Little Rock, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has formally outlined her expectations for Arkansas’ next major spending plan, sending a detailed letter to Cabinet secretaries and department directors that sets the tone for the 2028–2030 biennial budget process. The message is direct, structured, and centered on continued cost control, efficiency, and limits on government growth.
The letter was sent as state agencies begin early preparations for the upcoming two-year budget cycle. In it, Sanders reinforces her administration’s long-standing focus on fiscal restraint while urging agency leaders to carefully evaluate spending, staffing, and program performance before submitting funding requests.
At the core of the governor’s message is a continued push tied to the Arkansas Forward initiative, a statewide effort aimed at improving efficiency and reducing government costs. According to the letter, the program has already identified substantial savings, which the administration says will continue shaping budget decisions going forward.
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“Dear Cabinet Secretaries and Department Directors:
Thank you for your leadership and continued support of my administration’s key priorities. Through the Arkansas Forward initiative, we have kept the growth of government low and, thanks to this fiscal discipline, have cut income taxes four times, lowering our overall rate by 25%. Even still, there is more work to do as we seek to responsibly phase out our state’s income tax.”
The governor’s letter places strong emphasis on maintaining that fiscal direction. She connects recent tax cuts and budget discipline directly to agency responsibility, framing the upcoming budget cycle as another opportunity to reinforce the state’s financial strategy.
“To build on that success, I want to remind you of the commitment I made to the people of Arkansas and your role in carrying it out. We must do more with less: limiting the growth of government while improving efficiency at state agencies and investing in the areas of genuine need. Achieving these goals in a single budget is a great feat requiring hard work, diligence, and discipline. We have done it every year since I took office, and I am confident we can do even more in the next biennium.”
The guidance lays out a clear process for agencies as they begin drafting their budget requests. Department leaders are expected to meet with the Department of Finance and Administration as well as Governor’s Office staff to align spending plans with statewide priorities.
Sanders also made clear that while agencies may submit requests for changes in non-General Revenue programs, increases in General Revenue spending will be tightly controlled and approved only through executive recommendations. This centralization of budget authority signals a continued effort by the governor’s office to closely manage overall state spending levels.
A significant portion of the letter encourages agency leaders to take a more critical look at their internal operations. Sanders asks officials to question existing spending patterns and evaluate whether current resources are being used effectively.
“As you enter into this process, I ask that you take initiative and ask your leadership teams tough questions. Have you identified all savings in your agency? Are you certain your agency’s dollars are being spent to their highest and best use? Are Arkansas taxpayers getting their money’s worth from the programs you run? What must change to accomplish our goals? We must all work together to identify new savings and efficiencies, while ensuring the people of Arkansas are being served well.”
The governor also highlights several specific priorities that agencies must consider while building their budgets. The Arkansas Forward initiative remains at the center of the plan, with officials pointing to at least $300 million in previously identified savings and efficiencies as a foundation for future recommendations.
“Please make note of the following items as you prepare your budget:
• Arkansas Forward: We are making great progress through the Arkansas Forward initiative in all focus areas, having already identified at least $300 million in savings and efficiencies. The results of this initiative will drive Executive Recommendations for this biennium. Please focus closely on this initiative, which will help us deliver better, more efficient state government services at less cost.
• Identify Savings: Please work to continue to find cost savings opportunities outside the scope of Arkansas Forward. We should look for any opportunity to reduce costs while still delivering high quality services to the people of Arkansas.
• Personnel: Due to the comprehensive overhaul of the pay plan, personnel requests should be limited. Departments must discuss any potential personnel requests with the Office of Personnel Management prior to submission. Only requests that are critical to advancing the interests of our citizens and that demonstrate measurable efficiencies will be considered.”
Throughout the letter, Sanders repeatedly returns to the theme of limited government paired with performance-driven accountability. Agencies are being asked not only to reduce costs where possible but also to justify how existing funds are being used to serve residents effectively.
She concludes by reinforcing her administration’s broader goals for the state’s financial future, including continued tax reductions and long-term structural efficiency. The tone of the message blends fiscal discipline with an expectation of collaboration across departments.
“It is critical that we put forward budget requests that reflect responsible, limited government, while still fulfilling the priorities Arkansans expect from their leaders. I look forward to your plans to work collaboratively to cut costs, improve services, and make Arkansas the best state in America to live, work, and raise a family.
Sincerely,
Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Governor of Arkansas”
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As agencies move into the planning stages for the 2028–2030 budget, the governor’s letter sets a clear framework: tighter spending controls, continued emphasis on efficiency, and a push for measurable results across all levels of state government.
