They are lined up around the block from the Capitol’s nice shinny doors waiting for the January session to open with their mouths open like birds for a feeding…wanting their share of the “surplus”. Inside the Capitol, the Brotherhood is huddled together rubbing their hands together plotting how much they can put into parking lots and street lights in their little corners of the state, good for re-election after all. But wait a minute; the economic future of our state might be in for a bumpy ride the next few years. You think the Legislature might take into account the facts and put some scratch in a rainy day fund? I am not betting on it.

States cut taxes and shored up savings accounts in 2006, ahead of a predicted economic downturn that could slow broad economic growth, according to an analysis released Wednesday.

National Governors Association director Raymond Scheppach said a three-year period of economic prosperity may be ending, and he cautioned states to consider the long-term implications of budget surplus spending.

Like other states, Arkansas’ fiscal condition was strong. The state’s projected surplus is $843 million.

And like other states, that condition may be deteriorating, experts said.