https://t.co/2udoIVwLzSElections Have Consequences: GOP Control Has Significantly Changed Arkansas
For the first time in history Arkansas is outperforming the nation in terms of job creation, lower unemployment and overall growth projections.
The growth rates are unprecedented, and they are reflected in all six metro areas.
The 3.9% unemployment rate is considered full employment. According to the Center for Business and Economic Research, “Holy Moly. Anyone who wants a job can find one today in Arkansas.
"The recession in the energy sector has not significantly impacted the state because the economy is so diversified."
Construction is a big driver of new jobs but the Center is not concerned about a building bubble "because the population is growing and new people need homes."
Arkansas was the last state in the old Confederacy to never have Republicans control a legislative chamber since the post-Civil War period.
Republicans took over the legislature in 2013 for the first time since 1874.
In 2010, Democrats had the Governorship, both Senate seats and three of the four Congressional districts.
Today the GOP controls all of those offices. The GOP legislature cut taxes and spending, instituted a hiring freeze, and reduced regulations.
The conservative lawmakers are continuing to work on judicial reform and "schools of excellence", and many of them say they have only just begun.
In 18 months, 51,400 jobs have been created, and the Center describes them as "good jobs at good wages." 149 businesses have either moved to the state or expanded.
State Rep. Charlie Collins, the former Chairman of the Revenue and Taxation Committee, says "Instead of fostering the growth of jobs, in the 138 years the Democratic Party controlled Arkansas, the overall tax burden grew to the fourth highest in the nation as a percentage of our income.
"They gave us the highest taxes in the region. They presided for 138 years over failing school systems that left too many children ill equipped for good jobs.
"They were content for Arkansas to be near the bottom in the percentage of people with college degrees.
"We are now becoming a good jobs magnet! No more, 'Thank God for Mississippi otherwise we'd rank #50!'
"Go Arkansas employees and job creators, we'll keep supporting you in Little Rock!"
We don't know if Arkansas Republicans will have a slogan this year, but it could be "You've Never Had It So Good."
