Arkansas lawmakers try to whittle surplus requests

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas legislative leaders are advancing legislation to tap nearly $22 million from the state's surplus to pay for various one-time needs.

The Joint Budget Committee on Thursday endorsed a plan by House and Senate leaders to whittle down the list of requests to use the projected $125 million surplus for various projects.

The projects include additional money for state prisons, broadband for schools and reimbursement for county jails housing state prisoners.

Gov. Mike Beebe and lawmakers had proposed more than $92 million in projects to be funded from the surplus, but legislative leaders said they wanted to leave most of the surplus untouched.

The agreement comes as lawmakers are finalizing legislation outlining the state's $5 billion budget. Lawmakers are expected to get their first look at the budget bill Thursday afternoon.

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