LITTLE ROCK, AR - The Arkansas House of Representatives rejected a measure that would have tied state spending to disposable income.
By a 49-47 vote, HB1041 failed to advance to the Senate.
House majority leader Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Hot Springs) had his bill skipped over twice because he wasn’t sure he had the needed 51 votes for passage.
Before the vote Westerman acknowledged the success of the current state budgeting system, known as the Revenue Stabilization Act,
"I think we are better (than other states budgeting) but this gives us an opportunity to be best," Westerman says.
Governor Mike Beebe says he does not support the bill because the general assembly already has the ability to control government spending.
Westerman could bring up the proposal for another vote later in the session.
