§ 15-9-103 - Legislative findings and intent.
15-9-103. Legislative findings and intent.
(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that the economic well-being of Arkansas and its communities depends upon the belief of its citizens that their state and their community are places where:
(1) Families can live in safety and security;
(2) Quality health care is readily available;
(3) The educational system meets the needs of learners of all ages;
(4) Government services are provided in an efficient and effective manner;
(5) Opportunities for business and commercial growth are encouraged and supported; and
(6) The state's natural heritage and quality of life are protected and enjoyed.
(b) The General Assembly further finds and determines that the economic and societal changes that have occurred in the last half of the twentieth century have been driven primarily by major advances in the fields of science and technology. These advances have caused unanticipated and dramatic shifts in the educational and skill requirements for the nation's workforce and wide disparities in the availability of economic opportunities within and between states.
(c) It is the intent of the General Assembly to provide the communities of this state with a mechanism to meet the economic and societal challenges that have and will continue to arise as new technologies are developed and marketed.
(d) It is also the intent of the General Assembly that this mechanism will prepare Arkansas communities and government agencies to deal with economic and societal challenges by encouraging:
(1) A vision for the twenty-first century in which Arkansas will have an information-ready citizenry and state leaders will be knowledgeable about information-age budget policy;
(2) Collaborative partnering, the essential behavior of the twenty-first century economy;
(3) Organizational and budgeting collaboration for connectivity investments and investments in people networks;
(4) Links between community needs and statewide network applications;
(5) Economic development expansion strategies that are based on information connectivity; and
(6) Integration of existing state resources as the embodiment of planned, long-term change.