LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas — The Arkansas State Legislature is expected to meet Thursday to formally adjourn its fiscal session, which ended last week. But, there is a snag.
State Sen. Ronald Caldwell of Wynne explained the issue on Tuesday’s Yawn Patrol program.
“We’ve got an issue where we’ve passed the budget called RSA (Revenue Stabilization Act),” he said. “We’re required to have a balanced budget. We can’t have deficit spending. … The Game and Fish budget is included in that and has been passed, but the legislature has not given them permission yet to spend it because the House of Representatives has not passed their appropriation bill.
“There is conflict over there right now with trying to give the Game and Fish director a pay raise. … Some of the folks in the House are upset with it, and they’re holding up the RSA,” Senator Caldwell added. “They will have to go through and pass that appropriation bill to give the Game and Fish permission to do that. What happens if they don’t, come July 1, which is the first day of the new budget, Game and Fish will have the money in their bank account, but they don’t have the permission to write a check on it.”
Meanwhile, State Rep. Jack Ladyman of Jonesboro says he is no longer running for the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Ladyman was one of three running to lead the House during the next General Assembly. He says he is withdrawing consideration due to family health concerns involving his wife.
The 77-year-old was first elected to the House in 2014 and serves in the House leadership as an Assistant Speaker Pro-Tem. He also serves on the Public Health, Labor, and Welfare Committee and the Insurance and Commerce Committee.
That leaves State Rep. Johnny Rye of Trumann and State Rep. Brian Evans of Cabot as speaker candidates.
