		The Information you need!
		Search Archive:
	Login \| Contact Us \| Site Map \| Archives \| Photos \| Alerts Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Entertainment

Print this story | Email this story |

Comment (No comments posted.) |

Rate |

Text Size

Senate plays role in some executive appointments

By Sen. Carl Vogel

Published: Monday, November 16, 2009 4:47 AM CST

Over the past several weeks we have seen vacancies occur in the Missouri Senate and House of Representatives. When this happens, they must be filled by a special election called by the governor.

Vacancies also occur in the top positions of the executive branch. These are filled by a selection of the governor, or in some cases, a commission. Some appointments require Senate approval. If the appointment is made when the Legislature is not in session, the individual serves until the Senate convenes in January. At this point, they must either be confirmed or withdrawn.

Recently, there have been several vacancies and subsequent appointments at the department and division levels.

Katie Steele Danner was named director of Division of Tourism. She had most recently served as deputy director of Department of Economic Development. Danner also served in the Clinton administration and was a state representative from northeast Missouri. Her husband is Adjutant General Steve Danner with the Missouri National Guard. The Division of Tourism is run by a commission whose members are appointed by the governor. As such, appointment of a new director does not usually happen until the governor has a chance to name new members to the commission.

Bill Miller was named State Personnel Director. The Division of Personnel is responsible for overseeing the human resources management of Missouri government. Miller will begin his job in December. This appointment is subject to Senate approval, so he must be confirmed by the entire Senate in January.

The new director of Department of Revenue has been on the job a little less than four weeks. The previous director was named to the Western District Court of Appeals. Alana Barragan-Scott had been deputy director and Governor Nixon promoted her to director. A lawyer, Barragan-Scott spent most of the last sixteen years working for then Attorney General Jay Nixon before going back to Department of Revenue. This appointment is also subject to Senate confirmation.

Bob Ziehmer will take over as director of Missouri Department of Conservation on Jan. 15. Since this selection is made by the members of the Missouri Conservation Commission, it is not subject to Senate confirmation. Ziehmer has been with the department since 1991.

Larry Jansen, Missouri Lottery director announced his resignation this week. He has been with the Lottery for 24 years and its director for the past four years. His replacement will be chosen by the members of the Lottery Commission.

Such movement is not unusual. Elected officials like to have their own team in place to help them govern. Because changes are constantly occurring due to elections, people rarely look at department or division appointments as a lifelong career or commitment.

As usual, I can be reached at State Senate, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 65101 or 573-751-2076, or carl_vogel@senate. mo.gov for your questions, comments, or advice.

State Sen. Carl Vogel, R-Jefferson City, represents Missouri's 6th District.


Nixon bucks freshman trend of calling a special session		OUR OPINION: Self-interest and ethical behavior

Article Rating

Before commenting read the News Tribune Forum's policies and procedures.
Thanks.

To add your comments you must be registered and logged in

*Member ID:
*Password:

Do not use usernames or passwords from your financial accounts!

Note: Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required!

*Create a Member ID:
*Choose a password:
*Re-enter password:
*E-mail Address:
*Year of Birth:
	(children under 13 cannot register)
*First Name:
*Last Name:
Company:
*Home Phone:
Business Phone:
*Address:
*City:
*State:
*Zip Code:

Return to: Opinion « | Home « | Top of Page ^

Online Poll