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| AR Lt Gov Mark Darr with Bust of Ronald Reagan |
Mark is a successful small business owner and lifelong resident of Arkansas. He owns two successful restaurants in Rogers as well as an insurance agency in Little Rock. He has 40 employees and has created over 500 jobs in his career. When Darr first announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Arkansas Lt. Governor the ARRA News Service identified him as a "giant killer" - a "David" against the most liberal democrat past Lt. Governor Bill Halter. After several months former Lt. Gov. Halter announced he would not pursue re-election as Lt. Governor and would instead run for the Democratic nomination for US Senator. Halter lost. However, Mark Darr running on a platform of job creation and government accountability went on to defeat his new Democratic opponent.
He called for an online government checkbook where citizens could see where the government is spending money. When people said this would never happen, Darr would respond that he figured if the the former Lt. Governor could push for the legalization of the Lottery, he could call for more accountability to the public. His efforts has led to a new law being passed by the House and is expected to pass the Senate. Arkansas Governor Beebe has indicated that he will sign the bill if it comes to his desk.
Darr identified that the bill proposed by the legislature does not cover all government expenditures but it is a start to promoting more transparency in government. Everyone agrees that this bill would never have happened if Mark Darr had not been elected and if the number of conservatives in the legislature had not increased.
In receiving the award, Lt. Gov. Darr responded, "I am honored and humbled to receive this award and grateful for the opportunity to speak at this year’s summit. I am thankful every day for the privilege to serve as your Lt. Governor. I will continue to be an advocate for government transparency and fiscal responsibility.”
In other comment Lt. Gov. Darr announced is standing by his campaign promise to promote government transparency and fiscal responsibility by cutting his own budget. “As Lt. Governor, I feel that it is imperative for me to lead by example. That is why I intend to cut 8.8% from our 2011-2012 annual budget, which was proposed by the previous administration. I hope to find additional opportunities to cut wasteful spending. Just as families and businesses across this state are cutting back on spending, we in the government need to do so as well.” He then jokingly announced that on the weekend he would be busing tables at one of his restaurants.
A few of the Twitter related to Mark Darr winning the 2011 Arkansas Defending the American Dream Award.
Laurie Lee Masterson Lt Gov @MarkDarr says he will be acting Gov. This weekend and will still be busing tables at his business
Dr. Bill Smith @ltgovmarkdarr (Mark Darr) discusses his initiated for Arkansas Online Accountable Checkbook
Dr. Bill Smith @ltgovmarkdarr (Mark Darr) receives the AR-AFP Defending the American Dream Award
Laurie Lee Masterson Lt Gov @MarkDarr is being presented the Defending the American Dream award - crowd goes nuts
Tenkellers: Mark Darr business man will be working at his business tomorrow & he will be bussing tables.
Glenn Gallas Mark Darr says as long as I am not part problem I have done my job
Glenn Gallas Mark Darr announces he cut his budget by 8.8 % way to lead by example
Tags: Arkansas, Lt Governor, Mark Darr, Defending the American Dream Award, Americans for Prosperity, AFP To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
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