Arkansas Legislature to decide state budget
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Arkansas lawmakers will convene Wednesday to kick off the fiscal session to consider budget proposals for the state, including a boost in school voucher funding.
Why it matters: During fiscal sessions, the Arkansas General Assembly decides how taxpayer money is spent for state departments.
What we're watching: The proposed state budget includes up to $309 million for school vouchers, a $122 million increase from last year, plus $70 million if needed from state surplus money, the Arkansas Advocate reported.
- Vouchers can be used for private school tuition or homeschool expenses. Arkansas has been phasing them in since the Legislature in 2023 passed the LEARNS Act, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' sweeping education bill, which included broadly expanding school choice.
The big picture: Sanders has proposed a nearly $6.7 billion budget, which would increase spending by about 3%.
Between the lines: Legislators have not ruled out a proposal for a 3,000-bed prison, the Arkansas Advocate reported, which Sanders has advocated for in Franklin County.
How it works: Lawmakers generally stick to only budget-related items during fiscal sessions because deviating from them requires a resolution to be adopted by two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- Fiscal sessions can last up to 30 days and can be extended for another 15 days.
Go deeper: Peruse the Legislature's website to see legislative agendas and bills that have been filed, as well as to watch meetings.