Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today unveiled the Arkansas Forward Dashboard, a new online tool designed to provide Arkansans with real-time transparency into state government efforts to reduce costs, enhance services, and deliver results for taxpayers. The dashboard tracks the Arkansas Forward initiative's progress toward its goal of achieving at least $300 million in taxpayer savings and cost avoidance by the end of 2030. Since its launch in 2024, the initiative has already identified an estimated $188 million in savings.
"Arkansans deserve a government that's accountable for every tax dollar it spends,” said Governor Sanders. “The Arkansas Forward Dashboard gives taxpayers a front-row seat to the progress we're making to cut waste, improve services, and deliver better results. Transparency is how we continue making Arkansas the best place to live, work, and do business."
The Arkansas Forward initiative has identified over 300 opportunities to reduce costs and improve services across the executive branch's 15 cabinet-level departments, focusing on information technology, procurement, fleet management, personnel, and real estate. Department of Shared Administrative Services Secretary Leslie Fisken said, “It demonstrates Governor Sanders’ commitment to efficient and accountable government operations.”
Earlier this year, Governor Sanders expanded Arkansas Forward by signing an Executive Order to streamline permitting processes for economic development. This order requires cabinet-level agencies to review and improve their regulatory approval processes within 180 days, aiming for faster, simpler, and more transparent operations, including clear timelines and online application portals.