Proposed Budget - Fiscal Year 2025
On March 6, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a $6.31 billion general revenue budget proposal for fiscal 2025. This represents an increase of $109 million, or 1.76 percent, over fiscal 2024. Gross general revenues are projected to be $8.2 billion in fiscal 2025, a decrease of $37.6 million or 0.5 percent from fiscal 2024. After required deductions and refunds, net available revenues are projected at $6.69 billion which is an increase of 3.8 percent, or $245.5 million, over fiscal 2024. The proposed budget projects a surplus of $376.7 million for fiscal 2025.
Proposed Budget Highlights
The proposed budget delivers on the governor’s priorities of limiting the growth of government and improving efficiency while still investing in the areas of greatest needs. Recommendations include the following:
Education
- Provides an additional $100 million to support funding of the LEARNS act to:
- Raise starting teacher pay to $50,000.
- Increase funds for the state’s Education Freedom Accounts.
- Invest in literacy coaches statewide.
- Directs an additional $2.0 million for the University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff’s land grant matching program bringing the state’s total contribution to the program to $5.8 million.
- Allocates an additional $4.0 million to career and technical education.
- Proposes $4.5 million to fund a sustainable building maintenance program revolving loan program for the state’s higher education institutions in fiscal 2025.
Public Safety
- Proposes a $3.8 million increase to the Arkansas State Police to fund an additional state trooper school allowing the state to renew the ranks of state police and keep Arkansas safe.
- Increases funding for the Division of Correction by $536k.
Other
- Provides $730k to the Department of Agriculture for county fairs.
- Increases the Department of Human Services budget by $4.4 million.