Giving thanks to Arkansas moms
There are a quarter of a million working moms in Arkansas who, just like your mom, deserve thanks for the sacrifices they make for their kids. As a state we’ve made huge strides to help working moms support...
April General Revenues See Predicted Dip
Good news and bad news in the latest state revenue report from the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).The April revenue summary released today by DFA revealed an anticipated decrease in net general revenue for the month. April net...
Recapping the March revenue report
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...
Minimum wage increase will save on SNAP
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...
Fiscal session budget wrap-up: what changed?
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...
Improving the EITC will help Arkansans
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...
Inequality in Arkansas needs a tune up!
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...
Income inequality is hurting Arkansas
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...
Poverty spending on education needs focus
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 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...