A majority of the state Senate voted today against confirming the state transportation secretary appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee. The decision means Lynn Peterson is out as head of the state Department of Transportation after three years.

“This is about having accountability at the highest levels in state agencies. Secretary Peterson’s inability to properly manage the DOT after three years has cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. She has undermined any confidence the people had in transportation projects and simply can’t be trusted to manage the additional transportation funding approved last year,” said Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville.

Appointments by the governor are subject to confirmation by the state Senate. While an appointee may serve indefinitely without being confirmed, a vote against confirmation means the appointee may no longer serve. The Senate majority chose not to confirm Peterson’s appointment; the 21 Democrats present from the Senate minority voted in support of Inslee’s pick, in spite of a long list of problems during Peterson’s watch. Continue reading →