Content Tagged 'forestry'

The Arkansas Senate has approved using $2.6 million from the state's surplus to keep the financially troubled Arkansas Forestry Commission operating and to repay federal money state official say the commission improperly used to prop up its budget.

Gov. Mike Beebe says 15 firefighters with the Arkansas Forestry Commission will be put back to work this month after a shift of money within the state's budget.

Legislators on Wednesday questioned the director of the Arkansas Forestry Commission over whether the legislature should appropriate $2.7 million after budget problems led to the firing of 36 employees.

Former State Forestry Chief Financial Officer Robert Araiza wants to clear his name before state lawmakers.

Arkansas lawmakers are considering a proposal to restore 20 firefighting jobs to the financially troubled Arkansas Forestry Commission, but how to pay for those positions remains uncertain.

Arkansas lawmakers are continuing to look at the Forestry Commission's decision to lay off 34 employees to help close a $4 million budget shortfall.