Randy Zook, CEO of the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce, expects tax cuts in the 2024 fiscal session

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

During 2024, the Arkansas Legislature will reconvene for the Fiscal Session, which takes place every two years, where appropriations are handled.

In an interview with Talk Business & Politics, Randy Zook, CEO of the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce, said that he expects there to be modest tax cuts implemented by lawmakers.

“There's a reason to be a little bit careful, it’s not just peddling to the metal, but we’re going to have to be careful. The state is still creating a surplus in the first half of this fiscal year,” he said.

Randy Zook, CEO of the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce, expects tax cuts in the 2024 fiscal session

Michael Hibblen/KUAR News

Steps leading up to the Arkansas Senate chamber in the state Capitol.

Issue 1 opposition forms with State Chamber, Farm Bureau support

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Opponents of Issue 1, the proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the Arkansas Legislature to call itself into special session, announced Thursday (Oct. 6) the formation of a legislative question committee to oppose the measure.

The legislatively-referred issue will be on the November 8 general election ballot.

“Our legislature already meets once every year, plus one or more special sessions called by the governor most years, and that’s enough to take care of the business of the people,” said Randy Zook, co-chair of Arkansans Against Issue 1 and president and CEO of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas. “Voters benefit from having a truly representative ‘citizen legislature,’ and if Issue 1 passes, making it harder for the average Arkansan to serve, we will move even closer to a full-time legislature.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/10/issue-1-opposition-forms-with-state-chamber-farm-bureau-support/

State Chamber chief estimates two job openings for every unemployed person in Arkansas

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Randy Zook has been working to resolve the state’s labor dilemma with all the tools he can muster. With baby boomers retiring and a smaller number of new generation workers moving into the workforce, Arkansas and the nation are facing a daunting challenge to keep employers staffed.

“There are two open jobs right now for every one person who is officially unemployed. So you’ve got that gap, that two-to-one difference there that creates a lot of this gap,” Zook said on this week’s Talk Business & Politics.

While unemployment is at a historic low of 3.2% in Arkansas and while workers continue to come back into the labor market, there is still a demographic gap that can’t keep up. Arkansas’ labor force participation rate is about five percentage points below the national average, Zook said.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/07/state-chamber-chief-estimates-two-job-openings-for-every-unemployed-person-in-arkansas/

State Chamber Chief Says Organization Unlikely to Take Position on Vaccine Mandate; Wants Corporate Income Tax Reduction

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas President and CEO Randy Zook says the business community’s reaction to a Biden executive order mandating vaccines has been “muted.” He also said an upcoming legislative session to reform the tax code should include changes to the corporate income tax.

Late last week, President Joe Biden issued an executive order with far-reaching implications to require vaccines among employers with more than 100 employees, as well as federal employees and contractors and health care personnel. Those not seeking a vaccine must provide proof of negative COVID-19 tests on a weekly basis. Zook said his members have mixed feelings on the rule.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/09/state-chamber-chief-says-his-organization-unlikely-to-take-position-on-biden-vaccine-rule-wants-corporate-income-tax-reduction/