State Treasurer launches statewide outreach efforts

State Treasurer launches statewide outreach efforts

Milligan wants office to focus on transparency, openness

stacy.peterson@artreasury.gov

LITTLE ROCK — Treasurer of State Dennis Milligan has launched a statewide outreach campaign to promote an open dialogue and transparency with constituents.

Milligan has begun taking on speaking engagements in the public arena, updating groups on the various areas the office oversees.

“It’s important for me that we update the public on the work that their state treasurer’s office is doing,” Milligan said. “We’ve taken a different approach with regard to our investment style, and that approach has paid off for the taxpayers of Arkansas.” In his first full year in office, 2015, the Treasurer’s office receipted $8 million more than it had in recent years. Milligan was able to double that amount in 2016, totaling $48.9 million receipted.

Milligan touted the establishment of the Long Term Reserve Fund, which takes excess earnings from investments – above those needed for the highway plan – and sets them aside.

The idea behind creating the Long Term Reserve Fund is to allow the state to be better positioned to weather an economic downturn should one occur.

But another reason for Milligan’s outreach efforts is to draw attention to lesser- known areas administered by the Treasurer’s office, such as the Arkansas 529 GIFT Plan, a competitive college savings plan.

From Stacy Peterson