This past week, the Arkansas Legislature was called into a special session by Gov. Asa Hutchinson to determine how to spend a $1.6 billion budget surplus from the fiscal year that ended in June. In addition to my regular duties reporting on the session from the state Capitol, I also discussed what happened on Arkansas PBS’ program “Arkansas Week.”
At the start of the session, Hutchinson urged lawmakers to accelerate the implementation of tax cuts that had been approved the previous year. He also backed the allocation of $50 million to go toward school safety improvements that had yet to be determined, but are expected to be announced after a final report is issued by the Arkansas School Safety Commission.
One topic that was not addressed was raising the minimum salaries for teachers in the state. Hutchinson had expressed support for increasing pay, but did not include it in his call to lawmakers because he said it lacked support from legislative leaders who argued it should be addressed during next year’s regular session of the legislature after an adequacy study was completed. Democrats tried to bring a proposal up for debate, but lacked the two-thirds support needed for consideration of anything outside of the governor’s formal call.
Teachers had held rallies outside the Capitol on the two Sundays before the session began. They also lined the hallways leading up to the House and Senate chambers hoping to sway lawmakers, but with no success. On Wednesday, August 10, the second day of the session, both chambers easily passed the tax and school safety proposals and did not consider anything else.
One new thing the KUAR News staff experimented with during the special session was recording our radio reports on camera for Arkansas PBS, which was mixed with graphics and images. Below is my report from the second day of the session, as approval was expected the following morning. Two other reporters on my staff produced reports on the first and third days of the session.
On Thursday, August 11, the governor held a bill signing ceremony with legislators at his side. Afterward, Hutchinson took questions from reporters. I asked whether he had any regrets about the legislature not being able to consider any kind of teacher pay raises. You can watch his response below.
Hutchinson’s two terms in office will end in January with this likely to be the last time he signs any legislation into law. As he is considering a run for president, I spoke with UCA political science professor Dr. Heather Yates about his legacy leaving office with a large state budget surplus that was used primarily to accelerate tax cuts.
AUDIO: A KUAR News segment aired on August 13, 2022 discussing Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s legacy in the aftermath of the special session with UCA political scientist Dr. Heather Yates.
Hutchinson has said he’ll announce in November whether he will actually launch a campaign for president. Given the current political climate, it remains to be seen whether he can gain support among his fellow Republicans. He has said it is time for the party to move forward without former President Trump. The November elections and how Trump-backed candidates fare in general elections will likely be an indicator of the political mood of the country and whether a tradition Republican like Hutchinson can complete.
Director of Public Affairs at Arkansas PBS, 35-year broadcasting veteran, photographer, interested in radio, TV and railroad history, author and host of the book and podcast series Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas.
