3: 30 p.m. Update  (AP) — A Kansas Senate committee has approved Gov. Sam Brownback’s three new appointees to the state Board of Regents, but a Democratic

leader questioned whether one nominee can legally serve.

Monday’s decision by the Confirmation Oversight Committee means the three can serve on the board overseeing the state’s higher education system until the full Senate considers their appointments next year.

They are Shane Bangerter, of Dodge City; Helen Van Etten, of Topeka; and Ann Murguia, of Kansas City, Kan.

Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley of Topeka, the only Democrat on the six-member Oversight Committee, questioned Bangerter’s appointment.

Kansas law says only five members of a political party can serve on the nine-member board, which already has five Republicans. Bangerter switched from the GOP to “no affiliation” in February.

 

5:00  A.M Monday  (AP) — A Kansas Senate committee is preparing to consider Gov. Sam Brownback’s appointments of three new members to the state Board of Regents. The Confirmation Oversight Committee planned to meet Monday to review the appointments of Daniel Bangerter, of Dodge City; Helen Van Etten, of Topeka; and Ann Brandau-Murguia, of Kansas City, Kan. The regents oversee the state’s higher education system.

The committee must approve the appointments for the three to serve as regents until the Legislature convenes its 2014 session in January.

Bangerter is an attorney and member of Dodge City Community College’s Board of Trustees.

Van Etten serves on the Republican National Committee and works for the Topeka school district.

Brandau-Murguia is commissioner for the Unified Government of Kansas City, Kan., and Wyandotte County.