LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders proposed her plans and priorities before lawmakers for the upcoming budget. She described her focuses as education, public safety, child well-being and government efficiency. To meet those goals, the governor asked for an almost 2.89% budget increase.

Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders presented her proposed budget to lawmakers Thursday. It would increase spending by 2.89% — about $182 million — for fiscal 2026. The big picture: The state's constitution requires the budget to be balanced.

The governor’s office announced that $204 million in financial assistance will be given to 45 different water and wastewater projects in Arkansas. According to the governor’s office, the projects serve 198,627 Arkansans throughout 28 counties.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee-Sanders was in Oklahoma today, touting Arkansas LEARNS and speaking on her administration’s emphasis on education.

On Tuesday, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced a new state employee pay plan that will "bring state employee pay up to labor market rates."

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders proposed a budget to lawmakers Thursday morning. The governor said the budget proposes to raise spending by 2.89%, with funding going towards education, maternal health,

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders proposed a $6.49 billion budget Thursday that raises spending by 2.89% and focuses on her priorities of education, maternal health, government efficiency and public safety.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Thursday proposed a $182.5 million increase in the state's general revenue budget to $6.49 billion for the upcoming fiscal year, with much of the increase going toward the state's school voucher program and governor's pay-plan for state employees.