Arkansas lawmakers give first OK to $500M tax cut package

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas lawmakers have given initial approval to a $500 million tax cut package.

The majority-Republican House and Senate on Wednesday, Aug. 10 approved identical versions of bills outlining the tax cuts proposed by GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

Hutchinson called a special session to take up the tax cuts after the state’s surplus reached $1.6 billion.

The tax cuts passed over objections from Democrats who questioned whether the move would jeopardize some of the state’s COVID-19 relief money. Democrats have also said lawmakers should raise teacher pay.

Gov. Hutchinson issued a statement on the proposal:

Final votes on the tax cuts are expected in both chambers on Thursday, Aug. 11.

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