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Utah Senate confirms Edwin T. Peterson as Eighth District judge and approves multiple gubernatorial appointments
Summary
In the Sept. 3, 2009 extraordinary session, the Utah Senate unanimously confirmed Edwin T. Peterson as an Eighth District Court judge (25–0, 4 absent) and consented to a package of gubernatorial appointments, including Amanda Smith as executive director of the Department of Environmental Quality.
The Utah State Senate on Sept. 3, 2009, confirmed a slate of gubernatorial appointments transmitted by Governor Gary R. Herbert, including the confirmation of Edwin T. Peterson to the Eighth District Court and the appointment of Amanda Smith to lead the Department of Environmental Quality.
The reading clerk read the governor's proclamation and the list of nominees. The Senate's judicial confirmation committee reported a favorable recommendation for Edwin T. Peterson; the full chamber voted to confirm Peterson, with the transcript recording the result as "25 yay votes, 0 nay votes, 4 being absent." The motion to consent to his appointment passed and colleagues congratulated him on the floor.
Following confirmation, Judge Edwin T. Peterson addressed the Senate. He thanked the nominating committee, the governor and his family, told senators he takes the job "very, very seriously," and pledged to uphold due process and the rights of citizens in the Eighth District.
Separately, the Senate considered a larger block of gubernatorial appointments to boards, commissions and college trustees. The reading clerk transmitted numerous names (including Cortland Ashton, Dirk Donald Keys, Bruce Tucker, Catherine B. Garff, Michael Wilstead, Scott Woodward and others). The Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Confirmation Committee reported a unanimous recommendation for Amanda Smith after an hour-long hearing; the full Senate recorded consent to the list as read.
Amanda Smith addressed the chamber after confirmation, thanking supporters and acknowledging her husband Evan Dillon seated in the gallery. She described the Department of Environmental Quality as "extremely critical to the success of the state" and expressed eagerness to work with the Senate.
The transcript records that the Senate "has consented and confirmed the appointments of the governor," and the session concluded after brief ceremonial items.
