LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson today announced the appointment of Mitch Rouse as Secretary of the Department of Transformation and Shared Services. “Mitch has shown his dedication to Arkansas, and I have full confidence that he will continue to lead the transformation efforts,” Governor Hutchinson said, “He has invaluable experience serving the state and will be a great fit as Secretary of Transformation and Shared Services.” Mitch Rouse served dual roles as Director of the Office of State Procurement (OSP) and Chief Legal Counsel of the Department of Transformation and Shared Services (TSS).  As Director, Mitch oversaw the procurement of commodities and services for the state. As Chief

Governor Hutchinson’s weekly radio address can be found in MP3 format and downloaded HERE. LITTLE ROCK – I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Israel Innovation Authority this week, and today I’d like to talk about what this means to Arkansas. On Tuesday, my economic development team gathered with Dr. Ami Appelbaum, Chairman of the Innovation Authority, and Livia Link, Consul General of Israel. We gathered at the Melrose Hotel in Washington for the signing ceremony. Dr. Appelbaum and I signed copies of the agreement in English and in Hebrew. This agreement affirms the mutual interest of Arkansas and Israel to share ideas and to work together

LITTLE ROCK – In the 2021 Regular Session of the 93rd General Assembly, legislators passed Act 586 “The Tax Appeals Commission Act”. This new act directed the state to create, within the Department of Inspector General, an independent agency with tax expertise to hear and resolve disputes between the Department of Finance and Administration and taxpayers before requiring the payments of the amount in issue. By establishing the Tax Appeals Commission as an independent tax tribunal within the executive branch of government, taxpayers are provided with a means of resolving controversies with the Department of Finance and Administration before a neutral

Governor Hutchinson’s weekly radio address can be found in MP3 format and downloaded HERE. LITTLE ROCK – Hundreds of high school students explored the halls of the Arkansas Capitol last week during the annual exercise in government known as Girls State and Boys State. The week-long programs, which are sponsored by the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary, offer rising seniors the chance to form a government, run for office, and write and vote on legislation. At the end of the week, the students visit the Arkansas Capitol, where they conduct the business of state government in the place where it really happens. During Boys State

LITTLE ROCK – The following is a list of public appearances by Governor Asa Hutchinson from Sunday, June 12, 2022, through Saturday, June 18, 2022:  Sunday, June 12, 2022 NATIONAL FOX News Sunday Check your local listings Tuesday, June 14, 2022 WASHINGTON D.C. State of Arkansas & Israel Innovation Authority MOU signing 12:30 p.m. Melrose Hotel Wednesday, June 15, 2022 HOT SPRINGS Arkansas Bar Association Annual Meeting 8:30 a.m. Hot Springs Convention Center Hot Springs, AR Thursday, June 16, 2022 ROGERS 2022 Mid America Aerospace & Defense Summit 12 p.m. Embassy Suites and Convention Center Rogers, Arkansas   Schedule is subject to

LITTLE ROCK – With the increased concern about school safety in the wake of recent events around the nation, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced today that he has issued an executive order to reinstate the Arkansas School Safety Commission. “The recent violence in Texas was a stark reminder that the work of securing our schools is never done,” Governor Hutchinson said. “That is why I am calling the Arkansas School Safety Commission back into service. Members of the commission, which I created in 2018, submitted thirty significant recommendations in their original 124-page report. School districts around the state have implemented many of the

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has no public events from Sunday, June 5, 2022, through Saturday, June 11, 2022. Schedule is subject to change. For further updates from Governor Hutchinson, follow on Facebook or Twitter (@AsaHutchinson). CONTACT: Press Shop (press@governor.arkansas.gov)

Governor Hutchinson’s weekly radio address can be found in MP3 format and downloaded HERE. LITTLE ROCK – As our nation mourns the death of nineteen students and two teachers at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, the national conversation has turned again to the need to make our schools more secure. In Arkansas, educators and legislators have long recognized the need for vigilance to keep our children safe. Concern for the safety of our students didn’t suddenly become a priority last week because of the violence in Texas. Four years ago, after a young man killed seventeen students in Parkland, Florida, I created the Arkansas School Safety Commission

Governor Hutchinson’s weekly radio address can be found in MP3 format and downloaded HERE. LITTLE ROCK – Monday is Memorial Day, and this week, hundreds of volunteers are placing an American flag in front of every gravestone in each of Arkansas’s five military cemeteries. We observe Memorial Day, which began shortly after the end of the Civil War, to honor the memory of those who died in service to the United States. The flags honor everyone who served in one of the five branches of our military – the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, and the Navy. The three national cemeteries are in Little Rock, Fort Smith,

LITTLE ROCK – The following is a list of public appearances by Governor Asa Hutchinson from Sunday, May 29, 2022, through Saturday, June 4, 2022:  Sunday, May 29, 2022 NATIONAL CBS Face the Nation Check your local listings Monday, May 30, 2022 NORTH LITTLE ROCK Memorial Day Observance 9 a.m. 1501 West Maryland Avenue Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery Saturday, June 4, 2022 STUTTGART 2022 Arkansas Duck Stamp Unveiling 11:30 a.m. 2315 HWY 63 N RNT Calls Schedule is subject to change. For further updates from Governor Hutchinson, follow on Facebook or Twitter (@AsaHutchinson). CONTACT: Press Shop (press@governor.arkansas.gov)