Arkansas

When Arkansas' fiscal year 2015 ended on June 30, the state had a surplus of nearly $192 million, according to the Department of Finance and Administration.

The Arkansas legislature quickly approved bills to authorize GO bonds to help a Lockheed Martin factory project.

Arkansas revenues are expected to run about $164 million above the previous forecast in 2015, according to an updated report. However, the new forecast calls for a decline in the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson plans to call a special session of the Legislature to approve bonds for Lockheed Martin's assembly plant for a next-generation vehicle for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps.

In the biggest month of the year for revenue, Arkansas reported a 6.4% increase compared to the same month last year, with fiscal year income 3.9% above forecast.

A sentencing recommendation of 15 years in prison for former Arkansas Treasurer Martha Shoffner prompts an objection from her lawyer.

Lower tax refunds helped lift Arkansas' March revenues $43.3 million or nearly 8% above forecast for the month, according to state Department of Finance and Administration director Richard Weiss.

Arkansas's February revenues ran 3% higher than the same month in 2014 and 7% above the budget forecast, according to state officials.

Arkansas saw the largest drop in the percentage of uninsured in 2014, followed closely by Kentucky, according to a recent Gallup poll.

State lawmakers in Arkansas and Washington state give initial approval to measures that would increase local transportation funding.

Arkansas started 2015 with a 7.8% year-over-year increase in January net revenues, keeping growth for the current fiscal year 2.2% ahead of schedule, according to John Shelnutt, head of economic analysis and tax research for the state.

Dennis Hunt will head the public finance team at Stephens Inc. upon the retirement of Mark McBryde after 40 years at the firm.

Public power utilities in five southern states most likely face fiscal challenges in complying with the EPA's Clean Power Plan, a new index by Fitch Ratings shows.

Arkansas collected $482.8 million in tax revenue for the month of December, which was 2.3% higher than the same month last year and 4.2% above the forecast, officials said.

Arkansas revenues were 11.8% higher than the same month last year and 6.8% above forecast, according to John Shelnutt, state director of economic analysis and tax research.

The University of Arkansas Board of Regents will look for savings with a $90 million refunding of bonds issued in 2006 for the medical school.

Former Arkansas Treasurer Martha Shoffner will face trial on mail fraud charges after she declined to say in court that she had solicited campaign contributions for her personal use.

Arkansas' $206.5 million federal highway grant anticipation and tax revenue bonds with final maturities of 2026 drew a true interest cost of 2.0858% in a competitive sale won by Citigroup.

Arkansas's newly elected governor Asa Hutchinson will inherit a budget that closely matches revenue, according to the latest report from the state Department of Finance and Administration. Nonetheless, Hutchinson will face a decision on whether to delay tax cuts.

Arkansas' budget shortfall grew in September as revenues fell nearly $10 million below the official fiscal year forecast.