If elected to a second term, Gov. Mike Beebe may not propose an ambitious agenda, but he wants to finish what he's started.

Beebe says he wants to continue along the paths he's set for education, economic development, health care and prisons.

In an exclusive interview with Michael Tilley with our content partner, The City Wire, Beebe says that he hopes to cut the remaining percentages off the grocery tax.

As to tax policy, Beebe remains consistent with his plan to cut the sales tax on groceries. His administration has successfully pushed the removal of 4% from what was originally an almost 6% sales tax rate on groceries.

“I will not vary from my stance all along. I want to continue to reduce the grocery tax until we get it removed. ... But only in a responsible manner after fully first meeting the reasonable essential services of our state,” Beebe explained during a recent interview with The City Wire. “When we could afford to do more we did 3 cents. When we could afford to do a lot less we, did 1 cent. If we can afford to do nothing, we will wait until we can afford to do it.”

He is nervous about the wait, admitting a “significant concern” that if the full 6% is not removed in his first or second term, it won’t get done. If Beebe does remove the entire 6%, he will likely go down as the Arkansas governor responsible for the biggest tax cut in state history — an interesting potential distinction for a Democrat.

Beebe offers more thoughts on balancing the budget, highway funding, prisons and Medicaid.  You can read the full interview at this link.