Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders outlined her priorities for the upcoming state budget in a letter sent Wednesday to Arkansas lawmakers.
Sanders is proposing a 3% increase in state spending, which she noted aligns with the average increase over the past several years.
“Our top priority leading into fiscal session is to limit the growth of government while still investing in our top priorities, allowing us to continue to responsibly phase out the state income tax,” Sanders wrote. “Achieving all three objectives is not easy, but this budget moves us toward those goals.”
Among the proposals is $122 million in additional funding for the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program, along with $70 million set aside for future program growth. Sanders said approximately 44,000 students are currently enrolled in the EFA program.
The proposal drew questions during a Joint Budget Committee meeting Wednesday. Rep. Jim Wooten, R-Beebe, asked Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Secretary Jim Hudson whether public schools would receive additional funding under the governor’s plan.
Hudson said public schools would continue to receive funding increases through the state’s educational adequacy fund, but not through the specific allocations in Sanders’ proposed budget.
Wooten then asked Hudson, “Then, we are turning our back on public education? Is that correct?”
Hudson responded, “No, sir. That is not correct.”
Sen. Breanne Davis, R-Russellville, added that the Legislature has increased per-student funding every year, including an increase of about 3% this year.
Sanders’ proposed budget also includes $53.4 million for a new state employee pay plan, with most of the funding directed toward corrections officers and Arkansas State Police troopers.
Other funding proposals include:
$6 million for higher education
$7 million for drug task forces
$5 million to address Arkansas’ SNAP error rate
$6 million for the 10:33 Initiative, a faith-based community outreach pilot program launched last October
“My team has worked hard to build a budget that limits growth, invests in priority areas, and allows us to make additional cuts to Arkansas’ income tax once the fiscal session concludes,” Sanders wrote. “I look forward to your consideration and our continued collaboration to cut costs, improve services, and make Arkansas a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”
The Arkansas legislative fiscal session begins April 8, and the full proposed budget is available on the Arkansas Legislature’s website.
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