LITTLE ROCK — An Arkansas lawmaker who is proposing a cap on the growth of state government says he's considering changing the formula that would be used to determine that limit.
House Republican Leader Rep. Bruce Westerman of Hot Springs said Thursday that he may amend the proposal by tying the annual expenditure limit to the average growth of personal income in the state. The current legislation calls for limiting state spending to the three-year average increase in the state's gross domestic product or 3 percent, whichever is less.
He said he hadn't decided whether to make the change but said it may appease some lawmakers' concerns.
Gov. Mike Beebe said Thursday that the possible change wouldn't affect his opposition to the bill, which he says will "wreak havoc" on the state's budget.
