Fresh off a re-election victory, Gov. Asa Hutchinson met with lawmakers last week to present his next budget, and there was a lot to like. This governor's pragmatic approach to our state's economy looks on track to keep Arkansas moving forward over the next four years and beyond. And as budget talks advance, most Arkies would like to hear more about one thing in particular: roads, roads, roads.
As Rep. Dan Douglas (R-Bentonville) has explained to the press a couple of times, our roads are losing out on money because a good chunk of that funding comes from a fuel tax. And as cars get more fuel-efficient, and with people spending less at the pump, the amount of money going to our roads decreases. Combine that with the fact that some of our roads are seeing more traffic than ever before, and you've got a recipe for trouble.
What's more, everyone in our state government, from lawmakers to the Arkansas Department of Transportation, knows highway funding has been an issue for quite some time. But how fix it? Does the state increase the fuel tax? Does the state dedicate new revenue that'll come in from online sales tax to highway funding? The Ledge will have to figure it all out when it meets next year.
But just because Asa Hutchinson is pragmatic doesn't mean he's not visionary. (Pragmatic doesn't mean boring.) The governor wants to increase the minimum teacher salary to $36,000 over the next four years. Combine that with some merit-based incentives and Little Rock's waivers from the Full Teacher Employment law, and public education has a bright future.
Then there's the savings. Gov. Hutchinson wants to ensure the state is setting aside enough money for long-term savings and rainy day funds. Both of these are necessary when planning for the future and any crisis spending that might become necessary. It never hurts to have just-in-case money, as Mama called it.
Asa Hutchinson couldn't let the moment go by without mentioning cost-cutting. Which has to be music to taxpaying ears.
Here's to conservative budgeting and keeping our state's economy going strong. Oh, and of course, that road funding.
Editorial on 11/18/2018