Big plans in closing week

LITTLE ROCK - Legislative leaders prepared to take a key step in bringing the 85th General Assembly to a close this week with the unveiling of a plan to set spending priorities for the next two years.

Lawmakers, shooting to finish their business by Friday, were to get their first look at a draft of the Revenue Stabilization Act, the session-ending legislation that will categorize more than $7 billion in state spending for the two-year budget cycle that begins July 1.

The unveiling before the Joint Budget Committee on Monday was expected to be accompanied by a report from the state Department of Finance and Administration on the official two-year budget forecast.

DF&A Director Richard Weiss foretold of dire revenue problems Friday, but that was an April Fool's Day report that lawmakers and state agency officials alike had to be convinced was just a joke. The real thing is not expected to venture far from the current forecast for moderate growth.

Major state budgets have been on hold as legislative leaders determined how to address a court order to renovate dilapidated public school buildings across the state.

The Legislature has approved a framework for determining how state dollars will be distributed to local school districts to help with construction over the next decade.

Yet to be resolved is a plan to devote $150 million to get the facilities program off the ground over the next two years.