Education, Economic Development Top Priorities in Beebe's State of the State
By: KNWA News
Updated: January 15, 2013
The state's chief executive is delivering his address before a joint session of the 89th General Assembly of the Arkansas Legislature.
See the full State of State address HERE.
Read the transcript HERE.
Here are some speech highlights via Twitter from KARK 4 Reporter Adam Rodriguez:
Beebe: We've made progress in education, but not nearly enough.
Beebe: I need your help to bring one of the biggest projects the state has ever seen.
Beebe: we will have money for grocery tax relief when Pulaski County school districts deseg payments end.
Beebe: Medicaid will receive lion's share of attention, and rightfully so.
Beebe: The size of our #medicaid shortfall has been a moving target, appears to be shrinking.
Beebe: AR #Medicaid seeing slowest growth in 25 years.
(No new information from Gov Beebe yet, just talking points leading up to session).
Beebe: it appears we will avoid cuts that would through seniors out of nursing homes.
Beebe: $1,500 of premiums paid by AR families every year goes to pay for uninsured.
Beebe: You worried about the eventual cost share (of #Medicaid expansion) to the state? I am, too.
(Talking about Pres. Clinton's ability to work with GOP to eliminate US debt for a century, AR can do the same).
Beebe: Refusing money for our people will make a statement to the Fed govt, but it won't help us.
Beebe: You are the people's representatives, given the greatest amount of power by our founding fathers.
Beebe: we will insure schools have adequate funding.
Beebe: we will remember men and women in uniform as well. Supporting legislation to help soldier students, spouses into AR communities.
Beebe: will shore up funding to forestry, dept of correction, and COLA increase for state workers.
Beebe: years of fiscal budgeting have made our finances manageable. Must not stop now.
Beebe: we will keep budgets balanced, improve education and give our people support.
Beebe: let no one doubt our resolve to help those we have been called to represent.
Beebe concludes remarks after roughly 25 minutes. Receives another standing ovation, shakes a few hands and leaves.
Arkansas House Speaker Davy Carter on Beebe's address: "I thought it was a great speech."






