Harrisburg – June 8, 2015 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said it is appalling that Senate Republicans opposed the nomination of Col. Marcus Brown to serve as commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police and voted against a nominee who is “exceptionally qualified and experienced.”
Brown was nominated earlier this year by Gov. Tom Wolf. Brown’s nomination was defeated by a vote of 22 to 26, with all negative votes coming from Republican members of the Senate.
“Republicans today turned aside the nomination of an exceptionally qualified and experienced law enforcement professional. It is sad that the nomination of Colonel Brown turned into a side-show where special interest groups raised petty and illusory issues so they could derail the nomination.
“My hope was that Senate members on both sides of the aisle could rise above the fake controversies, innuendo and attacks and examine Colonel Brown’s record in law enforcement. The Senate should be better than to get caught up inconsequential issues when it considers nominees to such important posts as commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police.
“In denying confirmation to Colonel Marcus Brown, the Senate did not enhance the security of the citizens of Pennsylvania and it did a disservice to all taxpayers.”
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