An Arkansas legislative committee has advanced a bill to use state surplus funds to lower an increase in teacher insurance premiums that are to hit next year.
The Joint Budget Committee on Thursday endorsed the proposal to use $43 million from the surplus to lower the premium which otherwise would increase by as much as 50 percent. The proposal is the centerpiece of a package of bills aimed at reducing the premium increase.
The surplus money and redirected surplus funds in subsequent years is expected to lower the premium increase to 10 percent.
Identical versions of the bill now head to the state House and Senate for votes. Thursday marked the start of a special session that was called to address the insurance issues.