Video: Lottery Director Ernie Passailaigue at the Legislative Oversight Committee
Arkansas Lottery Executive Director Ernie Passailaigue presented his salary budget to the Lottery Commission Legislative Oversight Committee this morning. Passailaigue requested approval of a start up budget which included $3 million for salary for 88 positions. Two of these positions, the VP of Admin./COO and the VP Gaming Operations, were both list in the budget at $225,000. Passailaigue emphasized the need to balance hiring individuals with lottery experience with the desire to hire from within Arkansas. Passailiague admitted to the committee that most all of the upper level position will need to be imported from states that have an existing lottery. The recommended budget passed with only one no vote from Sen. Johnny Key, who have problems not only with the salary levels but with errors in the documentations submitted for approval.
Passailaigue expressed his strong desire to get the lottery in operations by October 29, 2009 saying that his reputation is on the online to do so. He even suggested that if he did not achieve this he “might as well go back to South Carolina.” He later distanced himself somewhat from this remark.
“Everybody will know if this is a success or failure,” said Passailaigue. “If it is a failure, nobody will not have to show me the door. If it is a success, I will give all the credit to our staff.”
During his remarks to the committee, Passailaigue commented that he feels the press has mainly been negative in their coverage of the lottery process, but he said he expected this was also the case in South Carolina until the scholarships began and then no one complained. He told me that he felt the press gets involved many times in things that are trivial, such as the issue of keno games. Referring the keno, he stopped short of saying he did not want keno games instead saying, “It’s not important to me… In the scheme of things, it is a 1 out of 100. In the scheme of things, Powerball is a 99 out of 100.” He said he could not understand why it is a big issue, but he now understands that it is.
When asked by the press about the salary level of the two employees in South Carolina who he desire to hire at the $225,00 level, he could not remember exactly what their salary level was but said he thinks it around the $130,000 to $140,000 range.
“I talk a little bit about South Carolina because I think because I think that gives you a roadmap to the future,” Passailaigue remarked. “But that’s history for me. I have left South Carolina and I’m in Arkansas.”
Rep. Vic Snyder appeared this afternoon on KARN to discuss his vote in favor of Cap and Trade with guest host David Sanders. Rep. Snyder insisted that his vote was a vote on conscience and that although the bill in not perfect it is better than nothing. “People who are critical of Cap and Trade have reason to be critical.” Snyder admitted. He said that in spite of those opposed to the energy bill that opposition is not universal. He cited Entergy as lobbying him strongly to vote for the bill leading him to override his constituents concerns. He went on the explain that he was alright with voting for the bill in spite the problem because “It will not become law” as he feels the Senate has not chance on passing it in its current form.
want to continue that on.” She said that she would be continuing to focus on consumer protection, victim’s rights, and sexual offender legislation, issues she worked heavily on in the previous session. I ask Creekmore about her strategy coming on the heels Sen. Broadway who is very popular in the district. She said that she wished she could make a hologram so that she could be in as many place at the same time and Sen. Broadway was known for being but that she will just be herself and honest.
to continue his excellent representation.
already drawn competition for the Democratic Primary. Todd Witham, a local small business owner and former U.S. Marine, has also announced that he will be running as well. Witham grew up in Benton but now lives in West Little Rock (Yes, District 22 includes Benton, Bryant, Bauxite and part of West Little Rock.) Witham and his wife Carol owns
Van Buren attorney Kevin Holmes announced today that he will run for State Representative District 66 as a Republican.
and small business owner, I see first hand the effect high taxes have on our families and I will continue my fight to keep taxes low … Smaller government, lower taxes, and more jobs, those are the commitments I’ve fought for on the Quorum Court and will strive to achieve while in the State Legislature.”
Somewhere buried under the coverage of Michael Jackson and Mark Sanford, the Energy Bill (often called Cap and Trade Bill) was passed by a hair in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday night with only one vote to spare. The bill sponsors hold that the bill will reduce greenhouse gasses by 17 percent in the next 11 years and is necessary to help save our planet. Opponents argue that the bill is unnecessary and will dramatically increase utility costs. The
debate and bring the bill up for a vote. With 40 Republicans and 57 Democrats, 2 Independents, and the Minnesota seats still unresolved, there is no doubt that Sen. Blanche Lincoln will be feeling the pressure on this one with her potential Republican opponents already bring up the issue.
Mike Huckabee last week announced
Those who follow the social media scene in Arkansas are familiar with
UPDATE - Evidently, 