The Senate signed off on two of the guv’s cabinet secretaries, his pick for a spot on the PSC and four appointments to the Elections and Ethics Commissions.
Safety and Professional Services Secretary Laura Gutierrez cleared the Senate unanimously, as did Veterans Affairs Secretary Daniel Zimmerman.
But PSC Commissioner Lon Roberts drew the opposition of Dem Sens. Tim Carpenter, Chris Larson. Carpenter, of Milwaukee, called Roberts a “great guy” and said he could handle the job. Still, he said his vote was about the PSC going “in the wrong direction” as electric rates that were once among the lowest in the Midwest are now among the highest.
He said the PSC does not represent the interest of everyday Wisconsinites.
“This is the only way I can send a message that I would like things to change,” Carpenter said.
The Senate unanimously approved the nominations of former judges Mac Davis and Timothy Van Akkeren to the Ethics Commission and former Burlington Clerk Beverly Gill and former Sheboygan County Clerk Julie Glancey to the Elections Commission.
Gill and Vanakkeren’s appointments are through 2019, while Glancey and Davis’ go through 2021.
