Mirch Appointed To Fill Omaha-Area Vacancy On Public Service Commission

From Nebraska Examiner:

By Paul Hammel

January 30, 2023

LINCOLN — Omaha attorney Christian Mirch has been appointed to fill a vacancy on the Nebraska Public Service Commission.

Mirch, a former Omaha police officer, fills the opening left when Crystal Rhoades, an Omaha Democrat, was elected in November to serve as the Douglas County Clerk of the District Court.

Gov. Jim Pillen, who made the appointment, said that Mirch, a Republican, understands the importance of infrastructure “for the future of Nebraska.”

“He will work hard to update our infrastructure so that Nebraska can continue to compete and grow in the 21st century,” Pillen said in a press release.

Mirch worked 10 years with the Omaha Police Department before earning his law degree from Creighton University School of Law. He still works part time as a police officer in a small community.

He ran unsuccessfully for the Nebraska Legislature in November, being outpolled by incumbent State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh in central Omaha’s District 6.

All five members of the PSC are now Republican after Mirch’s appointment. Commissioners are paid $75,000 a year.

The commission regulates telecommunications carriers, major oil pipelines, railroad safety, passenger carriers and grain warehouses, among its responsibilities.

Nebraskans want accountability from their elected officials and government. They want to know whether their tax dollars are being well-spent, whether state agencies and local governments are responsive to the people and whether officials, programs and policies are working for the common good. The Nebraska Examiner is a nonprofit, independent news source committed to providing news, scoops and reports important to our state.