Other legislative priorities

In addition to his plans addressing taxes, governmental efficiency and higher education, Gov. Asa Hutchinson included a series of budget items and other proposals as part of his list of legislative priorities presented Tuesday. Those plans include:

$2 million budgeted for an “accelerator program” allowing the state to partner with private industry to grow the technology sector.

Re-purposing state funds for a grant program to fully pay the cost of twoyear community colleges for students who make three-year commitments to work in the state.

$5 million to grow computer science education.

$3 million budget increase for pre-kindergarten programs.

Repurposing of funds for a new reading initiative.

$26 million to improve the state’s foster care system.

Using $8.4 million in tobacco settlement funds to reduce the backlog of Arkansans waiting for disability services.

Creating a waste-tire management program.

$5 million budgeted for three crisis stabilization centers to house mentally ill offenders.

Restoring funding for senior citizen centers and public libraries.

The governor also proposed eliminating the following boards and commissions:

Arkansas Authority on Financing Hospital Equipment.

Arkansas Board of Health Education.

Arkansas Broadband Council.

Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission.

Arkansas Commission for Coordination of Educational Efforts.

Arkansas HIV-AIDS Minority Task Force.

Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources Advisory Committee.

Arkansas Revenue Department Building Commission.

Arkansas Scenic Resources Preservation Coordinating Committee.

Boiler Advisory Board.

Commission on Information Age Communities.

Distance Learning Coordinating Council.

Home Health Care Service Agency Advisory Council.

Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Board.

Medications Administration Advisory Committee.

Perfusionists Advisory Committee.

Plantation Agriculture Museum Advisory Commission.

Public Health Advisory Board.

State Employment Security Advisory Council.