Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders Calls for Special Session
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the Governor of Arkansas, has announced a special legislative session focusing on two key agendas: tax cuts and the budget for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. This special session comes after the unexpected halt in the regular legislative session due to disagreements over the Game and Fish Commission’s budget.
This move aims to address the state’s hunting and fishing programs, which are at risk without a budget in place before the fiscal year begins on July 1. The proposed appropriation of 5 million for the Game and Fish Commission could not secure the necessary 75 votes in the House, partly due to objections to the proposed salary increase for the agency’s director. This marks the first time in over 20 years that lawmakers failed to approve an agency’s budget during a legislative session.
Tax Cut Proposals and State Surplus
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is determined to enhance prosperity for the people of Arkansas despite Democratic failures at the federal level. To do so, she is advocating for significant tax cuts. The state’s finance officials project a 8 million surplus at the end of the current fiscal year, which Sanders believes justifies these additional tax cuts.
The proposed tax cuts include reducing the top individual income tax rate from 4.4% to 3.9% and the corporate tax rate from 4.8% to 4.3%. Additionally, Sanders plans to increase the homestead tax credit from 5 to 0. These cuts would result in a combined 0 million in tax relief for Arkansans.
Context and Next Steps
This special session follows Gov. Sanders’ track record of implementing tax cuts since taking office in January 2023. The upcoming session is set to convene on June 17, and the governor is hopeful that the legislative session will work together to deliver these tax cuts.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission budget, which includes a proposed salary increase for the agency’s director, is also expected to be resolved during this special session. Lawmakers will aim to secure a budget for the commission before the fiscal year begins.
