Park City’s Special Counsel, Margaret Plane, was nominated by Governor Gary Herbert in November to the Utah Court of Appeals.
While five of Herbert’s other nominees were scheduled for hearings, Plane was not.
In a press release where Herbert announced the appointment, he said he was confident in Plane’s abilities and that she “demonstrated superior intellect and expertise.”
Republican Senator Todd Weiler is the chair of the Judicial Confirmation Committee. He tweeted late last week that the committee has “received an unusual amount of opposition to one of the candidates.” Weiler said he caucused with his colleagues and determined Plane didn’t have the support she needed for a hearing.
Weiler did not respond to KPCW’s request for an interview.
Other senators also declined to comment. Senator Lyle Hillyard, who is also on the committee said because of complicating factors he couldn’t make a statement.
Plane has served as Park City’s special counsel since March 2019. Before starting with Park City, she worked in Salt Lake City’s legal department for 12 years. She started as a senior attorney there and later became the city attorney for Salt Lake City Corporation.
The Senate has 60 days to act on Herbert's nomination before it expires.
