Gov. Beebe Upset with Lt. Gov. Darr Over Bill Signing, Darr Responds

Governor Mike Beebe had harsh words for Lt. Gov. Mark Darr, who signed legislation exempting the concealed-carry permit list from the state Freedom of Information Act as acting governor while Beebe was out of town.

According to the Arkansas Times, Beebe called Darr's action "inappropriate."

"I heard he said something about, if he embarrassed me, [he] apologizes," Beebe told reporters this morning. "He didn't embarrass me. He embarrassed himself. That's his problem. We'll be much more careful with regard to Darr."

The Arkansas Times reports that Beebe said he would have to be cautious about leaving the state from now on.

"You've got to be careful and not turn your back if things like that are going to happen," he said. "Because I owe it to the people, they elect me to be the governor. We know what a lieutenant governor is, it's a part-time job."

Lieutenant Governor Mark A. Darr issued the following statement in response to Governor Beebe's comments on the signing of Act 145:

"I respect the office of the Governor, the Constitution of the State of Arkansas, but mostly I respect the citizens of Arkansas and the 130,000 citizens that are now protected under this law.

"I want to thank the number of constituents who have called and emailed in support of this law. People like Donna Schaefer of Carlisle, who took the time to come to the Capitol today and express how grateful she was. Donna and her 82 year old mother were two names that were released yesterday by a reporter here in Little Rock. Her story is an example of why I felt the urgent need to sign this bill into law.

"It is important to remember that Act 145 received a tremendous amount of support from the Arkansas Legislature with a vote of 84 to 9 in the House and 24 to 9 in the Senate."

Photo: David Goins