TEXARKANA, Ark. - Gov. Asa Hutchinson reviewed recent Republican legislative accomplishments and looked to the future Monday at a local GOP event.
Hutchinson was the keynote speaker of the Miller County Republican Committee's Red White and Blue Lincoln Day Dinner at the Arkansas Convention Center. Local Republicans heard Hutchinson talk about his three-part approach to Arkansas' success: economic development, infrastructure improvements and education.
Citing a business-friendly atmosphere in the state, Hutchinson touted the lowest unemployment rate in Arkansas history and a decrease in the individual income tax rate to 5.9% beginning next year. He said the state has a $140 million surplus and $125 million in long-term reserve.
"We see what infrastructure does," he said, referring to Texas' investments, and pointed to the $300 million highway plan enacted in this year's legislature. He encouraged support for a measure on the November 2020 ballot that would extend Arkansas' half-cent sales tax earmarked for roads.
He also said getting high-speed internet access to all parts of the state is a priority that cannot depend on federal funding alone.
"I want to accelerate that. I want to see that done in quicker fashion," he said, adding that with broadband access, "you can run the world from your front porch in Texarkana, Arkansas."
While not raising taxes, the state is able to increase teacher pay by $4,000 over the next four years, he said. He emphasized focusing on third-graders reading at grade level, increased participation in technology education and higher rates of high school graduation as Arkansas' educational goals.
Hutchinson also touched on his efforts to recruit industry to the state, including a recent trip to India.
The Lincoln Day Dinner was a fundraising event.
Hutchinson will return to Texarkana on Thursday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Texarkana Aluminum on the Texas side.
He is serving in his second term as governor and because of term limits, he is not allowed to run again. Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin has announced that he will run for the governor's seat in 2022.