Asa Hutchinson, Legislative Leaders Talk Session Issues

Gov.-elect Asa Hutchinson speaks with reporters Jan. 6 on the upcoming legislative session.

Gov.-elect Asa Hutchinson said it makes sense for the Legislature to address his tax cut proposal early in the upcoming legislative session, and says he expects quick action from the state’s lawmakers. 

“Previous governors have held items, but I want this session to get off to a quick start,” Hutchinson told reporters Tuesday at a forum sponsored by the Arkansas Associated Press Managing Editors. 

The governor-elect said he saw no need to wait on his tax cut proposal until other issues, including the private option and prison overcrowding, had been addressed. 

Hutchinson said there would be discussion about possibly delaying other tax cuts already approved by the Legislature.

More: During his talk with reporters, Hutchinson said he was open to changes in the school consolidation law.

Speaking to reporters after Hutchinson, Senate President Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe, echoed the governor-elect’s sentiment, and said the goal of the Legislature is Hutchinson’s middle-class tax cut.

Related: Lawmakers say Hutchinson’s tax cut proposal will dominate the debate.

Dismang and incoming speaker of the Arkansas House Jeremy Gillam, R-Judsonia, also said they would like to see the private option addressed early on in the session.

Hutchinson said he expects to make a decision on the private option later this month, and plans to give a “major speech” on the issue soon. The governor-elect, who will be sworn into office on Tuesday, added that he will submit a budget proposal early in the session to give lawmakers an idea of his parameters.

“[Legislators] will see I’m prepared to submit a balanced budget,” he said. 

On prison overcrowding, Hutchinson said he asked Wendy Kelley, who was appointed to the position Monday, to supply multiple options for consideration, including a new prison, additions to existing facilities and shipping inmates to a privately run facility in Louisiana. 

Dismang said he hasn’t had any discussions with fellow legislators who are proponents of building a new $100 million prison, and added there are “a number” of opponents.

“The last thing I would want to do is build a new prison,” Dismang said.

The state’s legislative session will begin Monday.