Arkansas

The Central Arkansas Library System plans a March 2012 election to renew an existing bond program that will include a property tax decrease.

DALLAS — Arkansas tax collections are expected to be 3.5% higher in fiscal 2013 than in fiscal 2012, but Gov. Mike Beebe has told state agencies not to expect more money next year.

The Pulaski Technical College Board of Trustees in Arkansas is expected to decide in January whether to ask voters for permission to collect property taxes through a proposed taxing district to supplement tuition revenue and state aid.

DALLAS - A financial boost provided by a sales tax increase approved by Little Rock, Ark., voters in September will finance the city's largest budget ever in 2012.

The Arkansas State Police Retirement System will likely ask the General Assembly for more funding in 2013 due to a rise in the system’s unfunded liabilities to $135 million in 2011 from $122 million in 2010.

North Little Rock voters last week turned down Mayor Patrick Hays’ proposals to increase the sales tax rate by 1% to provide more funds for operations and capital improvements.

A constitutional amendment to extend a $575 million Garvee road bond program won by a sizeable majority in all 75 Arkansas counties in last week’s special election.

DALLAS - Garland County, Ark., will build a new jail in Hot Springs with proceeds from $42 million of sales tax bonds going to market next week.

General revenue collections in October of $457.5 million were $23.4 million more than in October 2010, but Arkansas’ chief financial officer said the state’s economy is recovering slowly.

DALLAS - Arkansas will be able to repair and upgrade more than 400 miles of Interstate highway with proceeds from $575 million of Garvee bonds being decided by voters on Tuesday, up from earlier estimates of 300 miles.

A political action group has been established to oppose a plan to increase the Arkansas severance tax on natural gas that could be on the November 2012 ballot.

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe used his Saturday radio address to ask voters to support a $575 million road bond plan in the Nov. 8 special election.

DALLAS - Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe urges voters in a 30-second television ad being aired statewide to renew a $575 million Garvee highway bond program at next week's special election.

DALLAS - The University of Arkansas System will add and upgrade athletic facilities at its main campus in Fayetteville through a 30-year, $320 million master plan announced Tuesday by athletic director Jeff Long.

Garland County, Ark.’s proposals to raise the sales tax rate to build and operate a new jail in Hot Springs received a 64% favorable margin at last week’s election. More than 10,300 votes were cast, and the plan prevailed in 40 of the county’s 42 precincts.

Voters in Garland County will go to the polls Tuesday to decide on increasing the sales tax by 1% to build and operate a new $40 million county jail in Hot Springs.

Arkansas Lieut. Gov. Mark Darr said last week he opposes a proposal to raise the severance tax on natural gas production to help repair roads damaged by gas drilling activity.

A ruling last week in a Pulaski County Circuit Court stymied efforts by the Arkansas Department of Education to withhold excess property tax revenues from school districts in Carroll and Garland counties.

DALLAS - Voters in North Little Rock, Ark., will decide whether to raise the city's sales tax rate by up to 1% at a special election set for Nov. 8.

DALLAS - Little Rock, Ark., voters approved an increase in the sales tax rate Tuesday that will generate $196 million for capital improvements over the next 10 years and $32 million a year for operations.