The Arkansas State Legislature’s House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development has unanimously approved a bill that would provide $20 million in tax dollars for the development of alternative fuels. The bill is sponsored by House Speaker Benny Petrus (D-Stuttgart).

This from the Associated Press story in the Houston (TX) Chronicle:
“This is the only platform I’ve had as speaker,” the Democrat from Stuttgart said after the panel endorsed his proposal. “I’m real excited about this, and it’ll be a great opportunity for our state and our economy.”

The bill would take $10 million each year from the state’s General Improvement Fund and $10 million from general revenues. A spokesman for Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe was non-committal on whether the governor would sign the bill. Of course, it still has to make it through the full legislature.