Michael Pakko for Arkansas Treasurer

Dr. Michael Pakko has been a trusted Arkansas economist for years, now he’s running for Treasurer of State.

Economic Outlook presentations around the state.
Member of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors.
Frequent media commentator on the Arkansas economy.

Why Vote for Dr. Pakko?

Experience & Expertise

EXPERIENCE

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.

EXPERTISE

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.

About Dr. Pakko

Information and Analysis

Fiscal Transparency

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 about $9 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.”

More on Fiscal Transparency

Vote Different

Vote Libertarian

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.”

Vote Libertarian

News and Events

Updates from the campaign

Stay tuned for news and information about the Pakko for Arkansas Treasurer campaign.