Secretary of State
1. Abortion: Arkansas’ current law that prohibits abortion except to save the life of the mother in a medical emergency.
Michael Pakko (Libertarian)
Oppose
There should be some greater latitude to accommodate the health needs of the mother and baby. Exceptions for rape and incest might be considered as well.
There should be some greater latitude to accommodate the health needs of the mother and baby. Exceptions for rape and incest might be considered as well.
2. Abortion: Establishing a permanent funding stream to provide state-funded grants to charities that provide women with alternatives to abortion.
Michael Pakko (Libertarian)
Oppose
Taxpayer dollars should not be used to give grants to charities of any type.
Taxpayer dollars should not be used to give grants to charities of any type.
3. Education: The Arkansas LEARNS Act Educational Freedom Accounts that lets families use public dollars to pay for an education at a private school or homeschool.
Michael Pakko (Libertarian)
Oppose
While I support school choice in principle, the LEARNS Act falls short of the goal of providing real choices for parents in rural communities in Arkansas. It subsidizes those who had already enrolled their children in private schools and represents a huge cost to taxpayers that doesn't improve our educational system.
While I support school choice in principle, the LEARNS Act falls short of the goal of providing real choices for parents in rural communities in Arkansas. It subsidizes those who had already enrolled their children in private schools and represents a huge cost to taxpayers that doesn't improve our educational system.
4. Drugs: Legalizing recreational marijuana in Arkansas.
Michael Pakko (Libertarian)
Support
Yes, I support the legalization of recreational marijuana in Arkansas. When it comes to questions of what people are allowed to eat, drink, or smoke, the government has no right to interfere. Each individual owns his or her body.
Yes, I support the legalization of recreational marijuana in Arkansas. When it comes to questions of what people are allowed to eat, drink, or smoke, the government has no right to interfere. Each individual owns his or her body.
5. Tech: Requiring major social media websites to verify all users’ ages in order to protect children on their platforms.
Michael Pakko (Libertarian)
Oppose
Decisions about how to protect children are the parents' responsibility, not the government's.
Decisions about how to protect children are the parents' responsibility, not the government's.
6. Gambling: Letting casinos in Arkansas conduct gambling online.
Michael Pakko (Libertarian)
Support
The decisions of responsible adults on how they spend their money on entertainment is none of my business, and none of the government's.
The decisions of responsible adults on how they spend their money on entertainment is none of my business, and none of the government's.
7. Elections: Current ballot initiative efforts to change the Arkansas Constitution to make it easier for private individuals or entities to place measures on the ballot for a statewide vote.
Michael Pakko (Libertarian)
Undecided
I am not aware of any such ballot initiative. I do support the rights of citizens to petition their government and to initiate referenda. Those rights are protected by the constitutions of the United States and Arkansas.
I DO support the current ballot initiative efforts to overturn the blatantly unconstitutional laws that the Arkansas legislature has passed to obstruct those rights.
I am not aware of any such ballot initiative. I do support the rights of citizens to petition their government and to initiate referenda. Those rights are protected by the constitutions of the United States and Arkansas.
I DO support the current ballot initiative efforts to overturn the blatantly unconstitutional laws that the Arkansas legislature has passed to obstruct those rights.
Kim Hammer (Republican)
Oppose
The current laws that are being challenged in court provide effective and secure method for citizens to place measures on the ballot. "Easy" or "difficult" are not the issue. Fair, ethical, secure and accountable are the issues.
The current laws that are being challenged in court provide effective and secure method for citizens to place measures on the ballot. "Easy" or "difficult" are not the issue. Fair, ethical, secure and accountable are the issues.
8. Guns: Confiscation of firearms from citizens that the government deem a danger to themselves or others, otherwise known as red flag laws.
9. Marriage: The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision that legalized same-sex marriage.
Michael Pakko (Libertarian)
Support
I don't believe that the government should play any role in marriage at all. If it does enact policies treat married and unmarried people differently, it should abide by the principle of equal protection.
I don't believe that the government should play any role in marriage at all. If it does enact policies treat married and unmarried people differently, it should abide by the principle of equal protection.