Senators postpone vote on NM education secretary

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A Senate panel still hasn't voted on whether to confirm Public Education Secretary Hanna Skandera to the cabinet-level position she's held the past two years.

The Senate Rules Committee members questioned Skandera for three hours during a Saturday hearing but no vote was taken.

Senate GOP Leader Stuart Ingle of Portales complained that the confirmation process was being prolonged for political purposes by Skandera's critics.

A week ago, the committee listened to seven hours of public testimony about Skandera's appointment by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.

It's possible that Skandera could continue to languish without a vote by the 42-member Senate, and that would allow her to remain on the job.

If the Senate rejects Skandera, she will be ousted from her post running the Public Education Department.