Asa Hutchinson sworn in as Ark. governor

Republican Asa Hutchinson took the oath of office to become the 46th governor of Arkansas on Tuesday, finalizing the GOP's takeover of a Southern state once considered a Democratic holdout.

The Associated Press reports Hutchison spoke before the state House and Senate, pointing to his campaign promise of cutting income taxes to the middle class by $100 million a year.

"Sometimes change is resisted because we are content and comfortable with the status quo," Hutchinson said after being sworn in. "Let me tell you, friends and colleagues, that the status quo for Arkansas is not acceptable."

Read more from The Associated Press.