Legislature passes $5.3 billion budget at Fiscal Session concludes in Little Rock

Legislature passes $5.3 billion budget at Fiscal Session concludes in Little Rock

The House has now wrapped up its 4th Fiscal Session in the history of the state. Our last order of business was approving a $5.3 billion balanced budget which includes a 2.8% increase in spending from last year.

The increases include:

• $23.7 million for education

• $88 million for traditional Medicaid and 6 months of funding for Arkansas Works

• $3.5 million for behavioral health programs

• $20 million for foster care programs within DHS

• $2 million for higher education grants

• $1.5 million for economic development

• $4 million for the Department of Correction

• $5.2 million for merit pay adjustment for state employees.

We are also transferring $50 million in surplus fund to the rainy day fund as well. This fund is intended to be used for emergencies and any needs the governor may see that cannot wait until the next session.

The rainy day fund will play an important role as we approach the next special session to address highways. The Governor has indicated the rainy day fund may be used to help cover immediate needs for our roads. We expect to be called into special session later this month.

Coming to an agreement on how state funds should be spent is never easy. We know we are being asked to prioritize money you worked hard to earn.

Although going into the session we may have differing ideas on what those priorities should be, we walk away this year knowing all state programs are fully funded, that taxes are not being raised, and education continues to be number one focus.

I look forward to updating you on our next big challenge by informing you what we learn about highways in the days and weeks to come.

From State Representative Deborah Ferguson