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“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 2021) Three states that border Arkansas have taken action this year to reduce their top state income tax rates.The states are Tennessee, Oklahoma and Louisiana. […]

Department of Finance and Administration – Five-Year Review (2015-2020) In late 2015, Governor Asa Hutchinson directed executive agencies under his jurisdiction to assist the Arkansas Policy Foundation “in its evaluation of our state government and in its development of recommendations to streamline stategovernment and to make it more cost effective and citizen accountable.”1 Private Arkansas […]

“Dr. Thomas A. Bruce, former dean at UAMS told a Policy Foundation forum that prevention and “a team approach” are key to improving medical care access in rural Arkansas.” (Policy Foundation research memo, June 11, 2009) (March 31, 2021) Two measures expanding scope of practice for certified nurse practitioners have been approved by the state […]

(March 2021) A proposal pending in the state House of Representatives would reduce Arkansas’ top income tax ratefrom 5.9% to 5.8%, public records show. House Bill 1403, sponsored by State Rep. John Maddox, R-Mena, would lower the rate, fourth-highest in the 12-state southeast region behind South Carolina (7.0%), West Virginia (6.5%), and Louisiana (6.0%). Two […]

(March 2021) Arkansas’ job creation rate in the Leisure and Hospitality employment supersector declined after two minimum wage increases last decade, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) records show. Early in the 21st century, Arkansas’ job creation rate in the sector (16.1%) bested the national average (13.1%) in an economic expansion (November 2001-December 2007). Growth […]

“CPI-Expenditures Link. A short-term budgetary link should be established between the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and total operational expenditures by agencies.” Arkansas Policy Foundation, Efficiency Project report (October 2016) Summary: Policymakers have advanced two ideas that would restrict state spending to growth in personal income or the Consumer Price Index (CPI).  (February 2021) What is […]

(December 2020) A report by the Hutchinson administration to a legislative panel estimates $57.6 million in savingsfrom last year’s reorganization of state government. The report, which surveys efficiency efforts since July 2019 also cites a Policy Foundation finding that the state has recovered more than $40 million from “collection recovery efforts.” The state Department of […]

“Comprehensive tax reform reflects the idea that the state should raise only revenue needed to support core oressential state functions. Other dollars that would have been utilized to support a more expanded role for governmentare left in the private sector to spur investment, savings, and consumption, thus stimulating economic growth, jobs, and prosperity.” Policy Foundation, […]

(December 2020) Nearly 100,000 students attend charter, home or private schools, or are eligible to participate in a public school choice program, state Department of Education and non-profit records show.1 The following 25 counties have the largest number of charter, home and private school students.2 Most Arkansas public companies are based in one of the […]

The “Policy Foundation was established in 1995 as an independent research organization … The Foundation has established the Efficiency Project … (which) allows a nonpartisan, independent group of citizens to volunteer their time and efforts to directly impact the improvement of state government … to make it more cost-effective and citizen accountable.” Gov. Asa Hutchinson, […]