Pat O'Brien will strive to make online filing and research as convenient as possible for businesses. In addition, citizens wishing to hold businesses accountable deserve easy access to corporate records. Pat wants to make these records easily searchable much the same way that a google search works. This transparent approach leads to accountability in business and corporate functions.
On the Issues
Elections
The Secretary of State serves as the chief election official in Arkansas. The office is responsible for both working with all 75 counties to run smooth elections and for providing voter education to all Arkansas citizens. The Secretary of State should be fair and non-partisan in the conduct of elections.
Preserving and Marketing Arkansas History
Pat O'Brien has experience with the preservation of historical documents. Pat wants to work closely with historical groups and find funding for the use of technology in the archiving process. Pat also wants to work with all 75 county courthouses to continue their efforts to preserve historical court and real estate documents.
Redistricting
Every ten years the State of Arkansas must go through a process known as “Redistricting”. This means that the 100 seats in the House of Representatives and the 35 seats in the Senate are redrawn to conform to the shifts in population following the census. Redistricting will occur again in 2011. There are three elected officials that make the decisions in this process: The Governor, the Attorney General and the Secretary of State.
The Capitol Building and Grounds
Pat O'Brien has worked through security issues at the Pulaski County courthouse. Pat will perform a comprehensive evaluation of the security needs of the State Capitol and enact a plan that will include input from all stakeholders. Safety and security in a post 9-11 world must be taken very seriously.
