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Little Rock, AR (March 30, 2010) – A report released today from Americans for Prosperity Foundation - Arkansas indicates an alarming growth in Arkansas’ government jobs sector. Since February 2000, Arkansas state government has added 14,300 jobs. That adds up to an additional cost to tax payers of approximately $685 million per year.

Arkansas Director of Americans for Prosperity, Teresa Oelke, believes that this is clear evidence that Arkansas has a spending problem.

“You cannot continue to grow government at this pace and expect to attract or retain private jobs,” stated Oelke. “Politicians talk about a balanced budget, but they avoid the issue of state spending and state government growth. Arkansas ranks 40th in business tax climate and now has the 5th fastest growing government sector in the U.S. With these government growth trends, we cannot compete in a global economy.”

Americans for Prosperity Foundation-Arkansas Jobs Report

February 2010 Data

Arkansas Job Facts

· The Arkansas private sector economy is struggling, losing 31,600 jobs over the past year. That is a 3.3% decline.

· The taxpayer-paid government workforce is not proportionally sharing in the pain that private workers are facing. During the last year, taxpayer supported-jobs in Arkansas increased by 1,800 jobs or about a 0.9% increase.

· Arkansas now has 31,600 fewer private sectors workers supporting the salary of even more government workers. That translates into a growing burden for those Arkansas private sector workers who are still employed.

· Current government employment in Arkansas at 196,000 is 14,700 more than just five years ago and in a state with little population growth.

· Since February 2000, Arkansas state government has added 14,300 jobs, which adds an additional cost to taxpayers of approximately $685 million per year.

· Since 2000, Arkansas has had the 5th fastest growing government sector out of all 50 states.