Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders outlines priorities, goals in Arkansas State of the State address
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders outlined her funding priorities in her State of the State address before the Arkansas General Assembly Wednesday afternoon.
The speech coincided with the opening of the 94th General Assembly Fiscal Session, where the legislature will determine the state budget for the next fiscal year.
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Sanders had presented a proposed $6.3 billion budget for the coming fiscal year, a 1.76% increase above last year’s budget and below the 3% budget increase of recent years.
The governor asked for budget priorities in small government, providing for the Arkansas LEARNS Act vouchers and increasing funding for state police hiring.
She also indicated a forthcoming priority to regulate young people using cell phones and social media.
The governor’s presentation of the relatively small increase in the budget size indicated long-term plans.
“If you send me a budget that funds critical services for Arkansans while slowing the growth of government, I will sign it, Sanders said, then adding, “I’m committed to responsibly phasing out our state income tax rate and letting everyone keep more of their hard-earned money.”
LEARNS was a top priority of her administration, Sander said, pointing out the recent expansion of Education Freedom Account vouchers access to children of veterans, military reserve members, first responders, law enforcement officers and any students who previously were in D-rated schools.
“If you send me a budget that continues to fully fund the LEARNS Act, and I will sign it,” Sanders said.
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The proposed budget included an additional $3.8 million for state police hiring.
“If you send me a budget that funds our police, and I will sign it,” Sanders said.
Sanders also used this portion of the speech to outline the recent addition of 1,000 beds to the state prison system and the planned construction of a 3,000-bed prison.
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The governor, towards the end of the speech, also outlined a future legislative plan. Social media was a problem, she said, marked by an increase in teen suicide rates. Sanders indicated a willingness to back laws that limited cell phone use and ownership.
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