Little Rock, Arkansas – Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced significant progress on Arkansas Forward, a statewide initiative designed to streamline government operations, reduce costs, and improve services for Arkansans. The initiative has uncovered actionable strategies for cost savings and efficiency, with results already beginning to take shape.
Governor Sanders praised the team’s hard work and dedication to this project. “Our team took a sweeping, comprehensive look at government efficiency in Arkansas and I am excited by the report I received on that work today,” she said. “Across all state agencies, this team discovered potential ways to save taxpayer money and improve services. Many of Arkansas Forward initiatives are already underway and I look forward to this project continuing and reducing the burden of government on our taxpayers.”
300 Initiatives for $300 Million in Savings
The Arkansas Forward progress report highlights more than 300 potential initiatives across all 15 state departments. These combined efforts aim to generate $300 million in cost savings and cost avoidance over the next six years. The savings will come from a focus on five primary areas:
- Information Technology – Streamlining systems and improving infrastructure.
- Procurement – Reducing costs through better purchasing practices.
- Fleet Management – Optimizing the state vehicle fleet to save on fuel and maintenance.
- Personnel – Enhancing workforce efficiency and reducing redundancies.
- Real Estate – Optimizing the use of state-owned properties.
Secretary of Transformation and Shared Services Leslie Fisken emphasized the importance of delivering real results for the state’s citizens. “The charge from Governor Sanders for the Arkansas Forward team was clear: improve citizen experience, improve employee experience, and create savings and efficiencies. We are excited to deliver to her the Arkansas Forward progress report, which reflects months of hard work from all executive agencies and functional groups. We will continue to evaluate opportunities for improvement and work to implement these findings.”
Work Already Underway
The initiatives outlined in the report represent both new strategies and enhancements to existing programs. Many projects have already been launched, and the state is beginning to realize improved services and cost savings. These early successes are the result of collaboration among state departments and a shared commitment to better serve the people of Arkansas.
Governor Sanders presented the Arkansas Forward report to the state legislature as part of her ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability. The full report is now available to the public for review, outlining detailed opportunities and action plans for each department.
“Arkansas Forward is about making government work smarter, not harder,” Governor Sanders said. “Our citizens deserve efficient, cost-effective services, and this initiative proves we can deliver real savings without sacrificing quality.”
By identifying inefficiencies and implementing sustainable solutions, Arkansas Forward is set to create meaningful, long-term improvements in state operations. The progress so far reflects the hard work of the Arkansas Forward team and signals a transformative step toward a leaner, more efficient government for the people of Arkansas.
To view the full report, click here.
