Grand Canyon Times

Despite recent tensions between the Arizona Governor and the State Senate, President Warren Petersen has affirmed that the Senate will maintain its current confirmation process for state agency directors. This statement comes after a letter was received threatening to bypass the established procedure.

President Petersen emphasized the Senate's role as a constitutional check on the Governor's appointments. He assured that the Senate Committee on Director Nominations is prepared to resume hearings and continue vetting nominees for state agency leadership positions.

Arizona law stipulates that agency directors must be nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. According to A.R.S. 38-211, "the governor shall nominate and with the consent of the senate appoint such officer." The law also states that these directors can only serve one year without confirmation from the Senate.

"This move by the Executive Branch showcases another prime example of an elected official who believes they're above the law," said President Petersen. He highlighted concerns about legality if unconfirmed individuals make decisions in state agencies.

The Committee on Director Nominations aims to protect Arizonans from "government overreach and tyranny from unelected bureaucrats," according to Petersen. He noted that through their process, competent candidates have been confirmed while others have been rejected.

President Petersen concluded by expressing readiness to receive new nominations, stating that competent and non-partisan candidates would likely be confirmed without issue.