Carol Molnau

Gov. Pawlenty has basked in wide praise over the last 24 hours because his pick to lead MnDOT, Tom Sorel, is an actual transportation expert — not a political hack like former commissioner Carol Molnau or a PR flack like interim MnDOT head Bob McFarlin. But Sorel (pictured above with former commissioner Carol Molnau on [...]

Divisiveness and controversy have been the result of more than a few of Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s commissioner nominations over the last four years. As Rachel Stassen-Berger at the Pioneer Press’ politics blog, Political Animal, points out, not only has Pawlenty nominated some controversial characters, but once the dust settles after such a nominee, his next [...]

In a 44-22 vote by Minnesota’s state Senate today, Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau was removed from her post as Commissioner of Transportation.

The Senate declined to confirm Molnau, who has been under fire for her response to the Interstate 35W Mississippi River Bridge disaster and for subsequent media revelations about the state of MnDOT management under [...]

Will Thursday be the last day of Carol Molnau’s tenure as transportation commissioner? It appears so.

Senate Transportation Committee officials are declining comment until after Thursday morning’s Senate floor session, and TPT’s Mary Lahammer is reporting what we’ve been hearing — that Molnau’s confirmation will be on the agenda Thursday.

If so, it is likely that [...]

Lt. Governor and Transportation Commissioner Carol Molnau was not confirmed to her post by the Minnesota Senate last January, a fact that has fueled speculation that the embattled Republican may be voted down by the Minnesota Senate and removed from the commissioner’s post in a special session.  But while Molnau can be removed by the [...]

Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, who serves as commissioner of transportation, and Met Council Chair Peter Bell have recommended that “no further study” be done on adding a possible light rail extension to the new 35W bridge, a decision that’s drawing fire from pro-transit activists.

A statement issued by Laura Baenen, communications director for Central Corridor LRT, [...]

Over at Minnesota Democrats Exposed, GOP operative Michael Brodkorb attempts to fling some mud at Mike Hatch but instead ends up with dirt on his own face.  Michael notes this press-stopper:

What’s so remarkable about this ad is this: a ringleader in the effort to outlaw “conceal carry