Arkansas Forestry Agency Backs Plan To Restore Jobs
(AP) - The Arkansas Forestry Commission is endorsing a legislative panel's proposal to restore 20 firefighting jobs to the agency even though the recommendation doesn't call for a way to fund them.
The Commission on Monday supported a recommendation made by a budget subcommittee formed to look at the agency's finances.
The proposal is expected to go before the Joint Budget Committee on Tuesday.
The legislative panel last week declined to include a proposal by State Forester John Shannon to increase the fire protection tax to pay for the new positions.
Shannon said the Commission can pay for four of the positions by shifting money in its budget for the coming year.
The Commission laid off 34 employees this month to close a $4 million budget shortfall.
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