The second week of the Arkansas Legislature's fiscal session wrapped up Thursday.
Lawmakers passed several budget bills with virtually no controversy. This included a funding bill for the Department of Human Services, Medicaid and maternal health funding, money for the Arkansas Minority Health Commission and the state Ethics Commission.
Republican House Speaker Brian Evans says the session has been “productive” so far. Speaking with reporters Thursday, he said he's confident the legislature will be able to limit spending and continue phasing out the state income tax.
Evans was especially excited about a resolution passed Thursday increasing the state's homestead property tax credit, calling it “meaningful tax relief."
“We hear more and more from our constituents the importance of having them address the cost of their property taxes.”
Republican Rep. Bart Schulz got no pushback from fellow lawmakers when presenting the resolution to increase the tax credit. The resolution passed by a vote of 92 to zero. Schulz says he doesn't like putting tax bills in the fiscal session, but he wants to improve the cost of living for Arkansans.
“In a time where gasoline is higher than it's been in years, and groceries are high, I personally was not comfortable sitting on this for a year,” he said.
The credit is an end-of-year discount in property taxes for eligible homeowners. If signed into law, the current $600 tax credit will increase to $675.
Meanwhile, Evans responded to questions about a controversial amendment put forward Wednesday. Republican Sen. Terry Rice wants to defund former Corrections Secretary Joe Profiri’s current position as advisor to Gov. Sarah Sanders.
Rice says Profiri was paid too much for a “lack of performance.” Evans said he plans to speak to Rice about the amendment.
Evans said the 29th or 30th of April should be the last day of the fiscal session. He says the body plans to focus efforts on budget bills to protect the "sanctity and purity” of the fiscal session.
