One of the most comprehensive reports on state and local finances is produced by the U.S. Census Bureau. State and Local Revenue in FY 2024 (the most recent report) allows an apples-to-apples comparison of the revenue available to each...
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration recently announced a final general revenue budget surplus for Fiscal Year 2026 — the state government year that ended on June 30 — of $655 million. The debate concerning what to do...
On June 19, Governor Sanders sent a letter to state government cabinet secretaries and department directors “outlining budget expectations” for the 2028-2030 biennial budget. In the letter, the Governor directs agency leaders to “cut costs” and “identify new savings.”...
Arkansas has made modest progress in the economic well-being of children but needs remain In the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book, which is based on the most recent 2024 data, Arkansas ranks 33rd in economic well-being of children among...
For more than 35 years, the KIDS COUNT Data Book has ranked states on child well-being overall and in four domains: Economic Well-Being, Education, Health, and Family and Community. In 2026, these rankings remain an important tool. However, starting...
It may be difficult to find many of our family members, colleagues, and neighbors who get excited about April 15. Very few of us enjoy the process of filing out our tax forms. And we almost never pause to...
The Arkansas General Assembly 2026 Fiscal Session commences on April 8. In preparation for the session, Department of Finance and Administration Secretary Jim Hudson presented the Governor’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 general revenue budget to the legislative Joint Budget...
“Affordability” has recently leapt into the national political consciousness with a vengeance. Of course, affordability is not a new challenge for Arkansas families that sit down at the kitchen table and make hard choices about expenses, especially during the...
Taxing the proceeds generated by wealth — such as capital gains, dividends, and passive business income — through a new Wealth Proceeds Tax is a simple way Arkansas could raise hundreds of millions in new revenue and improve the...
Public Policies and Programs Proven to Reduce the Rate The rate of children living in poverty in Arkansas has surged from 8.9% in 2019-21 to 14.5% in 2022-24. This dramatic increase follows the expiration of pandemic-era economic policies and...