Gov. Asa Hutchinson is lauding legislative passage of his government reorganization legislation. Time will tell if it makes government leaner and more efficient.

His release today:

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Governor Asa Hutchinson praised the members of the 92nd General Assembly this morning for making history by passing House Bill 1763 and creating the Transformation and Efficiencies Act of 2019.

This legislation authorizes the reduction of the number of cabinet-level agencies from 42 to 15 and accomplishes the largest reorganization of state government in almost 50 years.

“I am grateful for the thought and labor that so many have invested to transform our state government and for the leadership of President Pro Tempore Jim Hendren, Speaker Matthew Shepherd, and bill sponsors Representative Andy Davis and Senator Bart Hester,” said Governor Hutchinson. “Historic change is never easy, but these efforts to increase efficiencies and improve services in state government are long overdue. This is a great day that sets Arkansas on a course for an even greater future with a state government that is more efficient, a better steward of taxpayer dollars, and serves the people of Arkansas well. With the passage of this law, we have proven once again that Arkansas can lead nationally on any number of policy issues, from tax reform and education, to reforming the way state government operates.”

The passage of this legislation completes the Governor’s four goals (“Four ‘Ts’”) for this year’s legislative session – competitive tax cuts, transportation funding, teacher pay increases, and transformation of state government.

Governor Hutchinson plans to sign the historic legislation during a ceremony on the front steps of the State Capitol tomorrow afternoon.

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