SANDERS
From page A3
and federal office in the state. The Legislature kicked off this year's session Monday. In her speeches Tuesday, Sanders offered few details on an education reform measure she's said is her top priority. Sanders said the measure will expand pre-kindergarten, improve literacy rates and prepare students for the workplace.
She also indicated it would include some form of using public money to pay for private schooling or home schooling.
'Let's give parents a greater role in education, including the right to choose the school that's best for their child, whether it's public, private or parochial,' she said.
She repeated her support for raising teacher pay, although she did not give a specific amount. State House and Senate committees have recommended giving teachers $4,000 raises. Democrats said they were encouraged by Sanders' support for teacher raises and expanding pre-K, but criticized her calls to root out what she calls 'indoctrination' in schools.
'Arkansas Democrats stand with our teachers and know they are first and foremost much too busy grading papers, buying their own supplies, and making lesson plans to indoctrinate anyone,' the party said in a statement.
Other executive orders Sanders signed Tuesday include a freeze on most government hiring and on new government rules and regulations.
Sanders said she wanted to begin phasing out the state's income tax, which has been cut over the past several years, although she did not specify the amount she wants to cut it by this year. She takes office with the state sitting on more than $2 billion in reserves.
She also repeated her call for a public safety plan that includes new prison space.
Sanders is succeeding Asa Hutchinson, who leaves office after eight years due to term limits. Hutchinson, a Republican, is considering running for president.
He has said Trump winning the GOP nomination again would be the 'worst scenario' for his party.
Aside from Hutchinson and her father, other former Arkansas governors attending Sanders' inauguration included Democrats Mike Beebe and David Pryor.
