Maine Senate approves Baldacci nominees

AUGUSTA, Maine—As Gov. John Baldacci set aside a couple of potentially divisive selections, the Maine Senate routinely approved the remaining roster of gubernatorial nominees at a confirmation session Wednesday.

Among those confirmed were six nominees for the newly created state Board of Corrections, which will coordinate purchasing, transportation and space management between Maine's county jails and the state's prison system.

Also approved were three nominees for the newly expanded board that oversees the state's 5-year-old Dirigo health insurance program.

The most prominent nominations up for Senate votes were Ryan Low, Baldacci's deputy chief of staff, for the position of commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, and Jack Cashman, a top Baldacci aide, to the Public Utilities Commission.

Both were confirmed 33-0.

Prior to Wednesday's Senate session, the nomination of former GOP lawmaker Judy Foss of Yarmouth for the Dirigo board was withdrawn because of scheduling problems.

On Tuesday, the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee declined to endorse Maine Women's Lobby board chair Kimm Collins of Falmouth for the corrections board after opponents said she lacked experience for the post. At the same time, the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry voted against Deborah Aldridge of Jonesboro for the Pesticides Control Board.

On Wednesday, the Collins and Aldridge nominations were withdrawn.

A Senate vote of two-thirds or better would be needed to override a committee recommendation.

The Legislature's Utilities and Energy Committee had endorsed Cashman's nomination to the PUC by an 11-2 vote.

Cashman is a former legislator from Old Town who has served on Baldacci's office staff and for a time headed the state Department of Economic and Community Development.

The opening on the three-member PUC was created by the departure of its chairman, Kurt Adams, to work for a national wind development company.