state + local

"The public has completely lost confidence in the leadership at MnDOT and so has the Legislature," Murphy said, standing near the LaFayette Bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Paul. ... "We have a serious problem in the state of Minnesota and we need serious people with serious answers. We need someone in there who is a professional, that knows engineering, that knows transportation and that is not Carol Molnau," said Murphy, with several other legislators standing nearby." --DFL Sen. Steve Murphy, 2007. Nothing against the Governor's new appointee or his leadership skills, but I guess the DFL has a short memory.

He should fit it well with MNDOT. A second rate bus line and second rate transportation department. What a resume builder.

Obviously the huge donations given to Dayton and other Democrats had no bearing on Dayton appointing someone who benefits fron the state now pushing mass transit over building, maintaining, and PLOWING our roads. Another corrupt move by Dayton or his handlers.

There's that Dayton giving out jobs to his rich CEO cronies... oh wait...he's a Democrat. Different set of rules. He just thinks some rich guy is better for the job because he works in this area? Cool.

Just yesterday, a report by the Itasca Project led by Zelle touted the amazing ROI of public transportation investments. Guess the writing is on the wall for which will win out on funding, our roads or the black hole of public transit. Purely a political appointment which will end up ruining our infrastructure.

His company profits by connecting rural areas via highways. How is he going to destroy infrastructure? And aren't Republicans always screaming that we need businessmen in charge, and not politicians?

An excellent choice, despite the disrespectful comments posted here. MnDOT will move forward under new leadership.

If he knows how to order the plows out, I'll back him the whole way.

Apparently 30 years with an organization and an actual degree in engineering are trumped by the ability to cut a few checks to the DFL. Thanks again, Mark.

As a transportation beancounter, this appointment impresses me very much. He has earned the job purely by his own talents... not by working 4 days a week, 40 weeks a year in government. Do people have a problem with taxpaying employers? I'd take a private CEO over a government bureaucrat every day of the week. Government needs more people like that.