AAC
from $350 to $375. Arkansas homeowners deserve a break, and with our state’s growing economy and conservative bud- get, we can afford to make this change. Te Homestead Property Tax Credit came into being in 2001 after Arkansas voters approved Amendment 79 to the state constitution. Te original tax credit was $300, and in the years since, it has risen to $350. Te extra $25 credit will be a relief for homeowners without any extra cost to counties. In granting the tax break, the proponents wanted to pro- tect counties from economic harm through the loss of tax revenue. So the General Assembly passed enabling legislation to levy a statewide 1/2-cent sales tax. Tat money goes to the Property Tax Relief Trust Fund. Te money from that fund, in turn, goes to counties to reimburse them for the loss cre- ated by the credit. In a meeting in February, the executive director of the As- sociation of Arkansas Counties asked me to support the idea of the $25 increase, and he followed up with a letter explain- ing why this was a good time for the change. I asked the Department of Finance and Administration to
I
n Arkansas, we keep looking for ways to put money back in taxpayers’ pockets. [On April 16], I an- nounced my support for legislation next year that will increase the state’s Homestead Property Tax Credit
FROM THE GOVERNOR Increasing the homestead property tax credit
analyze the impact of the increase. Te department’s analysis demon- strates that this plan is the right thing to do. Te new credit will reduce taxes to counties by almost $18 mil- lion. At the end of the fiscal year 2017, the balance of the tax relief fund was $78 million, which is more than sufficient to cover the increased tax credit. So I offer my enthusiastic support for increasing the Homestead Property Tax Credit. Any idea that allows us to put money back in the hands of
Hon. ASA
HuTCHINSON Governor of Arkansas
Arkansas taxpayers can be a good idea. I am confident the General Assembly will approve this change so it will become a reality next year.
Asa Hutchinson
Te Honorable Asa Hutchinson Governor of Arkansas
State launches educational web portal to aid in fight against opioid abuse
Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced on April 30, 2018, the launch of a free weekly educa- tional and consultation service for Arkansas health care providers. The Arkansas Improv- ing Multidisciplinary Pain Care Treatment (AR-IMPACT) will be hosted by the Universi- ty of Arkansas for Medical Science (UAMS). The goal of AR-IMPACT is to help health care providers better manage chronic pain patients and those who need their opioid dosage reduced, according to a UAMS news release.
Other partners in the project are the Of-
Pictured with the Governor are (from left to right) state Rep. Kim Hammer, Speaker of the House Jer- emy Gillam, State Drug Director Kirk Lane, and Arkansas Surgeon General Greg Bledsoe. Other legisla- tors, UAMS Interim Chancellor Stephanie Gardner, and other partners in the project were also present.
COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2018
fice of the State Drug Director, the Arkansas Department of Health, the Arkansas Depart- ment of Human Services, the Arkansas State Medical Board, Blue Cross-Blue Shield, the Arkansas Medical Society, and the Arkansas Academy of Family Physicians.
— Photo by Holland Doran 11
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