Arkansas House of Representatives

 

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Homepage > News > Pre-Fiscal Budget Hearings Begin

The Joint Budget Committee began Pre-Fiscal Budget Hearings on Tuesday morning in preparation for the upcoming Fiscal Session. The hearings started with a presentation by the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) outlining Governor Beebe’s balanced budget proposal. The Governor’s balanced budget calls for 2.9% increase in education and a 16.5% increase in Medicaid funding. DFA Director Richard Weiss called it a “very conservative budget for a very conservative forecast.” The Governor’s proposal does not include a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for state employees. Several members asked DFA for a report on what a COLA increase would cost the state. DFA will be providing the Committee with a report which will include a range of percentage increases. Committee Co-Chair Rep. Kathy Webb said after the hearing the Committee will need to review that data before making any decisions. For the remainder of the week, the Committee will continue to hear budget requests from the top funded state agencies and those facing shortfalls this fiscal year. The hearings will help legislators draft appropriation bills for the Fiscal Session. The Fiscal Session will begin February 13.