By RYAN McCarthy
KU Statehouse Wire Service

TOPEKA — It did not take much time for two Gov. Sam Brownback appointees to be confirmed by a Senate committee.

A week after the governor’s appointment, Sen. Pat Apple, R-Louisburg, was approved Monday by the Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee to become the next commissioner of the Kansas Corporation Commission.

“It is humbling and an honor to be appointed by Gov. Brownback to this place in the state government that touches every Kansan,” Apple said.

The Kansas Corporation Commission regulates rates, services and safety of public utilities, oil and gas production, and other energy-related programs in the state.

Before being picked for KCC commissioner, Apple was a member of its oversight committee, and has been a senator since 2005.

One of his former colleagues on the panel, Sen. Robert Olson, R-Olathe, expressed his support of Apple as the new commissioner.

“All the years I served, you’ve been one of the more fair guys in this building,” Olson said. “I know you’re going to work hard for our citizens and make sure everyone is treated fair.”

If confirmed by the entire Senate body, Apple would replace Thomas Wright. His term as KCC Commissioner expired March 15.

Apple will serve a four-year term that will expire in 2018.

The second confirmation of the day was David Dillon as a member of the University of Kansas Hospital Authority.

Dillon, the CEO of The Kroger Company, said he will be moving back to the Kansas City area after his retirement from the business. Dillon has lived in Ohio for the past 18 years.

Dillon has been the CEO of Kroger and the subsidiaries such as Dillon’s grocery stores for 11 years. He already retired as CEO, but is Chairman of the company until the end of the year.

“To have any opportunity to give back to the state of Kansas is an honor and I look forward to doing it,” Dillon said.

Dillon said he has served as a board member for several other companies, including DirecTV, Kroger, and recently he joined the Union Pacific Railroad board.

During the selection process, an issue of discussion was Dillon’s association with Uncork Kansas, which currently is looking to eliminate the state’s liquor law that would allow consumers to decide where to buy alcohol.

Dillon said he has advocated for the bill and has talked to several members of the legislature about the topic of liquor laws, but thought it should be separate from his appointment as a member of the University of Kansas Hospital Authority.

There were three other reappointments on the docket, which were all confirmed.

In the final piece of business the members discussed Apple’s departure from the Senate body.

The committee wanted to be sure Apple’s resignation and then swearing in as KCC commissioner would happen before adjournment of the session.

Ryan McCarthy is a University of Kansas senior from Lenexa majoring in journalism.