Attempt to limit Arkansas PBS spending authority fails

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

Arkansas lawmakers have voted down an attempt to limit the spending authority of the state’s public television network.

Members of the Joint Budget Committee spent nearly an hour Thursday debating whether or not to cut Arkansas PBS’ cash appropriation by 20%, from just under $9 million to just over $7 million. The broadcaster would have needed approval from the Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council to spend beyond that amount. The agency’s entire budget totals just over $15 million.

The proposal was presented as an amendment to Arkansas PBS’ budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The amendment’s author, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, said lawmakers should monitor the agency’s spending more closely given the results of a recent audit revealing questionable spending practices.

Attempt to limit Arkansas PBS spending authority fails

John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate

An attempt to limit the spending authority of Arkansas PBS failed in a legislative committee Thursday.

Budget puzzle awaits price tags for education, public safety, healthcare

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Closing out the first month of the regular session, legislative leaders have no clarity on Gov. Sarah Sanders administration’s price tag for education, public safety or healthcare, much less a blueprint for the state’s anticipated $6 billion balanced budget.

Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe, chairman of the Joint Budget Committee, said he’s waiting to see first drafts of new school policy and prison and sentencing reform legislation.

“I haven’t seen the education plan, so I don’t have any ballpark figures on what that’s going to cost, what we’re going to do. We do know that there is a portion that’s going to be for increasing teacher pay. Again, that’s going to have a direct impact. But again, I have no idea, if I’m just being transparent, on what that’s going to look like, and that’s why you see me being hesitant in regards to the budget,” he said.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/01/budget-puzzle-awaits-price-tags-for-education-public-safety-healthcare/

Arkansas lawmakers give initial approval of $6 billion budget

KUAR | By Laura Jansen , Daniel Breen

Arkansas lawmakers have nearly completed the approval of Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s $6 billion state budget proposal. The members of the Arkansas House and Senate voted Monday to approve identical versions of the state’s Revenue Stabilization Act.

The budget will include funding for higher education, the state's workforce, and will help address a backlog in people seeking services for those with disabilities. The fiscal year begins on July 1.

ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-03-07/arkansas-lawmakers-give-initial-approval-of-6-billion-budget

Arkansas Legislature

Rep. Lane Jean, R-Magnolia, addresses fellow House members on Monday ahead of a vote on the governor's proposed $6 billion state budget.