Why Vote for Dr. Pakko?
Dr. Michael Pakko has been a prominent economist in Arkansas for years, bringing information and analysis of the Arkansas economy to business and community leaders, and to the people of Arkansas.
Now he is running for Arkansas Treasurer of State to take that personal mission to the next level.
As a passionate advocate for economic education, financial literacy, and government transparency, Dr. Pakko proposes to make the office of Treasurer of State a source of transparency for the state’s finances.
Dr. Pakko has a PhD in Economics and served as a research economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. For the past 15 years he has been the Chief Economist at UALR’s Arkansas Economic Development Institute.
He has an established reputation in research and teaching, with a focus on the Arkansas economy, and he will apply this background to fulfill the functions of the Treasurer of State.
As an effective communicator, Dr. Pakko is a frequent media commentator on the Arkansas economy.
Information and Analysis
As a specialized constitutional office of the state, the Treasurer should have the credentials and experience necessary to lead an important arm of our state government. The Treasurer of State serves as the State’s banker and is responsible for an investment portfolio of over $11 billion. Dr. Pakko’s resume shows that he has the skills and knowledge to take on that task.
The office of the Treasurer is staffed by career professionals who maintain all the books and compile all the required reports. The State Treasurer is just the politically-elected CEO of this operation. In business, the role of a CEO includes making sure that the operating officers of the organization are doing their jobs, with the ability to step in and help when necessary. But primarily, the CEO addresses the outside environment of the organization—its stakeholders.
“As Arkansas Treasurer of State, I would make it my mission to bring information and analysis of state finances to my stakeholders: the people of Arkansas. The Treasurer of State is in a unique position to explain to the taxpayers of Arkansas where ALL of their tax dollars are going. That is why I propose making the office of Treasurer of State a portal of transparency for state government finances.”
Vote Different
The position of State Treasurer is enshrined in the Arkansas Constitution as an independent executive office, entrusted with stewardship over the tax dollars of Arkansans. Yet, it is typically occupied by a career politician. Rather than being a source of independent information and advocacy for the people, the Treasurer’s office has been a backwater for party loyalists seeking the next stepping stone in their political careers.
The role of State Treasurer is an independent constitutional office. If that independence is to be respected and supported, then perhaps the best person for the position is someone who is NOT part of the two-party system that has monopolized our state government for over 150 years.
“If you share my belief that the two-party system has led us into a dead-end of bickering, posturing, hyper-partisan politicians running our government, then express your dissatisfaction with a vote of support for an alternative party candidate.”
News and Events
Stay tuned for news and information about the Pakko for Arkansas Treasurer campaign.
Labor Day is traditionally the start of the political campaign season so it’s time to get to work, and we’re hitting the ground running! Here’s what’s…
Find out more about Dr. Pakko and his campaign in these new feature articles from Arkansas Money & Politics and GoodParty.org…
An important job of the Arkansas Treasurer of State is serving as Chair of the Arkansas Financial Education Commission (AFEC). I look forward to supporting the…
On the eve of the Arkansas Legislature being called into special session to consider tax cuts, Dr. Michael Pakko sat down with KATV-7 news reporter Emma…
“Libertarian Pakko begins long shot campaign for treasurer.” That was the headline of an article by syndicated columnist Steve Brawner last week. It’s a nice introduction…
At their annual convention over the past weekend the Libertarian Party of Arkansas nominated Michael Pakko to run for Treasurer of State