Committee of Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) of the Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC) – June 4, 2009
Posted on June 4th, 2009
The agenda for this meeting can be found here. You can see all the information and attachments that the legislators are looking at during this committee meeting here.
Richard Wilson is presenting the May 2009 Revenue Report. We are currently 26.3 million ahead of forecast but net availiable for distribution of is down by 0.9%. This is due to an large increase in refunds.
Tobacco tax revenues increased from $11.7 million to $19.7 million due to a near doubling of the cigarette tax during the session. If collection levels hold, sufficient funds will be availiable to cover new programs.
The severance tax is DOWN by 10.5%
Cash fund appropriation increase requests for Board of Public Accountancy (FY09), Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training(FY10), Arkansas State Police(FY10), and Board of Nursing(FY10) all reviewed.
Representative Maloch is questioning the Tobacco Control Board, asking why they are needing at budget classification transfer this soon after the session. Explaination seems to indicate that a Governor’s letter changed distributions that needed to be adjusted but were not. This is a corrective action.
Rep. Lea asked for clarification on some of the Tobacco Control Board expenditures. Mrs. Lea was concerned that tax increase led to an additonal increase in enforcement efforts.
Answer from the Tobacco Control Board was rather unresponsive.
Rep. Maloch has question for the Minority Heath Commission. Mr. Maloch is especially uncomfortable with budget tranfer requests this soon after the session. Wants to know what has changed. Explaination is a recent completion of a strategic planning process.
Attorney General’s office is moving budgeted money from professional fees to purchase vehicles. Rep. Reep asked if this would negatively impact funds availiable for professional fees. Rep. Ray Kidd wanted to know if the vehicles would be purchased in Arkansas.
The “Miscellaneous Federal Grant Appropriation Requests” for FY10 are currently being reviewed. I will spare you the mind numbingly boring details. Rep Reep sought clarification about a state contribution percentages. Rep. Rice sought to ask Dept. of Workforce Services about addtional postions. There are 38 new positions for the duration of recovery act funding. The hiring is reported to be “temporary” and positions end January 2011. Rep. Rice is asking if there are assurances that the positions will end when federal funding is eliminated. Rep. Sample asked if the average expected salaries really are about $44,000 per year per position. Rep. Sample makes the point that when the federal funding is eliminated the State of Arkansas is still going to me obligated to additional expenses such as unemployment. The response is that these positions will not likely be eliminated but personnel will move into positions created by attrition.
Tim Smith, procurement manager for the Dept of Health answering questions. Rep. Reep seeking clarification on salaries, since some of the salaries are funded from two different sources, the actual salaries tend to be much higher than is apparent at first glance. Sen. Teague is also asking follow-up questions to try to determine Dr. Thompson’s actually salary. Rep. Lea asking about “comprehensive and risk appropriate maternity and family planning care to low-income women” contract for $524,772.00. She wanted to know if any of those funds provided abortion services. She was assured they were not. Many legislators, Republican and Democrat, feel that they need to be kept on record an that subject.
Currently reviewing contracts between state agencies. Just shoot me now, I would be less bored as a dead man.
Appropriation and Fund Transfer Request for Dept of Education – Better Chance Program (FY09) was approved. Reallocation of resources for Dept of Human Services (FY09) also approved. Merit pay and bonuses were reviewed. Emergency transfer requests were reviewed. Dept. of Workforce Services is growing by 141 additional jobs. Legislators are concerned about the long term state obligations with this level of government growth. Again, the director thinks that these will be permanent positions filling positions opened by attrition. Rep. Rice is asking what the historical statistics for attrition has been been. He is being assured that the statistics are appropriate for the additional temporary positions created.
Routine monthy reports read and reviewed. Committee room is losing observers quickly, mostly only legislators present now. Committee is adorned.
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