News ReleasesFilter
Rutledge Holds 1st Rutledge Roundtable in Jonesboro
Tue, Apr 21, 2015JONESBORO – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge released the following statement today after holding the first of what will be a regular series of Rutledge Roundtables. Last Friday, April 17, Rutledge met with more than 15 community and business leaders in Jonesboro to discuss issues critical to the region and the State.
“I am excited to launch the Rutledge Roundtables. As I travel the State and hold meetings at the Attorney General’s Office in Little Rock, I want to create a robust dialogue with members of the community. These discussions will allow me to detail the services my office provides, as well as offer them an opportunity to share their concerns with me.”
The first Rutledge Roundtable was held at the Front Page Café in Jonesboro.
To participate in future Roundtables, contact the Attorney General’s Office at (501) 682-3651 or Cindy.Murphy@arkansasag.gov.
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Rutledge: Court Hears Arguments Challenging the EPA’s Proposed 111(d) Rule
Thu, Apr 16, 2015Occurs same day that the EPA is holding a public hearing in Arkansas to discuss the federal implementation plan for regional haze
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today announced that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia heard oral arguments in the federal lawsuit challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed 111(d) rule that seeks to reduce carbon emissions from electric generating units. At the request of Attorney General Rutledge, Arkansas was granted intervention in this case on March 9. These arguments occurred on the same day that the EPA held a public hearing in Arkansas on the federal implementation plan for regional haze. Rutledge released the following statement:
“Today, the D.C. Circuit has heard that this proposed rule goes beyond the EPA’s authority, granted by Congress in the Clean Air Act, and seeks to impose a national energy policy that will harm the U.S. economy. Requiring states to reduce carbon emission by 30 percent in 15 years would simply put many out of business, leaving Arkansas unable to maintain steady job growth.
“Also today, the EPA is holding a hearing in Arkansas to receive public comments on a federal plan to address regional haze. This plan, along with the 111(d) rule, could force large numbers of power plants across the U.S. to close, including ones in Arkansas. I hope the EPA will listen to the concerns of the public at this hearing. In the Natural State, we value clean air and clean water, but this type of federal overreach will lead to reduced economic growth – something the people of Arkansas cannot afford.”
Rutledge sought the motion to intervene on Feb. 13 to join the lawsuit with attorneys general from West Virginia, Alabama, Alaska, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wyoming and Kentucky. Wisconsin was granted intervention after Arkansas.
As indicated in the motion, Arkansas is required to meet the sixth most stringent obligation of all the states under the proposed 111(d) rule, yet Arkansas ranks 46th in per capita income. The EPA proposes emissions rate reductions of 41 percent and 44 percent as interim and final requirements. The drastic reductions required under the proposed rule will negatively impact existing industry, future economic development and electric ratepayers in Arkansas.
Rutledge testified about this proposed EPA rule, as well as other EPA policies at the U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Subcommittee on the Interior in February. Click here for a copy of Rutledge’s opening statement, or a video can be found here.
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Rutledge to Hold First Statewide Tele-Town Hall on Arkansas FOIA
Mon, Apr 13, 2015LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today announced that she will hold a statewide tele-town hall meeting to educate the public about the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Rutledge released the following statement:
“Arkansas has a strong FOIA that is regarded across the country as one of the best at holding government accountable and helping citizens stay informed. As the people’s lawyer, I am committed to protecting the democratic ideal of an open and transparent government and helping educate Arkansans about the FOIA. I am excited to use technology in an innovative way to help bring Arkansans closer to their government.”
The statewide tele-town hall will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 23. For those interested in participating, please sign up by emailing foia@arkansasag.gov with your name, telephone number and city.
The tele-town hall will be the first in a series of informational meetings, both traditional as well as webcast, to inform Arkansans about the FOIA.
All that is needed to participate is a telephone. Participants will be given an opportunity to ask Attorney General Rutledge questions related to the FOIA. Those who have signed up in advance will receive an automated phone call just before the tele-town hall begins and will receive instructions on how to participate.
Print copies of the 16th edition of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Handbook are available upon request from the Attorney General’s Office, and an electronic copy of the handbook is available on the Attorney General’s website by visiting arkansasag.gov/media-center/foia.
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Rutledge Seeks to Raise Greater Awareness of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence
Fri, Apr 10, 2015LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge issued the following statement after addressing the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence membership meeting:
“April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, and I am committed to doing everything I can to raise awareness about this issue across our State. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, one in four women and one in seven men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner. In 2014, there were nine confirmed homicides in Arkansas that were a result of domestic violence. Domestic violence is brutal and inexcusable. I encourage any Arkansan in an abusive relationship, male or female, adult or teenager, to reach out for help. The Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence is a great organization, and as long as I am in this office they will have a partner in the Attorney General to reduce and prevent domestic violence and sexual assault.”
To reach the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence, call 1-800-269-4668 or visit domesticpeace.com.