Former House Speaker Bill Stovall, who’s been working as an assistant to House Speaker Benny Petrus, won’t be leaving the Capitol any time soon. He will add to his duties the title of House constituency services director, succeeding Barbara McBride, when she retires June 1. The selection is the choice of the House speaker and the management committee. His salary will remain the same, $96,382.  We got tipped to this by a Capitol employee who didn’t seem happy that someone without a college degree (Stovall), would be supervising legislative staffers with degrees.

Buddy Johnson, coordinator of legislative services, in confirming the appointment said, “I have great confidence in Bill Stovall. Obviously the leadership does, too. He’s done a tremendous job. The proof is in the way the session ran.”

Advertisement

UPDATE: Just got a call from Speaker Petrus. “In my opinion, Mr. Stovall has a doctoral degree as far as the House of Representativers is concerned.” Petrus, who defeated a Stovall-backed candidate, Will Bond, in his race for speaker, praised Stovall’s integrity and knowledge and said he could have landed higher-paying jobs elsewhere. “I am very pleased to keep him on full time,” Petrus said.

 

Advertisement

 

Arkansas Times: Your voice in the fight

Are you tired of watered-down news and biased reporting? The Arkansas Times has been fighting for truth and justice for 50 years. As an alternative newspaper in Little Rock, we are tough, determined, and unafraid to take on powerful forces. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, we are making a difference. But we can't do it without you. Join the 3,400 paid subscribers who support our great journalism and help us hire more writers. Sign up for a subscription today or make a donation of as little as $1 and help keep the Arkansas Times feisty for years to come.

Previous article What’s cooking, April 19 Next article Cops in Conway operate a bingo hall