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Utah Senate Confirms Michael J. Cragan to State Tax Commission Amid Concerns Over Tax Experience
Summary
The Utah Senate confirmed Michael J. Cragan to the State Tax Commission 22–5–2 on Nov. 3, 2009, after committee recommendation; dissenting senators said the nominee lacked extensive tax experience and raised taxpayer-cost concerns.
The Utah State Senate on Nov. 3, 2009, consented to Governor Gary R. Herbert’s nomination of Michael J. Cragan to the Utah State Tax Commission, approving the appointment by roll call vote after a confirmation hearing and committee recommendation.
Senator Wayne Niederhauser, reporting the Revenue and Taxation Confirmation Committee’s findings, said the committee heard testimony — including from county election clerks — and became convinced that Michael J. Cragan met statutory qualifications for the post. Niederhauser said the committee recommended Cragan’s confirmation.
Senator Hilliard moved that the Senate consent to the appointment. During debate, Senator Stevenson — who said he was the lone dissenting committee member during the hearing — explained his 'no' vote, citing concerns about the commission’s composition and taxpayers’ need to have commissioners with "extensive tax background." Stevenson said his opposition was not about the nominee’s character and added, "My concern is about the makeup of the commission and the entitlement, I believe, taxpayers have when they appear before the commission to have somebody who has extensive tax background..." Senator Madsen also explained a difficult personal 'no' vote, saying she liked the nominee but did not feel she could call him qualified for the position given the technical demands.
Despite those objections, the Senate recorded the confirmation of Michael J. Cragan with 22 yea, 5 nay and 2 absent. Earlier in the session, the Senate voted to waive the statutory 15‑day waiting requirement for a supplemental communication of nominations so the body could act on an appointment submitted after the 15‑day window.
The confirmations completed the slate of gubernatorial appointments submitted for consideration at the extraordinary session.
