Iowa Senate confirms 113 Branstad appointments

SENATE CONFIRMATIONS: The Iowa Senate voted Monday to confirm 113 of Gov. Terry Branstad's appointments to state boards, commissions and executive positions. Senators voted 47-2 to confirm Paul Trombino III as director of the state Department of Transportation and 49-0 to approve Kathleen Fehrman and Charese Yanney to the state Transportation Commission. In other affirmative votes, the Senate confirmed Kristin Johnson as director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission; Donna Mueller as chief executive officer of the IPERS system and Phyllis Peterson to continue on the IPERS Investment Board; Richard Arnold to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission; Mary Junge Iowa Lottery Authority Board of Directors; Kimberly Kudej Iowa Council on Human Services; Diane Cortese and Dr. Ronald Kolegraff to the Iowa Board of Medicine; Susan Lerdal to the Iowa Board of Parole; and Mary Gannon and former state Rep. James Van Fossen to the Iowa Public Employment Relations Board. Gubernatorial nominees must receive at least 34 affirmative votes from senators to achieve the two-thirds majority required for confirmation by the Iowa Senate. All but seven of Monday's appointments were approved by a 48-1 "en bloc" vote.

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