Nixon nomination to UM curators in jeopardy

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - The nomination of a Columbia attorney to the University of Missouri Board of Curators remains uncertain as state lawmakers continue to question his gubernatorial appointment.

The Columbia Daily Tribune (http://bit.ly/z2FOK ) reports that a Senate committee has pulled Craig van Matre (MAY'-tree) from its latest list of nominees facing confirmation by the full Senate.

Van Matre was appointed in January 2011 but had to temporarily step down after the Senate didn't take up his nomination last year. Gov. Jay Nixon then reappointed him over the summer, but the curator again had to leave the board when no Senate confirmation occurred during the 2011 special legislative session.

Van Matre, a Democrat, will have to permanently step down if his nomination isn't approved by early February.

Another curator, Judy Haggard, resigned from the board last week.

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Information from: Columbia Daily Tribune, http://www.columbiatribune.com