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.”...
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...
Investing in all families grows the Arkansas economy. Many Arkansas families struggle to meet basic expenses, such as housing, food, transportation, medicine, and child care costs. The goal is for income to exceed these expenses, and parents work hard...
Giving away revenue risks a balanced budget. Arkansas families know, when they are putting together a budget, that total family income must be more than total family expenses. Likewise, the Arkansas state government must ensure that revenue be greater...
No child should face the crushing effects of poverty, and an Arkansas child tax credit will make a tremendous difference.
The United States House of Representatives today passed the Senate’s version of the reconciliation bill that will worsen hunger and strip health care coverage from millions of families. The bill now goes to President Donald Trump to be signed...