Beebe Seeks Budget Aid

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe wants to use $30.5 million of the state’s $72.1 million surplus to help several agencies make it through fiscal 2012, which ends June 30.

The request to the Legislature’s Budget Committee includes $1.2 million that the Forestry Commission must repay to the federal government. The agency incorrectly used federal grants for operating costs.

The funding must be approved by a three-fourths majority in both the 100-member House and the 35-member Senate.

The supplemental appropriation includes $12.4 million for the Department of Corrections, $10 million for cash-flow purposes, $3.4 million for the State Hospital, and $2 million for the Department of Community Corrections.

Beebe said Arkansas needs $10 million for cash flow in part because there are 26 pay periods in fiscal 2012 rather than the usual 24.

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Arkansas
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