Kansas Senate committee recommends 10 gubernatorial nominees to full Senate after public questioning

The Kansas Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee voted unanimously on a voice vote Thursday to recommend 10 gubernatorial nominees to the full Senate after each appeared or was introduced and answered senators' questions.

The nominees covered a range of state boards and positions, including the Kansas Board of Regents, Kansas Department of Revenue property valuation director, the University of Kansas Hospital Authority and two finance-related authorities. The committee heard brief remarks from several nominees and asked questions about conflicts of interest, student affordability and recent property valuation increases.

Committee Chair Blasey opened the meeting by noting the panel’s unusual role: when the full Senate is in recess, the committee holds the constitutional power to confirm certain gubernatorial appointments. He read a list of the 10 nominees and invited those present to speak; five of the first group were reappointments who were not required to appear.

Gordon Lansford III, nominee to the University of Kansas Hospital Authority, described his background as a CPA and CEO of JE Dunn Construction Company and said he hoped his experience on payer and provider boards would “drive collaboration” to…