Arkansas
2024 Arkansas fiscal session promises minimal government funding
The Arkansas Legislature’s fiscal session begins Wednesday, and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is asking lawmakers to increase the state’s budget by only a small amount.
Little Rock Public Radio asked the governor if the increase, 1.78% over last year, would be enough to fund everything she wants. This includes raising minimum teacher salaries to $50,000 , $2 million for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and just under $4 million for a new state trooper school.
Sanders said it would be enough.
“We have to stop the growth of the government while still being able to invest in the key priorities of this administration,” she said.
Arkansas’ budget averages a 3% increase each year. Experts say that means most state agencies can expect bare-bones funding, and not a lot of room for salary growth. But, the state probably won’t take on any debt, and may have a surplus when the fiscal year is over.
Sanders asked for the increase in a letter she wrote to members of the legislature. When Rep. Aaron Pilkington, R-Knoxville, saw how small the budget was going to be, he said it was “shocking.”
“My initial impression was, ‘Wow, that’s a small increase,’” he said.
But, Pilkington says he started to warm up to the idea after the last few weeks of committee meetings.
“We had the preliminary budget hearings and we just kind of came through and explained what they were doing and what was going on,” he says. “It became way more in my mind, ‘This makes sense. We can do it.’”
Sanders’ goal of eliminating the state’s income tax is part of the reason for the smaller-than-average increase in funding. The legislature approved new tax cuts last session, but the governor says that’s just a start.
“Government growth has to be slowed if we want to do things like phase out the state income tax,” she says.
More tax cuts may not be on the agenda for this session, but most Republicans are united in slashing it eventually. Pilkington wasn’t sure if more cuts were coming now, but thinks the state is preparing itself for a good future.
“By not increasing our future spending, it helps us to be able to make those tax cuts without having to cut services.”
Pilkington says he wants Arkansas to compete with neighboring Texas and Tennessee, which don’t have an income tax.
This fight between tax cuts and money for services brings up an age-old question of just how big the government should be. Arkansas Democrats generally want more state money for services, but they don’t really have any leverage.
One of the state’s few Democratic lawmakers is Sen. Clarke Tucker, who represents parts of central Arkansas. In a perfect world, he would give more money to public services.
“Investing in more K-12 education, making sure more people either have an opportunity to go to college or get a license for post secondary training,” he said.
Tucker says he also wants to expand mental health services and substance abuse treatment, saying the state dumps too much on its justice system.
But, so far, this hasn’t become a reality. Most Arkansas lawmakers are small-government conservatives in a state that runs deeply red.
Tucker didn’t name names, but said state employees are worried their budgets will be too small for the coming years.
“State agency directors will tell me that they lose employees because the pay can’t keep up,” he said. “We can’t fill positions as parole officers, which we really need as a state. We can’t fill corrections officers positions, which we are in desperate need of, because the numbers stay flat.”
This is an argument Pilkington, a Republican, understands.
“That’s obviously an issue because when you think about a lot of these agencies’ budgets, 60% to 80% is personnel. When you don’t increase it as much as you have done in the past, it does put a tighter grip.”
One program the budget will be funding is Arkansas LEARNS, a law that gives public money to families to send their kids to private schools. Sen. Tucker was vocally against LEARNS when it was in the legislature. But departmental budgets are voted on as packages. LEARNS funding isn’t taken out separately from the rest of the money for the Department of Education.
“I had an opportunity to oppose LEARNS. I lost that fight,” Tucker said. “And really, I just need to fund the education system that we have.”
Pilkington says he plans to vote in favor of most budget bills as well.
“I had a member come to me and say, ‘Hey, I want you to help me hold this budget because the DMV is doing a bad job getting driver’s licenses out in time.’ I said ‘Well, that sounds like your DMV’s issue, not the whole entire state’s [Department of Finance and Administration]’s budget I’m going to hold up for your one issue.’”
The fiscal session begins at noon Wednesday morning.
Arkansas
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Arkansas
Arkansas Athletics, CommunityAmerica Credit Union launch multi-year partnership including Razorback Stadium naming rights
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Department of Athletics has signed a long-term partnership with CommunityAmerica Credit Union, marking a significant step in the credit union’s growing commitment to Northwest Arkansas. Facilitated by Learfield and Razorback Sports Properties, Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium will become CommunityAmerica Razorback Stadium beginning with the 2027 football season.
Rooted in more than 85 years of helping individuals and families achieve financial peace of mind and building on a 65-year legacy of service in Arkansas, CommunityAmerica is excited to engage with Razorback fans and support the communities they call home.
“This is so much more than a name on a stadium. It’s about becoming part of the Razorback Nation experience and helping fans, students, student-athletes and the communities we and the university serve,” said Lisa Ginter, Chief Executive Officer of CommunityAmerica Credit Union. “Our members are at the heart of everything we do and when we evaluate partnerships like this, it starts with what matters most to them. The University of Arkansas is a powerful source of pride and connection for people across the state and in many of our markets. This partnership underscores our long-term commitment to Northwest Arkansas, where we look forward to growing our presence and helping more families achieve financial peace of mind. We’re already deepening our roots with plans for a campus location and several new branches throughout the region.”
The multi-phased partnership extends beyond naming rights and designates CommunityAmerica as the Official Credit Union of Arkansas Athletics. CommunityAmerica will also serve as an official sponsor of Arkansas Athletics, supporting student-athletes and fans alike. The comprehensive partnership will also include the rebranding of the SEC Club inside Razorback Stadium as the CommunityAmerica Club, where fans enjoy premium amenities on gameday. As part of the agreement, CommunityAmerica will engage directly with Razorback student-athletes providing Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, valuable financial education and programs to help them succeed both on and off the field.
“We are thrilled to welcome CommunityAmerica Credit Union as the Official Credit Union of Arkansas Athletics as one piece of a partnership that will benefit our student-athletes, fans and the state of Arkansas for years to come,” said Hunter Yurachek, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics at the University of Arkansas. “Our vision in the Department of Athletics is to be our best and CommunityAmerica’s commitment to excellence as a trusted, people-driven financial institution mirrors that same vision. This partnership is just getting started but its impact will help shape our future.”
Beginning with the 2027 football season, the partnership will expand into its second phase with the naming of CommunityAmerica Razorback Stadium and the launch of CommunityAmerica Razorback Checking, Debit and Credit Cards.
With a legacy of serving members across Arkansas and nationwide, CommunityAmerica is ranked among the most trusted and innovative credit unions in the country and among the largest in the Midwest. CommunityAmerica is excited to engage and serve Razorback fans and members more deeply with a variety of financial products and services that align to their passion for the University.
“Our members are proud of where they live and what they stand behind, and for so many in Arkansas and across our shared communities, that means being part of Razorback Nation,” Ginter said. “As we look ahead to launching Razorback-branded products in 2027, we’re excited to offer experiences that celebrate that pride, strengthen relationships and deliver meaningful value for the people and communities we serve.”
“This is a historic partnership featuring an innovative brand with a passion and proven track record of supporting their community, paired with one of the leading college athletics programs in the country,” said Allison Fillmore, Senior Vice President, Business Development at Learfield. “Learfield and Razorback Sports Properties are excited to collaborate with Arkansas Athletics, which will enhance fan and student-athlete experiences for years to come.”
Razorback Sports Properties is the locally based Learfield team that is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Arkansas Athletics and oversees all sponsorship agreements on behalf of the Razorbacks.
About the University of Arkansas Department of Intercollegiate Athletics
The University of Arkansas Department of Intercollegiate Athletics pursues its vision to “Be Our Best” while developing 465+ student-athletes into Razorbacks and Champions for Life. As members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Razorbacks consistently compete at the nation’s highest levels while proudly representing the University of Arkansas and the entire state. Arkansas has established itself as one of the most competitive programs in the nation, winning nine NCAA titles and over 50 SEC Championships in recent years.
About CommunityAmerica Credit Union
CommunityAmerica Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution committed to helping members get on a path to thrive and achieve financial peace of mind. Founded in 1940, and with Arkansas roots dating back to 1968, CommunityAmerica has grown to meet the evolving financial needs of its members. With nearly $10 billion in assets and more than 600,000 members, the credit union is ranked among the nation’s 50 largest credit unions. It is the largest credit union in Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri, and one of the largest financial institutions with expanding operations in Northwest Arkansas. CommunityAmerica offers a full suite of financial products and services for individuals and businesses, including checking and savings, mortgages, loans, commercial banking, wealth management, retirement planning, and insurance. Federally chartered, CommunityAmerica serves members across multiple markets nationwide with branch locations in Arkansas, California, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, Tennessee, and Texas. Learn more at CommunityAmerica.com.
About Learfield
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
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