Governor’s Budget in Arkansas

Blog post

In his inaugural address on January 13, Governor Hutchinson discussed fostering economic growth and job creation. He called on the state to offer computer science in each high school and to improve high school job skill training. In January, he released his budget recommendations for 2015-16, which includes his middle-class tax relief, supports a computer science educational program and funds corrections programs.

The proposed budget increases the Public School Fund 2.4 percent to $2.2 billion, which includes a 2.5 percent increase in general education, up to $2.1 billion. To incentivize schools to offer computer science courses, $5 million from general improvement funding would be dedicated to Computer Science Initiative grants. Fulfilling a campaign promise, the governor recommends maintaining higher education spending; higher education institutions would receive $733.5 million.