Longtime state senator behind changes to utility regulations resigns for job with electric coop

State Sen. Jonathan Dismang, the Beebe Republican known for his mastery of the unwieldy Arkansas state budgeting process and his advocacy for utility companies, is leaving his lawmaker role to become vice president of external affairs for Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Inc. In his new role, Dismang will handle government relations for 17 electricity distributors that serve about a million customers in Arkansas and surrounding states.