An important development Sunday in Rep. Mary Bentley’s vendetta against Arkansas Tech, which sits outside the Perry County Republican’s legislative district.

Russellville’s state representative, Republican Ken Henderson, contributed a column to The Courier’s Sunday edition that directly challenged some assertions Bentley has made about Arkansas Tech spending; said Arkansas Tech was treated unfairly in state spending on higher education, and commented:

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It is my belief that our time as local legislators would be better invested in pursuing equitable funding for Arkansas Tech University rather than trying to manage the day-to-day operations of any specific academic department or the university as a whole.

Great words for any legislator and any university in the state. Bentley, with support from some other legislators, has complained about support for the agriculture department. She’s made inaccurate statements about college spending on real estate, on the president’s salary and on the school’s reserve fund. Henderson details that in his op-ed, which is not currently available on-line.

Bentley, a vengeful sort, has been on a tear against Tech ever since it forged ahead with an annual campus sex education program.

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Bentley’s criticism has been joined by legislators Rep. Trevor Drown of Dover and Sens. Gary Standridge of Russellville and Gary Stubblefield of Branch.

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