Leadership
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Sen. Jim Hendren Senate Majority Leader
n the past few years Arkansas voters gradually changed the political direction of our state by electing new Republican majorities throughout state government. The shift in our state’s political culture has set the stage for bold legislative action during the 91st General Assembly. The legislature will build on the gains of the past several years and in 2017 Arkansas will see rapid progress in the creation of a new business environment. Two years ago legislators approved more than $100 million in income tax reductions for middle class families, as well as $12 million in reductions in capital gains taxes. The usual skeptics wrung their hands and predicted that the tax cuts would cripple government. They were wrong, however. The state’s economy continues to grow at a steady and healthy pace, while government continues to collect sufficient revenue to pay for essential services. Further income tax cuts will be on the table when legislators convene for the 2017 session. No doubt the professional skeptics will raise their usual complaints about the need to feed a growing government, but we now have two years of data that shows the beneficial effects of tax cuts on the state economy. When it comes to stimulating a business environment that creates jobs, tax relief is only part of the equation. The 91st General Assembly will consider measures to relieve the regulatory burden on small businesses and start-ups. It may sound like a cliché, but it is past time that we brought common sense back to the Arkansas workplace. That starts with health insurance. There will be numerous efforts to amend Arkansas Works, the state’s response to the federal Affordable Health Care Act. With the new majorities in both chambers of the legislature, we can be assured those changes will restrict, rather than extend, government’s reach into private markets. Any changes to Arkansas Works should include greater incenSee
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The 91st General Assembly
Rep. Matthew Pitsch House Majority Leader
s we move into 2017 and the upcoming legislative session, the great state of Arkansas continues to see amazing results under the dedicated leadership of Governor Asa Hutchinson. Without mentioning every initiative Arkansas has focused on, several efforts have served to change the direction of our state; a $100 million tax cut promised and delivered to the citizens, innovative methods in education both in workforce training and high school coding curriculum (making us a leader among states), and finally an ongoing effort at keeping unemployment at the lowest possible level. With a background as an engineer, I feel we should be measured by the results realized by the people of Arkansas. • The state’s unemployment rate (3.9 percent) is at an all-time low. Collectively, Arkansas has added 30,000 jobs since Governor Hutchinson took office just two short years ago. • Media outlets across the country have recognized Arkansas for its coding initiative being implemented in high schools. Amazingly, there are 1,700 computing jobs in Arkansas unfilled and less than 300 Arkansans graduate with degrees in computer science each year. We hope students take advantage of the new opportunities before them. • Most exciting, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission has announced new companies arriving and existing company’s job expansions. A key effort has been Governor Hutchinson’s focus on strengthening relationships across the globe and putting Arkansas squarely in the center of discussions with key economic development decision makers. See
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