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“The drop in the state’s unemployment rate to a record low is consistent with the duration of the economic expansion, which entered a record 11th year this month.” Policy Foundation, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, July 20, 20191   (August 2019) Arkansas’ unemployment rate hit consecutive all-time record lows this Summer, declining to 3.5% in June and 3.4% in July, preliminary […]

“The most callused aspect of the current education monopoly in Arkansas is that it willingly and deliberately forces children–except those whose parents have wealth–to attend bad schools.” Policy Foundation report,1 1998   (July 2019) Two measures enacted this year by Arkansas policymakers take effect this month and expand school choice options for K-12 students.   PA 5482 (sponsor: […]

“Employment and industrial production are more reliable than GDP and the Dow in determining cyclical turning points in the economy.” Policy Foundation, 2009 (July 2019) The U.S. economy entered record territory this month as the economic expansion that began in June 20091 entered its 11th year, eclipsing the previous 10-year record (1991-2001) in the business […]

“Only eight Arkansas counties post annual budgets online for citizens while others publish an annual appropriation notice in the paper of record, a legal requirement. Every county should post its budget in an easily-accessible format.” Policy Foundation, 20181   (June 2019) All 75 Arkansas counties will be required to post their annual budgets online starting in […]

“There is significant evidence that reductions in marginal state tax rates encourage state economic growth …Rates on productive behavior should be reduced.” “Arkansas Policy Foundation, Murphy Commission project, 1998   (June 2019) Arkansas policymakers have reduced the state capital gains tax. Opponents claim the reduction only benefits a small group but public records show nearly […]

Theory of Constraints is a management strategy used by state budget departments including Utah.  Several employees expressed interest in TOC during interviews and should be encouraged to learn more about the strategy.1   (May 2019) The Theory of Constraints (TOC) is a management strategy that uses a focusing process to create efficient outcomes.  TOC is one of several strategies that […]

“There is significant evidence that reductions in marginal state tax rates encourage state economic growth …Rates on productive behavior should be reduced.” “Arkansas Policy Foundation, Murphy Commission project, 1998   “Reduce the state’s income tax. Among the reforms, consider an across the board 10% cut…reduce the marginal rates, exempt taxpayers below a certain income level from filing, […]

(April 2019) K-12 students enrolled at Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association-affiliated schools outside of Pulaski County compose 51.7% (9,812) of total ANSAA enrollment in 2018-19.1 Enrollment at ANSAA-affiliated schools is 18,987.These schools serve students in 22 of Arkansas’ 75 counties.   Pulaski County 9,1752 Benton County 1,8853 Washington County 1,7434 Sebastian County 1,2005 Faulkner County […]

(April 2019) A massive 2,047-page bill approved by the state General Assembly and signed into law this month by Gov. Asa Hutchinson is the foundation for the biggest Arkansas state government reorganization in nearly 50 years.   The reorganization emerged from work done by the Transformation Advisory Board (2017-18). It reduces the number of state […]

Gov. Asa Hutchinson said one-third of the recommendations “are likely to be” practical, while one-third “might be” and the other one-third “may not be” feasible. Policy Foundation, 20th anniversary event, December 2015                                      (March 2019) The Policy Foundation’s Efficiency Project made 60 policy recommendations in Fall 2016.  Twenty-one had been adopted as of early 2019.   […]