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Senate confirms judge and multiple gubernatorial appointments; new public safety commissioner and tax commissioner noted
Summary
The Senate consented to the governor's judicial and executive appointments including Paul Parker to the Third District Court, Michael Cragan as state tax commissioner and Keith Squires as commissioner of public safety; nominees addressed the chamber and received unanimous committee recommendations.
During the special session the Utah Senate considered and consented to a slate of gubernatorial appointments transmitted by Governor Gary R. Herbert.
The governor's letters included the nomination of Paul Parker for judge of the Third District Court; the Senate's Judicial Confirmation Committee reported a favorable recommendation. The Senate consented to Parker's appointment; Parker addressed the Senate, thanked members and pledged to be a careful steward of the public trust.
Committees also reported favorable recommendations for Michael J. Cragan (reappointment as state tax commissioner), Keith D. Squires (commissioner of the Department of Public Safety), Gary R. Harder (executive director of the Department of Veterans Affairs), and other appointees to boards and university trustees. Committee chairs summarized hearings and endorsed nominees; several senators praised nominees' qualifications.
The roll-call consent to the governor's appointments was recorded as 28 yeas, 0 nays and 1 absent for the slate presented. Senators later invited nominees to address the Committee of the Whole for brief remarks. The confirmations were transmitted for enrollment and the Senate offered congratulations to the newly confirmed officials.
