Beebe says GOP plan could result in 61 Ark. layoffs | Politics

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- A proposal to cut three percent of the Governor's budget.

The GOP counter-budget would cut three percent, or $21 million, of the Governor Mike Beebe's $4.7 billion state budget.

The Governor reviewed the proposed cuts and asked state agencies to do the same.

Those agencies came back stating the cuts will lead to reductions in services and personnel.

But Republican lawmakers say that may not happen at all...setting the stage for a battle of the budget.

"At the end of the day, it's going to take agreement to get anything done and that is important," said Republican John Burris, the House Minority Leader.

Democratic House Majority Leader Johnnie Roebuck said the budget has already been thoroughly reviewed.

"I trust that we have a very good budget and I support it. Could there be another hundred dollars here or a hundred-thousand there? Perhaps there could be, but I think we need to be real careful going down that road because every time you cut there has to be something in the services area cut," Roebuck said.

Democrat Bubba Powers is the House Majority Whip, the third highest ranking member of the House and works to ensure the Democratic Party is on the same page when it comes to voting.

He said these cuts are not about delay, but about "political gamesmanship," and adds that this debate should have already taken place.

"That's the purpose of why we come to Little Rock for two or three weeks before every session, and I think that's the time when you really get into the nuts and bolts of the budgeting process," Powers said.

State lawmakers hope to wrap up this fiscal session by March 2nd, despite disagreements over budget cuts.

Republican House Minority Leader John Burris hopes to trim $21 million in agency spending.

"We did meet with the Governor. He gave us some good suggestions, I think, and feedback on what we had proposed. We offered what I thought was constructive feedback on his proposal," Burris said.

That feedback includes cuts in Medicaid, reductions to law enforcement, the health department and education.

But according to the governor's office those cutbacks could layoff at least 61 state employees.

Representative Burris says that's not a fair number.

"In 2010 we had a ten-times larger cut in state government on a smaller budget, and there was no layoffs or interruptions in services and so I think it can be done. I do think there is broad, bi-partisan consensus even for some sort of reduction in spending," Burris said.

While the Democratic Party controls the House and Senate, Republicans hold enough seats to block the Governor's budget from moving to a vote.

Minority Leader Burris said it is not to that point yet, adding he's hopeful the vote will take place only when all lawmakers are prepared.