LITTLE ROCK — Gov. Mike Beebe is proposing a $5 billion budget for the coming year that boosts funding for education, human services and the state's prison system.
Department of Finance and Administration officials on Tuesday detailed Beebe's proposal to members of the Joint Budget Committee. The panel is starting budget hearings ahead of the fiscal session, which begins Feb. 10.
Beebe's budget proposal calls for a $105.8 million increase in state funding, with the largest boost to go toward the state's public schools. Beebe is also calling for increases in funding for the state's prisons, with $7 million to go toward county jail reimbursements.
Much of the session is expected to focus on the renewed fight over the "private option" plan to expand health care to low-income residents using federal Medicaid funds.
Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.