Governor-elect Walz names five commissioners for cabinet
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Governor-elect Tim Walz rolled out his first cabinet picks, many of whom are old hands at the Capitol.
In a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Walz announced his first five commissioners. Among them, former DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher will head up the Department of Transportation. She says one of her top priorities in the next four years is putting together a comprehensive transportation package that includes raising the gas tax.
“I think the important thing to think about is it will be a package of transportation funding that is dedicated and sustainable,” said Kelliher. “And the gas tax is an important part of the tools in the tool box. It’s still one of our bigger tools to call on, and I think it’s going to take some work.”
“And I need to make the case to those legislators that it’s best for their districts whatever package we put together, and having the commissioner there and having this conversation evolve beyond gas tax, no tax - tax into a much broader discussion on a world class infrastructure for Minnesota for the next generation is much healthier,” said Walz.
Walz also names Maplewood Mayor Nora Slawik to head the Metropolitan Council. She is also a former state representative. Walz will be keeping Governor Mark Dayton’s budget director, Myron Frans, who will remain commissioner of the Department of Management and Budget.