Legislation outlining Arkansas' $5.3 billion budget for the coming year calls for funding increases for the state's Department of Human Services and public schools, with $13.8 million in money being set aside for the rainy day fund.
Legislative leaders have released the proposed Revenue Stabilization Act, the budget bill that calls for a $142.7 million increase in spending. House Speaker Jeremy Gillam says he expects his chamber to take up the legislation on Wednesday with lawmakers hoping to wrap up the fiscal session this week.
The bill closely mirrors the budget Gov. Asa Hutchinson proposed in March, with a nearly $112 million increase in funding proposed for Human Services and a $23.7 million increase for school funding.