LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas House has approved a government reorganization plan that would cut the number of agencies directly answering to the governor from 42 to 15.
The House voted 82-0 for the plan on Thursday. Ten House members voted "present," which has the same effect as voting against the measure. The proposal now heads to the state Senate.
[RELATED: Complete Democrat-Gazette coverage of the Arkansas Legislature]
The proposal advanced after the House rejected an effort to postpone until next week a vote on the 2,049-page bill.
Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson proposed the agency reorganization last year, saying it would increase efficiency and save the state money.
Read Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.