Big Marshals Museum appropriation not a sure bet
by February 2, 2009 7:07 pm 55 views
Included in HB 1304 is a $22.8 million appropriation for the U.S. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith.
But don’t spend any of that money just yet.
The bill is a reappropriation bill for the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. If approved, the bill allows for balances of capital improvement funds and other financial commitments to be carried forward to the next biennial budget. The bill was filed Monday (Feb. 2) by the Joint Budget Committee.
“I know that it is there, but I’m not sure it is real money,” Sandi Sanders, project director for the museum efforts, said of the $22.8 million line item.
State appropriation bills often provide a certain amount to be spent on a project or program, but don’t necessarily mean the state will ever have the funds to “authorize” partial or full payment of what was appropriated.
Gov. Mike Beebe allocated $2 million in February 2008 to the museum project. Matt DeCample, spokesman for Beebe, said Monday he is not aware of any other funding plans other than the $2 million.
DeCample said it is possible the $22.8 million line item is there to “attach” the museum to a state agency in the event general improvement funds are available. Previous court rulings have made it necessary for general improvement funds to go through a state agency budget instead of being directed by a legislator — through a bill — to a community project or program.
Sanders has inquired about the appropriation, but is not in a hurry to fill out a deposit slip.