Cottonmouths Attack FOIA At The Capitol….Steinbuch Curls Up With Them.
I call it like it is and don’t sugar coat….So get ready for some Hot Sauce.
Mar 20, 2025
Even before this Legislative Session began, I was telling you the Freedom Thieves were coming….and they did.
Reality is we have a few Conservatives at the Swamp we call the State Capitol….But the Cottonmouths by far make up the majority.
While they have been focused, and successful, in stomping on Citizens’ rights to amend the State Constitution, they couldn’t resist the urge to once again try and take away your rights in FOIA regarding Open Meetings.
Lately I have been telling you about the best Pro-FOIA, Pro-Transparency Bill to come along in decades, Senate Bill 227.
At its Heart, it clarifies that secret meetings of School Boards, City Councils, Quorum Courts and such are not allowed under the law….Something the People have been begging for.
It overwhelmingly passed the Senate, was just passed unanimously by the House Committee and is expected to easily pass on the House floor.
It has massive Statewide support and surprisingly has support from the Cottonmouths as well….or does it ?
Cottonmouths aren’t just slimy…. they are extremely sneaky. They like to lull you into a false sense of security while they slither around behind you, suddenly sinking their fangs right into your unsuspecting Ass.
That’s exactly what is happening right now at the Swamp.
As I reported to you on March 12th and 17th, Senator Alan Clark has taken the lead on this behind-the-back attack on FOIA by running Senate Bill 376 which does the exact opposite of what Senate Bill 227 does.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18q1TZCzVm/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FHwnk9cJg/
Clark’s Bill actually will put into law that members of School Boards, City Councils, Quorum Courts and such can have secret serial meetings to deliberate and decide Your business….Exactly what the People across our State don’t want !
That Bill passed the Senate today, with the help of fellow Cottonmouths Dan Sullivan, Blake Johnson, John Payton, and is headed for the House State Agencies Committee. If it passes there, it will then go to the House floor and if passed there, will go into law and destroy what was accomplished for the People in Senate Bill 227.
To get to the Senate floor it had to pass the Senate State Agencies Committee which it did….twice….Enter Robert Steinbuch.
Steinbuch has long been thought of as a Defender and Warrior for citizens’ rights in FOIA and for the most part he was….Did you catch that ?….Was.
He has always played footsie and cozied up to State Legislators, even brags in interviews and publicly brags about how he is friends with so many of them and how he has the inside information on how they will vote….From recent accounts, it appears he has curled up and become one of them.
In the Committee meetings on SB376, instead of boldly standing up for the Citizens’ rights and denouncing the Bill as an attack on FOIA, Steinbuch, in jellyfish fashion, meekly said he preferred SB227 but would support Clark’s Bill allowing secret meetings.
At that point, it was no shock when he was nowhere to be seen when SB227 ran in the House Committee Wednesday.
As one decades long Press member told me today “Steinbuch is now the Poster Child for meetings behind closed doors.”….I’d say that’s pretty damn accurate.
So how do we defeat the Cottonmouths and preserve our Freedoms and Rights to know in Our FOIA?
Well when SB376 goes to the House Committee, we show up in force….We fill that committee room and speak against the Bill….We text and call our State Representatives and tell them to vote NO to SB376….We become FOIA Warriors and stand for each other….That’s how you defeat Cottonmouths.
The legislature takes a break next week, so it will more than likely be in the House Committee week after next. Of course, we at Arkansas 1st News will keep you updated and let you know when it is set to be run.
Now if you are wondering if I have reached out to Clark and Steinbuch for their side ?….Yes….I have.
I have invited them to come on a podcast with me to discuss and have asked for statements….No response whatsoever.
Let me finish with this –
There’s only one reason to be Anti-Transparency….and that’s to be Pro-Corruption.
#FactsNotFiction
Professional Bully Fighter I investigate and report on issues around the State of Arkansas with an emphasis on Government. I am strong conservative however I bring Truth and Facts regardless of Party affiliation….My hashtag is #FactsNotFiction
Great article Jimmie.
It saddens me that there are so many of our reps and senators that forgot about the people who put them in their positions and choose to ignore the people’s voice. It’s all about them and their agendas.
#swampkoolaidedrinkers