Sanders Launches Dashboard Tracking Arkansas Forward Savings

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders launched a new Arkansas Forward Dashboard on Tuesday, giving the public a way to track the state’s cost-cutting and efficiency initiative, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

The dashboard tracks progress toward Arkansas Forward’s goal of identifying at least $300 million in taxpayer savings and cost avoidance by the end of 2030. Since the initiative launched in 2024, it has identified an estimated $188 million in savings and cost avoidance, according to the release.

“Arkansans deserve a government that’s accountable for every tax dollar it spends,” Sanders said. “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.”

Advertisement
Advertisement

Arkansas Forward has identified more than 300 opportunities to reduce costs and improve services across the executive branch’s 15 cabinet-level departments, according to the governor’s office. The efforts focus on five areas: information technology, procurement, fleet management, personnel and real estate.

The dashboard includes a downloadable public dataset intended to show where state government is identifying efficiencies and savings, according to the release.

“Arkansas Forward has been a team effort across the Governor’s 15 cabinet-level departments,” said Department of Shared Administrative Services Secretary Leslie Fisken. “It demonstrates Governor Sanders’ commitment to efficient and accountable government operations. We’re happy to share our results with the people of Arkansas, who, ultimately, benefit from this initiative.”

Earlier this year, Sanders signed an executive order expanding Arkansas Forward to include state permitting, licensing, certification and other regulatory approval processes.

Under the order, cabinet-level agencies that issue those approvals must review their processes and identify ways to make them faster, simpler and more transparent. Agencies have 180 days to submit improvement plans, which may include clear permitting timelines, online application portals, real-time status updates and a single point of contact for applicants.