JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Three of Gov. Jay Nixon's appointees are facing trouble winning approval from Missouri's Republican-led Senate.

Nixon appointed the former Democratic officials to state positions last year while the Legislature was out of session. That meant they could start work immediately, but their appointments will be void unless the Senate confirms them within the first 30 days of the 2010 session.

At issue are the appointments of former Democratic Party Chairman John Temporiti to the Missouri Housing Development Commission; former House member Bill Ransdall to the State Tax Commission; and former House member Phil Smith to the Administrative Hearing Commission.

Confirmation of the two ex-lawmakers was stalled Thursday by Republican Sen. Jason Crowell. Temporiti hasn't been scheduled for a confirmation hearing.