LITTLE ROCK — Incoming Senate President Pro Tempore Michael Lamoureux, R-Russellville, has hired a former Democratic state senator to be his Senate aide, Lamoureux said Thursday.
Lamoureux said former state Sen. Steve Faris, D-Central, will serve as his aide for the 2013 session. Faris was a Senate aide to Senate President Pro Tempore Paul Bookout, D-Jonesboro, during the 2011 and 2012 sessions.
Lamoureux said he hired Faris because Faris has a long history in state government and he was helpful to Bookout. He said Faris will be paid about $500 a week.
As to whether he’ll draw criticism for hiring a Democrat as his Senate aide after Republicans gained control of the Senate for the first time in 138 years, Lamoureux said sometimes people don’t like his decisions, and “I am sure there will be somebody who doesn’t like this as well.”
Faris served in the Senate from 2001-11 and in the House of Representatives from 1997-2001. He also served several years as a staff member in the state treasurer’s and secretary of state’s offices. He currently serves on the Arkansas Lottery Commission.
Arkansas, Pages 21 on 12/23/2012