CHRISTIANSTED – Senator Alicia Barnes said that she is pleased to announce that the 33rd Legislature’s Committee on Rules and Judiciary is in receipt of the names of the nominees from the Office of the Governor.
So far Barnes said she has received candidate names for: Commissioner of Education, Commissioner of Tourism, Commissioner of Finance, Commissioner of Health, Director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Commissioner of Labor, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Planning and Natural Resources, Commissioner of Public Works, and Commissioner of Property and Procurement.
“As this matter is now before the Committee on Rules and Judiciary, each nominee will be required to complete a detailed questionnaire and be subject to a background investigation to begin the confirmation process,” Barnes said.
Upon favorable completion of both the questionnaire and background check, confirmation hearings will be scheduled.
Barnes said that while it is within Bryan’s authority to nominate persons whom he wishes to serve in his cabinet, the Legislature, as a separate and co-equal branch of government, is mandated to evaluate each nominee based on qualifications and suitability for the position in which they have been nominated to serve.
Here is a list of the cabinet-level positions that have been submitted by Bryan to Barnes.
Racquel Berry-Benjamin – Commissioner of Education
Joseph Boschulte- Commissioner of Tourism
Kirk Callwood Sr. – Commissioner of Finance
Justa Encarnacion – Commissioner of Health
Joel Lee – Director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue
Barbara Jackson McIntosh – Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Gary Molloy – Commissioner of Labor
Positive T.A. Nelson – Commissioner of Agriculture
Jean – Pierre Oriol – Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources
Nelson Petty Jr. – Commissioner of Public Works
Anthony Thomas – Commissioner of Property and Procurement
The freshman senator said she “congratulates the nominees and looks forward to conducting a comprehensive, transparent, and expeditious confirmation process.”
