buddy johnson
Arkansas House attorney, former state representative picked to be next House parliamentarian
Arkansas House Speaker Matthew Shepherd has tapped House Chief Legal Counsel John Vines to be the chamber’s next parliamentarian. Vines, who has been the House’s top attorney since 2017, will replace retiring Parliamentarian Finos “Buddy” Johnson, who has served in the role since 2012. Vines was a Democratic state representative from Hot Springs between 2011-2017 […]
Arkansas House parliamentarian retiring after a decade advising speakers and members
The man who sits to the left of the Arkansas House Speaker rarely speaks. From atop the Speaker’s rostrum, he whispers instructions and watches for members who wish to be recognized. As former House Speaker Jeremy Gillam put it, he “keeps the train running on time and out of the ditches.” After 11 years, House […]