Arkansas

The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department has prepared a list of 130 state road projects, costing $1.1 billion, that could get under way quickly if a new federal stimulus law is proposed.

The Arkansas Teacher Retirement System reported an 11.3% increase in its investments in the third quarter of 2009, as investments rose $856 million during the period to $9.66 billion.

Voters in Benton last week rejected a 0.5% increase in the city sales tax for public safety efforts by a vote of 1,815 to 1,095.

Arkansas’ revenue in October was $313.5 million, almost $18 million less than expected and $39 million less than collected in October 2008, according to the latest monthly revenue report from the Department of Finance and Administration.

The University of Arkansas Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $30 million revenue bond issue to finance a new residence hall and an outdoor sports complex at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

DALLAS — Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe ordered a $100 million reduction in state agency spending on Tuesday to balance the state’s fiscal 2010 budget due to steady and unexpected drops in revenue collections.

Little Rock last week balanced its $135 million operating budget for 2009 with the help of a $1.4 million transfer from the solid-waste fund and spending cuts that eliminated a $3 million budget deficit.