From The Morning News:

With most of the major issues either already addressed or close to being finalized, the 87th General Assembly has turned the corner and is in the home stretch, said House Speaker Robbie Wills, D-Conway.

Legislation establishing a statewide trauma system and its funding mechanism — an $86 million tax increase on cigarettes and other tobacco products — are now law, approval of legislation setting up Arkansas’ scholarship lottery is expected this week or next, and bills to cut taxes on groceries and manufacturers’ utilities in a slowing economy are expected to get final passage this week.

Gov. Mike Beebe and legislative leaders say it will be difficult for any of the other proposed $1.2 billion in tax cuts and exemptions to get approved.

Read the Rest…