The state Senate on Monday approved two of Gov. Phil Murphy’s nominees to the Board of Public Utilities — leaving his imprint on the influential regulator before he leaves office, while undermining a state law meant to prevent the board being stacked with members of a single political party.
The Senate approved Emma Rebhorn 36 to 3 and Joseph Coviello 39 to 0 to the board. Rebhorn is close to the Laborers’ union while Coviello is close to Senate President Nick Scutari.
Under state law, the five-member board is supposed to not have more than three members of the same political party. Prior to Monday, two of the three BPU members were registered Democrats.
Rebhorn is a registered Democrat. Coviello was also a Democrat, until he changed his party affiliation to independent shortly before his nomination to the board. Both being confirmed means that four members of the five-member board either are or were recently Democrats.
