JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Senate committee charged with considering gubernatorial appointments got down to business on Wednesday, starting the process of vetting Gov. Mike Parson’s interim appointees.
The Senate Committee on Gubernatorial Appointments, chaired by Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, held a public hearing for nearly two dozen Missourians appointed to various boards and commission while the legislature was not is session.
The Senate has 30 days from the start of session to confirm all appointments made in the interim. The committee gave unanimous approval to all appointees they vetted on Wednesday morning, sending them to the Senate floor of confirmation.
Of those before the committee, Schatz intently questioned the three appointment to the Missouri State Board of Nursing and the Director of the Department of Natural Resources was in the hot seat for two back-to-back appointments.
Carol S. Comer, who has headed the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for roughly two years, was appointed by Parson to the Interstate Mining Commission and the Midwest Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact Commission.
“I never seen anything like this before,” said Sen. Jamilah Nasheed. She raised the question on why Comer was appointed to the two commissions back-to-back.
Comer noted that it is custom for the natural resources director to sit on the Interstate Mining Commission. She noted that the Midwest Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact Commission was a “relic of the 80s” and only meets once a year.
Larry J. Lehman will also serve as a member of the Interstate Mining Commission and Tiffany Drake will serve as an alternate member of the Midwest Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact Commission.
Robert P. Walsh, Shelia Barrett Ray, and Julie A. Miller were all appointed to the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
Jon M. Kempker was appointed to the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board. James Leo Gray, III, was appointed to the State Board of Pharmacy.
Randy Huffman, Republican, was appointed to serve as Commissioner of the Sullivan County Western District and Stephanie Gooden, Republican, was appointed to serve as Commissioner of the Saline County Northern District.
Jerrod L. Hogan was appointed to the Missouri Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors, and Professional Landscape Architects.
Linda J. Scorse was appointed to the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board. Maynard “Bill” Jones was reappointed to the board.
Timothy D. Larson was appointed to the Missouri Dental Board.
Leroy C. Tieman was appointed to the Missouri Western State University Board of Governors. Andrew T. Moore was appointed to the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors.
Robert J. Whelan was appointed to the Missouri State Board of Accountancy. Phillip L. Slinkard was reappointed to the board.
Alisha Shurr was a reporter for The Missouri Times and The Missouri Times Magazine. She joined The Missouri Times in January 2018 after working as a copy editor for her hometown newspaper in Southern Oregon. Alisha is a graduate of Kansas State University.
