Hutchinson sworn in as 46th governor, says jobs are top priority

Gov.-elect Asa Hutchinson will give a “health care reform address” Jan. 22, he said Tuesday to a packed Arkansas House of Representatives chamber after taking the oath of office as the state’s 46th governor.

Speaking to members of the House and Senate, Hutchinson avoided using the word “private option” during that part of his 15 minute address. Legislators are divided about whether to retain the program, which was created in 2013 and now serves about 200,000 Arkansans. (See the provided transcript of Hutchinson’s speech at the end of the this story.)

The state’s “first order of business” is economic development and job growth, which are the keys to other state priorities such as schools and highways, he said. To encourage that growth, he said the middle class tax cut upon which he campaigned will be presented to legislators later this week.

Hutchinson said he would present a balanced budget to the Legislature by the end of the month that will include areas of savings and inefficiencies but will fully fund education.

Regarding education, he repeated his campaign pledge to ensure that all Arkansas high schools offer computer science. He said it “will give us an opportunity not to lag behind the nation, but to lead the nation.”

Hutchinson was greeted warmly as he and the state’s new first lady, Susan Hutchinson, made their way into the chamber. He recited the oath of office administered by Chief Justice Jim Hannah while she held the Bible – his late father’s – upon which his hand rested. Earlier, the state’s other constitutional officers were sworn into office.

In his speech, Hutchinson called for criminal justice reform that will address a prison population that is 3,500 inmates above capacity. He pointed out that 3,500 is also the size of the increase of parole revocations from 2013 to 2014 after reforms were enacted to make it less likely that prisoners would be paroled.

Hutchinson said a friend in south Arkansas had told him that he should respond to his larger-than-expected victory by being “bold in your leadership.” He said Arkansas is in the midst of a time of change. Change is often resisted because it is uncertain and because it requires people to wrestle with their convictions, he said.

“But sometimes change is resisted because we are content and comfortable in the status quo, and let me tell you, friends and colleagues, that the status quo for Arkansas is not acceptable,” he said.

Hutchinson warned that if Arkansas does not adapt to new realities, the next generation of Arkansans will call other cities home.

“I challenge myself, the citizens of this state and my colleagues in this room to embrace the energy of change and growth,” he said.

He called for legislators to work together to address the issues that will come before them.

“Governing is not about which political party is in the majority. Governing is about setting aside differences and searching for common ground,” he said. “And as we search for the common ground, we realize quickly that our differences are smaller than we thought, and our hearts are larger than we imagined.”

Later this evening, Hutchinson will participate in the Governor’s Inaugural Ball at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

Vince Insalaco, chairman of the Democratic Party of Arkansas, released this statement after Hutchinson’s inaugural address: “Arkansas Democrats continue to follow Gov. Hutchinson's indecisiveness regarding the Private Option. We urge our new Governor to look at the facts. Taxes were cut in a compromise between Democrats and Republicans to create the Private Option, but Gov. Hutchinson is now reconsidering those bi-partisan tax cuts. Now, a year later, over 200,000 working Arkansans have insurance. Now, a year later, our rural hospitals in Arkansas are still open because of the private option – providing critical services for rural communities and jobs for Arkansans. We urge our new Governor to look closely at the Private Option that has become a win-win for Arkansas.”

TRANSCRIPT OF GOV. ASA HUTCHINSON’S INAUGURAL SPEECH
Gov. Tucker, Gov. Huckabee, Sen. Pryor, Mr. Chief Justice, distinguished guests, and, most importantly, to my fellow Arkansans,

Thank you.

I am humbled by the opportunity and the responsibility that you, the people of Arkansas, have bestowed upon me. Today, I accept that responsibility as the 46th elected Governor of this great state.

There are moments in life that stand apart. This is one of those moments. For me, it is my highest public honor. . . . But, more importantly, it is a tribute to the miracle of democracy that we witness every election cycle in the U.S.—the orderly transfer of authority. And it is the envy of the world—this moment here on the steps of our state Capitol. It is a reminder of why we are all so blessed to be Americans.

And we are especially privileged to be Arkansans, and to live in a state with so much natural beauty and so many wonderful people—a state with a rich history and unbounded promise. Yes, we are the Natural State.  And while I am from the Ozark hills, I know the beauty of a Delta sunrise and the vast timberland of the South. And so while we enjoy the natural bounty of our geography, we also continue as the Land of Opportunity. And today we are presented with unprecedented economic opportunity during time of great change in the world.

In fact, we live in a time of consistent change. Political change. Demographic change. New technologies. Our challenge in the years ahead will be to adapt our agriculture, our government services, our health-care system and our industry to our changing world without forsaking our values. In other words, let’s embrace the energy of change and all the opportunity it brings without forsaking our foundation. Our most reliable foundation is truth, our faith and confidence in Almighty God as He guides our nation and state.

It is truly a new day in Arkansas. An historic day. A day that many of us never thought we would see in our lifetimes. The Republican majorities are evidence of the realization that a new day requires a new look.  A new look at how government works; how we create jobs; how we partner with faith-based and nonprofit organizations, and how we adapt in every walk of life to changing technology.

But governing is not about which political party is in the majority. Governing is about setting aside differences and searching for common ground. And as we search for the common ground, we realize that our differences are smaller than we thought and our hearts are larger than we imagined. We realize that we all care about the state we love and that we can work together to accomplish even more to enhance freedom and the spirit that is uniquely American and, yes, uniquely Arkansas.

And when we come to work tomorrow in this magnificent building behind me, our charge will be the same: to build a new foundation for job creation and economic growth. My top priority is to grow the economy of this state, to create jobs, and for Arkansas to enter a time of sustained economic power and influence. This is no easy task. But we accept these challenges. We embrace them. After all, we are Arkansans. There is no moment too big for us.

We can compete and win in this global marketplace by lowering our tax rates, starting with the middle class; by improving job skill training in our high schools and two-year colleges; by offering computer science in every high school; and by reducing the burden of unreasonable regulations on our businesses.

As governor, I want people to work; and when they work, they should be better off; and when they work hard enough, they should move up the economic ladder. These are common sense values that give Arkansans hope.  Hope for a better life. "We have every right to dream heroic dreams," Ronald Reagan said in his first inaugural address.

And while we strive to work and get ahead, we must not forget our responsibility to provide a safety net for those particularly in need. And I am grateful for those who are working every day to protect neglected and abused children.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the military veterans who are here today and our men and women in uniform serving all over the world. They remind us of the sacrifice necessary to maintain freedom. And they remind us of Arkansas's strong contributions and link to the world—our important place in the world. What we do here matters to people all over the globe.  Just consider:

Our agriculture nourishes the world.

Our homegrown businesses, like Walmart, Murphy Oil, Dillard's and Tyson, clothe and feed the world.

Our world-class academic institutions, like UAMS not far from here, educate the world.

Our arts, from the one-of-a-kind exhibits at Crystal Bridges in Bentonville to the talented artisans of the Delta such as Miller's Mud in Dumas, are among the joys of the world.

Our writers and musicians entertain and inspire. I noticed just the other day that the great soul singer Al Green of Forrest City was honored by the Kennedy Center. We are so blessed with talent.

I don't know if you're familiar with the gentleman who sang the national anthem, Dwight Clyde "D.C." Washington, but he's one of the most recognized singers of the anthem in the United States. He now lives in Springfield, Virginia, but he grew up in McGehee, Arkansas.

Considering the size of our state and our national and global influence, what Arkansas has done is nothing short of amazing. And that's why I'm so optimistic about our future together. Arkansans can do anything because, well, we have done everything.

And we're just getting started because it is a New Day in Arkansas!

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the people of Arkansas.