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Senate swiftly confirms James T. Blanche and several gubernatorial appointments, incl. higher education commissioner
Summary
The Utah Senate confirmed James T. Blanche to the Third District Court by voice and roll-call (27–0, 2 absent) and approved a substantial list of gubernatorial appointees—among them David L. Bueller as commissioner of higher education—by unanimous or near-unanimous votes during the extraordinary session called in August 2012.
The Utah State Senate used its extraordinary August 2012 session to confirm multiple gubernatorial appointments, including James T. Blanche to the Third District Court and David L. Bueller as commissioner of higher education.
A June 19, 2012 letter from Gov. Gary R. Herbert transmitted Blanche's nomination under Article 8, Section 8 of the Utah Constitution and Utah Code §78A-10-101. Senator Jenkins moved to approve the appointment; supporters praised Blanche's long legal career and public service. The Senate recorded the confirmation as 27 yeas, 0 nays, with 2 absent and transmitted the appointment accordingly. Blanche addressed the Senate, thanked the governor, and pledged to serve impartially: "I will decide the cases that come before me promptly, fairly, without fear or favor, according to the facts and the law."
The governor also transmitted a broad set of appointments in a July 31, 2012 letter to the Senate, proposing members for the real estate commission, health data committee, state board of regents, Dixie State College board of trustees, state records committee, radiation control board, Utah Arts Council, board of business and economic development, and others. The Senate Education Confirmation Committee reported favorably on David L. Bueller as commissioner of higher education and Marlon K. Jensen to the State Board of Regents. Senators speaking in support of Bueller noted his experience and urged confirmation.
The full Senate approved a batch of appointments presented that day; the roll-call recorded for the package showed 26 yays, 0 nays, 3 absent for the named set of confirmations. Several nominees, including Blanche and those for education posts, were invited to the podium to introduce family and thank the Senate.
Next steps: Confirmed nominees will assume their respective offices according to the governor's appointment process and applicable law. The session concluded after the Senate dissolved the Committee of the Whole and adjourned.
