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Budget panel denies Beebe emergency fund, OKs juvenile lockup contract Friday, Jan 19, 2007 By Jason Wiest Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The Joint Budget Committee voted down Gov. Mike Beebe's request for a $500,000 emergency fund Thursday and sent bills requesting staff and equipment for the governor's office to subcommittees. The committee endorsed a five-month, $4.9 million contract for a new private company to run the troubled Alexander Juvenile Correctional Facility. The committee defeated separate attempts to appropriate $500,000 and $250,000 to replenish the governor's emergency fund for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends June 30. The emergency fund normally is replenished at the beginning of each fiscal year and is to be used disaster and emergency aid at the governor's discretion under Arkansas Code 12-75-114. Former Gov. Mike Huckabee depleted the fund prior to leaving office, which is not an uncommon practice, Richard Weiss, director of the state Department of Finance and Administration, told the committee. Still, committee members questioned how Huckabee spent the money. A report from the Bureau of Legislative Research showed Huckabee gave $100,000 to the Play it Again Arkansas program, which was created by Huckabee to collects donated used instruments and for distribution to schools statewide for use by needy students. The former governor also gave $10,000 to the Hot Springs Documentary film Institute to purchase a motor vehicle to support activities. Before voting the measure down, lawmakers jokingly asked how Beebe would spend the money. "Will this money be used possibly to buy some new lights and equipment for the governor's conference room?" Rep. Rick Saunders, D-Hot Springs, asked. Weiss said he did not know if Beebe would consider that purpose an emergency need. The governor's office said Wednesday that Huckabee's staff removed lighting and speakers from the Governor's Reception Room before Beebe took office. Beebe spokesman Matt DeCample said he was told the equipment was removed because it was purchased with private funds. DeCample said he was unaware of who provided the money or what became of the equipment. The budget panel members reviewed and approved the youth services lockup contract but said, but said they would monitor the private company closely and consider other options in the future, including state operation. G4S Youth Services of Virginia starts running the lockup Sunday, and John Selig, director of the state Department of Health and Human Services, told the committee he was confident the company would provide better management than former operator Cornell Companies. DHHS terminated Cornell's contract to operate the Alexander center last year after an investigation determined that staff may have used psycotrophic drugs to restrain youths. The department will beef up its monitoring plan during the transition, Selig said. The state has the option of renewing the contract for one more year, Selig said. While Cornell provided a staff member for every 10 children, G4S will provide one for every eight youth. Additionally, registered nurses will be available on-site more than they were with Cornell, Selig said. Some lawmakers still had concerns. "I have a great bit of fear and trepidation that we're being rushed into something," Sen. Jimmy Jeffress, D-Crossett, said. Sen. Shane Broadway, D-Bryant, said G4S is the best immediate option. The lockup is in Broadway's district. Feedback from around the country on the company has been positive, Selig said. The company's approach seems to be more educational than correctional, he said. "I don't want to stand here and tell you I know that they're going to do a great job," he added. "These facilities around the country are very difficult to run," Selig said. "There aren't that many people in the business, a lot of states struggle with them, and we're going to have to monitor them closely and get the resources it needs to run it well." |
