ST. PAUL -- A group of Democratic lawmakers want Transportation Commissioner Carol Molnau to resign, but Gov. Tim Pawlenty's office said Minnesota's top transportation official will not be fired.
Many Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party legislators long have been critical of top officials at the Department of Transportation, but Wednesday was the first time they raised their criticism to the point of seeking Molnau's resignation. She also is Republican Pawlenty's lieutenant governor.
Standing near a busy St. Paul bridge with structural problems, Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Steve Murphy and five other DFL lawmakers said Molnau has done a poor job of managing her agency, particularly since the Minneapolis Interstate 35W bridge collapse Aug. 1. The Red Wing Democrat cited cash-flow problems, delayed road and bridge projects, lack of staffing in some key areas and Molnau's support for allowing heavier trucks on the state's roads.
Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said Democrats were delivering "personal attacks" rather than offering to compromise on a transportation funding plan. McClung credited Molnau with working through "significant and difficult issues" atop an agency that attracts a lot of public attention.
"She has done some real tough work over there and we continue to believe that she should continue to have the opportunity to do that," McClung said.
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Even if Molnau doesn't resign, Murphy said that he will bring her appointment up to a full Senate vote next year. He said there are enough votes to kick her out of the commissioner's job.
The full Senate did not take up her confirmation this year. A confirmation battle could have strained transportation negotiations between Pawlenty and the Legislature, Murphy said.
If the Senate rejects her appointment, she would have to give up the commissioner's job, to which Pawlenty appointed her. That would not affect her elected job as lieutenant governor, which traditionally is a ceremonial position.
