Arkansas Gov. Sanders Proposes $6.97 Billion Budget With Future Tax Cuts

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders presented a balanced $6.97 billion budget proposal, about $311.6 million—or 3.94%—above the prior year, emphasizing education, health care and public safety while saying spending restraint would leave room for future tax cuts. The largest proposed annual investment is $150 million for Medicaid, including supportive living services for people on the Community and Employment Support Waiver waitlist; education funding includes $70 million for Education Freedom Accounts and $20 million for early childhood programs. The proposal also directs funding to state developmental disability and youth services, child welfare, and administrative costs for SNAP. Sanders cited a $655 million surplus from the last fiscal year and state revenues running ahead of forecasts. She also proposed one-time surplus investments of $200 million for Medicaid sustainability and $50 million each for the State Water Plan, a potential state share of SNAP benefits, and Human Development Centers.