LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has signed into law the first major budget bill of the session, approving a measure that had stalled during the impasse over the future of the state's hybrid Medicaid expansion.
Hutchinson on Thursday signed the proposed General Appropriation Act, which funds the expenses for judges and lawmakers. Lawmakers are required by the constitution to approve the measure before any other budget bills. Hutchinson's approval came shortly after the Senate passed the measure on a 33-0 vote. The House approved the measure Wednesday.
The proposal advanced this week after House Democrats had initially refused to vote on it until the impasse over the hybrid Medicaid expansion was resolved.
Read Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.