Appointment of former mayor Brian Treece to state transportation commission passes first lawmaker hurdle

Former Columbia Mayor Brian Treece is a step closer to Missouri lawmaker approval of his appointment to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission.

Appointed to the commission in August by Gov. Mike Parson, Treece still needs Senate approval. He passed the first hurdle Wednesday during a hearing of the Gubernatorial Appointments Committee, chaired by State Sen. Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia. Rowden also served as the sponsoring Senator for Treece's nomination at the committee.

More: Former Mayor Brian Treece appointed to State Highways and Transportation Commission

After the committee approved Treece's appointment, it now goes to the full Missouri Senate for a vote.

The commission is comprised of six members who together govern the Missouri Department of Transportation. Warren K. Erdman, of Kansas City, also was appointed to the Highways and Transportation Commission.

No more than three members can be of the same political party. Treece is a Democrat, while Erdman is a Republican. Both of their terms are slated to run through March 1, 2027.

Sen. Jason Bean, R-Southeast Missouri, wanted to know if Treece would put importance on rural routes in Missouri since he comes from a more populous community.

"What is important with our rural roads and lettered routes is the connectivity we create. Both with commodities and intermodalities with ports, roads and also getting commodities to our urban areas as well," Treece said. "One of the best things we have done is change the funding formula and as we put more money into that funnel, we'll see more money trickle out into rural areas."

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Brian Treece awaits Missouri Senate approval to transportation commission