Panel split on DEP nomination
A legislative panel gave split support to Gov. Paul LePage's nomination for commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, while the Senate confirmed three Cabinet nominations.
The Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee voted yesterday 9-4 to endorse Darryl Brown as commissioner of the DEP, marking the first time a LePage nominee has not received unanimous committee support, according to the Portland Press Herald. Brown, a former state legislator, is founder of Main-Land Development Consultants, a planning company in Livermore Falls that is leading the development of the Oxford casino. Democrats raised concerns about partiality, since Main-Land Development's work includes helping developers win permits from the DEP. According to the company's website, Brown is resigning as president of the company. The Senate is expected to consider Brown's nomination tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the Senate gave unanimous support to former Husson President Bill Beardsley as commissioner of the Department of Conservation and to former commercial fisherman Norman Olsen as commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources, according to the Portland Press Herald. Philip Congdon was also approved as commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development by a vote of 26-9, with all those dissenting being Democrats. Members of the minority party questioned whether Congdon, an engineer and former Texas Instruments executive, had enough economic development experience for the post, though a legislative committee gave his nomination unanimous support last week. Congdon told the paper that the Democrats' opposition did not concern him.
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