STATE EMPLOYEES
DECLINE
NEARLY 1,600 UNDER GOV. HUTCHINSON
"Define and implement a system of
performance-based pay for all state employees." Policy
Foundation, 1998 recommendation
"Performance
Pay. Some
state agencies are using this strategy to advance efficiencies. The practice should be applied to other
agencies." Policy Foundation Efficiency Project, 2016 recommendation
(October 2019) The number of state
executive branch employees has declined by 1,589 since Arkansas Gov. Asa
Hutchinson took office in January 2015, public records show.
Employees at state agencies declined to
30,832 in the state's last fiscal year, which ended June 30.
State officials cited efficiency
initiatives for the decline, with Gov. Hutchinson telling the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette1
the reduction in employees is a result of his administration's efforts to
transform state government. "By taking a closer look at state agencies, we
are able to devote additional personnel to areas that need it most, like in
public safety at the State Police, while creating efficiencies in other areas without
reducing state services," he said.
Gov. Hutchinson said his "goal is
to right size state government to the needs of the state and to maximize the
use of technology and best practices."
State agencies have reduced the number
of employees through attrition and increased use of technology.
Agencies are also awarding performance
pay increases to state employees to encourage innovation.
The Hutchinson administration cooperated
with the Policy Foundation's Efficiency Project (2015-16), which recommended a
panel to continue efforts. Gov. Hutchinson created a Transformation Advisory
Board (2017-18) that led to this year's state government reorganization, the
largest in nearly 50 years.
1 Michael R. Wickline.
"State payroll up, employees fewer." Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. October 20, 2019