This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
From The Governor


‘Looking forward to working with county officials to meet our shared challenges’


Mike Beebe Arkansas Governor


decisions of their own. I know that many counties are dealing with similar challenges, but we all can take pride in how well Arkansas is coping under difficult circumstances. Te state has to spend responsibly and live within its means as we meet the needs of and provide essential services for our people.


A As we look at our current fiscal


year and prepare for the 2011 legislative session, there are a few items of particular importance to Arkansas counties that are relevant to everyone.


rkansas has weathered the national recession better than most of our sister states. Still, state government has had to do some belt-tightening this year, just as families and businesses across the state have been faced with tough


costs, and I anticipate necessary legislation that will address these concerns.


“Our county officials play a


vital role in improving our state... County officials... are there because people trust them, people believe in them, and want them to lead.”


In the current fiscal year, counties are projected to receive $19.7 million in general revenue funds, and municipalities are projected to get $27.4 million. As in the past, I plan to give counties and municipalities another $4 million each in city/county turnback funds this winter. Tese funds come from projected totals that we expect to become available from the unused portion of the Property Tax Relief Fund. I have been able to support this extra funding when fiscally possible, but I will have to consider whether the balance can sustain any more money in future fiscal years.


As part of my balanced budget proposal, I will ask the legislature to


approve a half-cent reduction in the sales tax on groceries, which will keep an additional $15 million annually in the pockets of families around the state. I believe that we must continue our momentum in attacking this detrimental tax, allowing that money to be spent in local economies around the state.


Assuring public safety is critical, and I have included increased funding to maintain the state penitentiary system and improve the state’s parole and probation system.


One of my biggest concerns in the next two years is prison


overcrowding. We cannot continue to warehouse offenders, and we need to find better ways to rehabilitate offenders and reduce recidivism. We can do this without compromising public safety, but I will need the help and support of county officials to accomplish this. I welcome the results of a major research partnership with the Pew Center on the States aimed at curbing unsustainable growth in our prison population and corrections


COUNTY LINES, WINTER 2011


One of my goals in the upcoming legislative session will be to put some one-time funds into electronic parcel mapping to aid in administering local property taxes. I plan to provide funding support to counties to continue the statewide effort. Tere is not enough money for all counties to participate, so the grants will be competitive, and because counties will be the primary beneficiaries of the parcel data, a match will be required from the counties to use the funds.


I look forward to working with the legislators in passing my proposed budget, which addresses the needs of our counties, continues moving our state forward, and provides meaningful ongoing tax relief for Arkansans.


I believe that the next fiscal year will bring modest, but steady, growth


in Arkansas’s economy. If we stick to the principles that have seen us through recent years – conservative budgeting and targeted tax cuts – Arkansas will move ahead of the rest of the country as the U.S. economy slowly recovers.


Our county officials play a vital role in improving our state. As leaders, they have unique insights into the strengths and weaknesses of their particular parts of Arkansas. County officials know their counties better than anyone, they have more contacts in the counties than anyone, and they are better ambassadors for their counties than anyone. Tey are there because people trust them, people believe in them, and want them to lead. I look forward to another four years of working together toward our common goals.


Mike Beebe


Te Honorable Mike Beebe Governor of Arkansas


13


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60