MADISON - The state Senate is moving forward with the confirmation of Gov. Tony Evers' pick to lead the state transportation agency more than two years after the governor made the appointment.
Republicans in the Senate have held off on confirming a handful of Evers' appointments, in some cases creating political leverage because once cabinet secretaries are confirmed they cannot be removed by the Legislature. At one point, Republican senators fired Evers' pick for agriculture secretary on the governor's birthday.
That ousted ag secretary, now Sen. Brad Pfaff, was on hand for Thompson's new confirmation hearing Wednesday. It's Thompson's second because the first committee vote to approve the confirmation essentially expired with the conclusion of the last legislative session.