Speaking before the Craighead County Bar Association yesterday, Governor Asa Hutchinson touted Arkansas’ continuing economic growth. Over the past year, 73 of the state’s 75 counties have seen economic gains. Governor Hutchinson says that is a key to combat some of the challenges the state faces.
“Whether it is overgrowth of our prisoner population, improving education, paying teachers more, or building more highways, much of the challenge we face can be met by consistent and dynamic economic growth.”
In order to continue with economic growth, Hutchinson says marketing the state is important. That is why he promoted Arkansas during recent trips to Germany and France. Hutchinson says many companies in the state and Arkansas agriculture are important commodities to promote. Hutchinson also says job skills training, computer coding in the state’s high schools, and job recruitment are some keys to keep the state moving forward. He said one area that is being closely watched is the federal highway trust fund. He says Arkansas has important infrastructure needs, and dozens of highway projects are on hold due to uncertainty on the fund’s future.
“The bulk of our funding of our major highway projects comes from the federal highway trust fund. Right now the government has not given us a permanent solution. There have been temporary extensions, but that is not enough for a state to rely upon to release significant contracts. We need a permanent answer to address these concerns.”
He also addressed the high prison population in Arkansas, saying that Arkansas has seen a sizable increase while surrounding states have seen a decline in prison populations.
“This is a matter of making our parole system work well, a matter of having accountability on our parole system, and a matter of engaging in our alternative sentencing courts. That is why in the last legislative session we put $13 million for more effective re-entry programs, parole officers and building more in terms of our alternative sentencing courts.”
Hutchinson spoke at Arkansas State University’s Cooper Alumni Center.
