The majority of state revenue sources came in higher than expected last month, according to the Department of Finance and Administration’s March revenue summary. The overall year-to-date collections for 2014 are leveling out at just a few percentage...
Increasing the minimum wage will decrease enrollment and costs associated with programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (or SNAP, commonly referred to as food stamps) for Arkansas taxpayers. Two proposed minimum wage increases, a state increase to $8.50...
The Arkansas Legislature has published funding allocations for fiscal year 2014-2015 according to the Revenue Stabilization Laws. The total budget is just over $5 billion, an overall increase of about 2.2 percent or $108 million from the current 2013-2014...
The President’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2015 includes several important improvements to the pro-work Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) that will reduce poverty among low-wage workers and their families, reduce income inequality, strengthen...
A new report published by Economic Policy Institute finds that all 50 states have experienced widening income inequality in recent decades. This follows a report we released last week that highlights the growing wealth disparity in Arkansas. The...
The gap between the rich and poor in Arkansas is growing. A new report by Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (AACF) says increasing inequality in Arkansas is holding back economic growth, damaging the democratic process, and keeping...
Believe it or not, lawmakers will be talking about issues other than the Private Option during the 2014 fiscal session which begins today. One of those issues is how to best spend funds aimed at helping poorer students perform...
NSLA Funding in the 89th General Assembly NSLA funding, also known as school poverty funding, is the part of the state-funding package for schools that is targeted to low-income students. It is named NSLA after the National School Lunch...
Rough week for tax fairness at the Capitol Advocates holding out some glimmer of hope for legislation that would promote tax fairness did not have a good day at the Capitol on Tuesday. Two tax cut bills – one...
Tax cuts for high earners don’t spur the economy As the 89th General Assembly of Arkansas speeds forward on efforts to cut taxes for high-income earners and corporate investors, a timely report dispels the notion that tax cuts lead...