Senators endorse Judge Horatio Wheelock for Public Employees Retirement Board

The Legislature advanced the governor’s nomination of Judge Horatio Wheelock to the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Board after the Retirement Systems Committee reported favorably on the appointment.

Senator Ballard, who opened the floor presentation, said Wheelock ‘‘demonstrated a keen understanding of the role of the PERT board and managing the state retirement plan’’ during a March 9 confirmation hearing and urged colleagues to support the appointment. Ballard outlined Wheelock’s career, noting his J.D. from Creighton University School of Law and years of service as a district court judge in the 4th Judicial District.

Senator John Kavanaugh added that he has ‘‘known him for a long time’’ and described Wheelock as ‘‘a very reasonable, intelligent person’’ who would be a ‘‘great addition to the retirement board.’’ The Retirement Systems Committee voted unanimously to move the appointment to the floor.

A roll-call on the committee report recorded 35 ayes and no nays, and the committee report was adopted. No formal objections were recorded during floor debate.

The advancement puts Wheelock’s appointment on the next steps of legislative processing for confirmation to the Public Employees Retirement Board.