LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Current board member Donna McDonald's term is expiring this year. With her leaving, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has chosen former Sen. Jason Rapert to fill the seat.
"I responded that I would be happy to serve at her pleasure," Rapert said.
Along with his experience in the general assembly, Rapert said he has helped get funding for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program in Faulkner County and worked with teachers and educators in Conway.
"I'm quite capable with my professional background, my political background and service in the state government to be able to serve as a board member," Rapert said.
This year, the legislature passed Act 372, which cracks down on books given to kids that are deemed obscene. Rapert wants to make sure libraries are following that law.
He also wants any library suing the state over this new law not to receive state and federal funding.
"When you turn around and sue the State of Arkansas, who is responsible for sending funding to you, that's a problem," Rapert said. "We want to make sure people are doing right."
But some say this isn't the right decision.
Republican State Sen. Bryan King said he wants to call a vote to possibly reject Sanders' appointment of Rapert.
"His past actions, and how he handles a lot of the things, I don't feel like will serve best for Arkansas moving forward with deciding on libraries," King said.
Rapert responded to King's idea and said he doesn't see an issue.
"People have their own ideas," Rapert said. "I have been good friends with a gentleman named Senator Bob Ballinger, who was a former opponent of Senator King. That may be his issue. I don't know."
The rules committee will meet next month to approve the governor's board appointments.