Agency’s proposed budget is criticized
Posted on Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Legislators grumbled Tuesday about the proposed state police budget, most notably Gov. Mike Beebe’s recommending no more officers for the division that investigates complaints of child abuse.
Sen. Percy Malone, D-Arkadelphia, told Arkansas State Police Col. Winford Phillips during budget hearings that not helping the Crimes Against Children Division didn’t make sense especially with recent cases of “horrendous” abuse by foster parents.
The state police had asked for 16 more officers for that division at a cost of about $ 600, 000 a year.
“You said you were happy as a pig in sunshine to agree with the governor on your [budget ] request,” Malone said. “We’re way short of investigators in this division. They’re overworked, and they’re stressed.”
State Budget Director Mike Stormes said, “It’s simply a matter of balancing the budget.”
Malone said he couldn’t understand then why the administration wants to spend $ 10 million for computer projects by the Department for Information Systems.
“I’ll stop there,” Malone said. “I want to work with the administration. I think we can do something to help you.”
Beebe said he’s made fixing the state’s foster-care system a top priority. He’s ordered a “top-to-bottom review” of the Department of Human Services’ Children and Family Services Division, which oversees foster care.
Beebe spokesman Matt DeCample said later Tuesday that the governor may decide to recommend more state police officers before the 2009 legislative session starts in January. He said the governor is still reviewing budgets to find the best way to fix the state’s fostercare system.
“There was no way to have a final decision ready by the time state police went to [the budget ] committee,” DeCample said.
The police agency requested $ 86. 6 million in general revenue funding for fiscal 2010, but Beebe has recommended $ 66. 6 million. For 2011, state police requested $ 79. 6 million, and Beebe recommended $ 69. 8 million. Agencies normally request more than governors recommend.
Beebe’s entire balanced budget for all agencies is due Nov. 13 during budget hearings.
Phillips said a main goal of his is to have authority to hire 15 more troopers each of those years. Beebe approves.
State police had requested setting aside $ 5 million to use to settle a lawsuit over state police retirement benefits.
Beebe didn’t include that in his recommendation.
Rep. Tracy Pennartz, D-Fort Smith, said she didn’t like requesting money to settle a lawsuit before a settlement agreement.
“Why is it that we forecast what could be available for a claims settlement ?” Pennartz said. “I would think that the attorney general’s office or any law office would not want to say, ‘We’ve got $ 5 million.’ Why forecast what you are willing to settle for ? The reasoning for that escapes me.”
State Police Deputy Director Tim K’Nuckles later told legislators that the amount it will take to settle the lawsuit isn’t known.
“It depends how far you go back,” he said.
He said the lawyers on both sides have been negotiating over how many troopers would be covered and how many years will be included in calculations. He said the suit could turn into a class-action case.
Stormes said later that the Legislature in 2009 likely will be asked to appropriate money for a settlement when a definite amount is known.
In November 2007, the Supreme Court ruled that the state police had waived its constitutional protection of sovereign immunity in the breach-of-contract lawsuit filed by three former troopers: Roger McLemore, Charles McLemore and Mike Hall.
The troopers alleged in the 2005 lawsuit that the state wrongly failed to include in retirement benefit calculations $ 3, 500 a year they received for expenses and clothing allowances. From 1992 to 2003 the money was included as taxable income but didn’t count toward retirement. In 2003, the state began counting it toward retirement, according to the Supreme Court decision.
The Supreme Court sent the case back to Pulaski County Circuit Judge Ellen Brantley. It’s pending in her court, state police spokesman Bill Sadler said.
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
