U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor stopped by the Joint Budget Committee today to say hello and to say he is trying to schedule some meetings where legislators can get more information on the  federal stimulus money the state is to receive soon.

The state’s share of the $787 billion package President Obama signed into law this week is expected to be about $2.1 billion. 

“It’s important for you all to get accurate information on what is in this, what isn’t and how this will work,” Pryor told lawmakers.

Pryor, who served in the state House and as state attorney general before being elected to the U.S. Senate, also said Gov. Mike Beebe is to be in Washington, D.C.,  this weekend for a National Governor’s Association meeting and will be briefed on how much the state will receive.

Like former President Bill Clinton on Wednesday, the senator also sang praises of the state’s current economic situation and budget and noted that many other states are suffering and face budget cuts because they’ve spent more money than they raise in taxes.

Arkansas law prohibits deficit spending.