Vote on bill keeps counselor post intact

The Legislative Joint Budget Committee on Thursday endorsed an appropriation measure for the state Board of Examiners in Counseling that wouldn’t eliminate the board’s executive director or place the board under the state Department of Health.

Previously, the budget committee’s Special Language Subcommittee recommended the committee approve an amendment to House Bill 1110 to ax the director’s job and transfer the board’s powers, funds and two staff positions to the Health Department.

But state Sen. Bruce Maloch, D-Magnolia, saidThursday that he decided not to ask the budget committee to approve the amendment, after he was contacted by numerous counselors who didn’t think it would be in the board’s best interest to be placed under the Health Department.

Under the amendment proposed by House Democratic leader Greg Leding of Fayetteville, the board would still function, but it wouldn’t have an executive director, Maloch said. He noted that auditors for the Legislative Audit Division have questioned several thousand dollars of board Executive Director Alan Pogue’s travel expenses that the board had authorized.

He said he’s asked the board for various information and, if that information isn’t provided by Tuesday when the House is expected to consider HB1110, “then we’ll let the chips fall where they may.”

Pogue, of Sherwood, is paid $70,000 a year.

In April 2013, the board voted 5-3 by secret ballot to hire Pogue, who had resigned from the board in January 2013 to take the job on an interim basis. The board publicly confirmed their vote in July after doubts were raised about the legality of the secret ballot.

Later that month, the Legislative Council approved a $70,000 annual salary forPogue - $10,000 less than the board had requested. Pogue expressed unhappiness with the pay and said then he’d be leaving the post soon.

Pogue said last week that he recently submitted his resignation as executive director, effective June 1, or earlier if the board filled the post quickly.

In 2012, Pogue narrowly lost to state Rep. Jim Nickels, D-Sherwood. This year, Pogue is running for the House District 41 seat that Nickels must vacate in January under the state’s term-limits amendment.

The board regulates about 2,000 counselors in mental health, marriage and family therapy.