$74,000 supports travel of governor

Economic group, GOP give most

When Gov. Asa Hutchinson goes on economic development trips, the private Arkansas Economic Development Foundation often picks up part of the tab.

The foundation paid about $19,000 for his trip to Asia in November and $22,000 for his trip to Europe in June. The privately financed foundation supports the activities of the publicly funded Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

The foundation's contributions made up more than half of Hutchinson's $74,000 in trips paid for by outside parties in 2015. The information was included on a statement of financial interest filed on Monday with the secretary of state's office.

Hutchinson spokesman J.R. Davis said the governor's economic development trips are essential, but the governor doesn't want to saddle the taxpayers with the full cost.

"These are important trips. You've got to go out there and pitch the state," he said. "The governor is the CEO of the state. It means a lot for him to share the story of Arkansas."

Davis said the foundation paid for half the cost for the governor to go on the trips and the full cost for the first lady, Susan Hutchinson, to go. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission paid the remaining amount.

Outside of economic development, the Republican Party of Arkansas paid for about $22,000 in trips that included a visit to the Alfalfa Club in Washington, D.C.; an April interview on NBC's Meet the Press and a stop at the White House Correspondents' Dinner; a visit to speak at the Bentonville Film Festival; and a stop in Cuba to promote Arkansas businesses.

The largest payment by the party -- $5,679.77 -- was for Hutchinson to speak at the Charles Koch Institute Advancing Justice Summit in New Orleans on Nov. 5 and 6. The Charles Koch Institute also contributed $184.57 for that trip.

According to a news release, Hutchinson spoke about his efforts to "expand alternatives to incarceration that would more successfully rehabilitate offenders and alter behavior." He served as the keynote speaker.

Hutchinson received more than $12,500 in income from Arkansas, Hutchinson Securities Strategies and B2G Global Strategies, an investment firm.

Davis said Hutchinson Securities Strategies was the governor's consulting company, but he no longer accepts clients.

Hutchinson received Arkansas cuff links worth about $250 from Torii Hunter, the former professional baseball player born in Pine Bluff.

His wife received $1,075 in gifts from the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, the University of Central Arkansas, the Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute in Mountain Home and others.

Also on Monday, House Speaker Jeremy Gillam, R-Judsonia, reported no gifts or trips paid for by outside parties.

His main source of income was the state of Arkansas. He earned more than $1,000 -- but less than $12,500 -- from Gillam Farms of Arkansas Inc. and LexMin LLC, which handles natural gas royalties. His wife, Carissa Gillam, earned more than $12,500 from Arkansas State University at Searcy.

Commissioner of State Lands John Thurston reported no gifts or trips paid by outside parties. His main source of income was the state of Arkansas. His wife earned more than $12,500 working as a nurse at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Metro on 02/02/2016

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