural southwest Arkansas

2012-04-17T04:59:00.003-05:00

High speed Internet service has been a hot issue here locally, with letters to the editor and community meetings centered around the topic. One project has been completed in northeastern Little River County. Connect Arkansas has been circulating surveys in the area, and the responses are as follows:

• I would like to get high-speed Internet service at the address below, but to my knowledge, no service is available.
56.3%

• I have high-speed Internet, but the service is too slow and/or unreliable.
50.0%

• I currently do not subscribe to high-speed Internet because it is too expensive.
37.5%

• I would subscribe to high-speed Internet if an affordable option was available at the address below.
43.8%

• How much would you pay for service per month?
Highest - $50.00; lowest $20.00

If you're reading Under the Dome on a dial-up modem, fill out one of these surveys and have it submitted. Broadband providers are using these responses to see where there is demand and need for service, and it is my understanding that other project in our area are already in the works.

Columbia County Survey
Hempstead County Survey
Lafayette County Survey
Little River County Survey
Miller County Survey
Sevier County Survey

My Jobs Plan

2012-04-16T08:10:00.003-05:00

With three weeks left until the start of early voting, I'm focusing in on my number one priority as your senator, and that's creating new jobs for southwest Arkansas while retaining the jobs and industry that are here.

My plan is based on five broad themes:

(1) I want to continue to maintain a lean and efficient government with a balanced budget that doesn’t require additional taxes from employers;

(2) I want to focus on the needs of small business owners and farmers, which is the engine of our economy in southwest Arkansas;

(3) I want to promote transportation and manufacturing in an effort to make our area a transportation intermodal hub

(4) I want to invest in education, STEM, and vocational training to provide a ready workforce; and

(5) I support the governor’s quick action closing fund, which was used in 2008 to help keep Cooper Tire when we were faced with competing against other U.S. tire plants.

We must build an economy to grow into the 21st century if we want to compete with neighboring states. With this plan in action, we have already seen the construction of the John W. Turk Power Plant in my district, which currently employs over 1,700 jobs. I carried what is now Act 910 through the Arkansas Senate in 2011 for the construction of this plant. These five broad themes are my proposals for a stronger economy for southwest Arkansas, and together, we can continue to make this a better place to live, work, and raise families.

Texarkana Area Veterans Council

2012-04-16T08:08:00.001-05:00

I met with local veterans yesterday to discuss differences in Arkansas and Texas law as applied to veterans. Years ago, Texas instituted a land bank for veterans, which has helped combat veterans get life started again upon return from war. We also discussed the naming of a soon to be bridge in Texarkana after local veterans killed in action.

There's an app for that

2012-04-12T14:00:00.001-05:00

The Arkansas Dept of Education has launched a mobile app that that provides easy access to information on Arkansas school districts, schools, and educational cooperatives. It can also be used on desktop and laptop computers.

The app was developed by the Department's Research and Technology Division. It includes handy contact information and quick links to maps locating each school. The app is available for use by the general public, including educators, news media, and anyone interested in Arkansas schools. Click here:

https://adedata.arkansas.gov/mobile/

Governor Bookout

2012-04-11T09:07:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to Senator Paul Bookout, who is serving as governor today. Governor Beebe is in China and Lt. Gov. Darr is out of state.

Ramping up our online audience

2012-03-26T08:39:00.001-05:00

We're closing in on 2500 Facebook fans -- 2500th gets the $30 gift certificate to the Fish Bowl restaurant at Millwood Lake I won in a recent auction in Ashdown. Like our page and join our team today!

https://www.facebook.com/harrelsonforsenate

Arkansas coverage on The Thicket

2012-03-13T11:19:00.003-05:00

One of my daily stops on the blogosphere is The Thicket, a blog hosted by the National Conference of State Legislatures that often features issues and events taking place in capitols across America. The focus on the blog recently has been Arkansas, with a couple of entries about the historic speaker of the house election. Here are links:

Historic times for Arkansas legislature

Arkansas designates new leaders for 2013