State of the State Address

The House and Senate, along with the Supreme Court and constitutional officers, convened in the House chamber earlier today to hear official results of the elections, to watch the constitutional officers get sworn in (governor getting sworn in pictured above), and to hear Governor Beebe give his State of the State address (click here for the transcript).

He mentioned prison/sentencing reform, anticipated Medicaid demands on the state budget, and for the need to be fiscally-responsible during this crucial time regarding the state economy. He pitched his proposal for the half-cent reduction in the grocery tax and suggested that any other tax cut proposal be accompanied with the program that will be cut to offset the revenue loss.



A good portion of the speech was dedicated to education and Arkansas's climb in the rankings in public education (6th as of today by one publication). He praised our economic condition in relation to that of other states and saluted Speaker Robert Moore in his quest to upgrade the state's highways.

Afterwards, the governor gave a similar address in the rotunda. He'll celebrate tonight with his second inaugural ball.