Kan. Senate Panel Backs Confirmation of KDOT Chief

A Kansas Senate committee is recommending that Deb Miller be confirmed as Gov. Sam Brownback’s transportation secretary.

The Transportation Committee’s unanimous voice vote Tuesday suggested that Miller will have no trouble winning confirmation from the entire Senate.

Miller already has held the job for eight years, serving under Democratic Govs. Kathleen Sebelius and Mark Parkinson. Brownback is a Republican who took office last month.

Committee Chairman and Thayer Republican Dwayne Umbarger said the panel’s members believe Miller is doing a good job running the agency. He said they were impressed by how well KDOT cleared state highways following last week’s winter storm.