LINCOLN — The governor’s pick to lead the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has advanced to the floor of the Legislature.

One month ago, DHHS CEO Steve Corsi’s confirmation hearing devolved at times from agency goals to talks of his social media activity, circulating around religion, sin and more. While repeatedly pushing back on questions from State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, Corsi sought to describe his philosophy toward public service and his goals.

Those include improving DHHS’s timeliness and quality of economic assistance processing, continuing to overhaul the state foster care system and creating more early childhood education.

“We will focus not only on meeting the immediate needs of Nebraskans but also assisting Nebraskans as they move toward self-sufficiency,” Corsi told the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee on Feb. 8.

The committee voted 4-2 Thursday to recommend Corsi’s appointment to the full Legislature, with one senator present and not voting. A majority of the Legislature must vote to confirm Corsi.

Gov. Jim Pillen’s office defended Corsi’s nomination in light of questions asked at his confirmation hearing.

State Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering asked the committee’s legal staff to look into legal allegations about Corsi that Cavanaugh had shared. Hardin wanted staff to “turn over some rocks and some leaves and take a look at what was underneath” because charges are one thing, he said, and convictions are another.

“There were no convictions in the course of any of what he was accused of,” Hardin told the Nebraska Examiner.

State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, HHS Committee chair, said it’s important to vet candidates, particularly on legal issues, because he doesn’t want to miss something. He said Thursday he remains satisfied with Corsi.

Hardin said he’s encouraged by Corsi’s leadership and appreciates what he’s brought to DHHS.

State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston said he voted yes to “give the governor his person.”

“I’m not inclined to try to second-guess the executive branch,” Riepe said after the vote.

State Sen. Jen Day of Omaha and Cavanaugh, who have opposed the nomination, did not address controversies they raised before the vote.

Cavanaugh had no immediate comment on the committee vote.

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