Days-old firm won state grant; it listed focus as economics, health, no expertise in either:
"March 1 — Federal grand jury indicts Woods, Ecclesia College President Oren Paris III and Ecclesia consultant and Arkansas Health and Economic Research officer Shelton in connection with grants surrounding Ecclesia and Decision Point. They plead innocent and await trial.
June 16 — A vote by the Arkansas Bar Association narrowly fails to back a constitutional amendment that would have, among other things, prohibited legislators from spending GIF money for what critics call “pet projects.” Little Rock lawyer Scott Trotter, who helped draft the amendment, continues efforts to put it before Arkansas voters.
July— For first time in six years legislators don’t authorize GIF grant money to regional district offices.
Sept. 7 — Arkansas Supreme Court hears oral arguments in new lawsuit filed by former lawmaker Wilson that asks that individual legislators’ grants through economic development districts be declared unconstitutional. High court is deliberating.
Sources: GIF records, Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Arkansas Supreme Court records, interviews.
— Lisa Hammersly"
'via Blog this'
