State Senate shoots down two governor appointments

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For the first time in many years, the State Senate has failed to confirm two appointments by Governor Matt Mead. 

The Senate voted no on Wyoming Public Service Appointees William Russell and Kara Brighton after Senator Cale Case complained that they appear to be unqualified attorneys.  He’d like to see economists and others considered.

“Since 2005, no one has appointed anyone other than a lawyer to the Public Service Commission,” says Case. “The last non-lawyer to serve on the Public Service Commission left the Commission in 2008.  So with these two appointments today, we’ve had five appointments in a row who are lawyers.”

Some Senators argued support for Brighton, but, in the end, voted not to confirm the candidates. 

The governor will have to submit two more names of people who will serve until the Senate considers them next year.