Legislators on Friday rejected two of Governor Parnell’s appointments to governmental services while approving seventy two others – named to fill vacancies on Boards and Commissions as well as top-level cabinet jobs. Among those receiving legislative approval were Daniel Sullivan as Attorney General, Thomas Katkus to head the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, and Larry Hartig – the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation – as the designee to fill the Lieutenant Governor’s office if a vacancy should occur.
The most opposition arose over the appointment of the Executive Director of the Pregnancy Resource Center in Fairbanks to fill a position on the Board of Nursing, Statutes require that the position be filled by an individual with recent work experience as a nurse. By a vote of thirty-four to twenty four, Nancy Bienvenue was rejected – with most of the debate centering on whether she met the statutory requirements for the job. Opponents pointed out that, although Bienvenue was trained as a nurse, she has not worked as one since 1993. Statutes clearly require she would have needed to work for four years prior to meeting the qualifications. Wrangell Republican Peggy Wilson – herself a nurse – agreed with the opposition
The other appointee rejected by the Joint Session was Al Barrette, the Governor’s pick for an appointment to the Board of Game.
Dave Donaldson APRN – Juneau
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