Colleges and universities will receive a 4 percent increase over current levels. One of government's most important jobs is to keep our streets safe, so we have included funding for housing an additional 562 prison inmates, including 312 in maximum security. The budget provides for increased staff at the state Crime Lab and funds a new crime victim notification program. It ensures continued funding for the Arkansas State Police's Family Protection Unit so it can investigate child abuse and domestic violence. While government isn't a business, there's no reason it can't be run more like one.
Business owners know employees are more productive when they are rewarded for their efforts.
Government should work the same way. To go along with our budget, we are proposing the creation of the Career Ladder Incentive Program, which would give state employees bonuses and pay increases for high performance. A budget is more than just dollars and cents. It is a statement of our priorities. With this proposal, we are putting the needs of working families and students first by offering tax cuts and providing more money for our schools.