Governor Bentley weighs options on State board nominees

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — An aide to Governor Robert Bentley says the administration will continue to explore its options after lawmakers adjourned Monday without acting on 70 nominees to various state boards. Jennifer Ardis, a spokeswoman in the governor's office, said the administration is worried that some boards may not have enough qualified members to do business. Many of the boards, however, allow sitting members to continue serving until their replacement are confirmed. Bentley sidestepped the Legislature this week by reappointing three of his choices for the Alabama State University's board of trustees. He made the recess appointments so that Jacqueline Brooks, Larry Thornton and Robert Gilpin can serve now, rather than leave three empty seats on the board. The trio will be up for confirmation again when lawmakers convene for their 2014 session.