ST.PAUL, Minn. – Governor Tim Walz picked one of the Legislature’s top tax experts, Paul Marquardt, of Dilworth, as his chief tax collector. Marquardt. a Democrat, had been the House Taxes Committee chair. He did not seek re-election to a 12th term in November. As state revenue commissioner, Marquardt will be on Walz cabinet of agency heads. Walz, a Democrat, also announced other cabinet choices:
> Public safety. Bob Jacobson, a former New Brighton police chief, to replace John Harrington.
> Education. Willie Jett, former St. Cloud schools, to education commissioner to replace Heather Mueller, on whose watch a $250 million fraud occurred in an emergency child nutrition program. Mueller how teaches educational leadership t at the University of Minnesota.
>Health. Brooke Cunningham, who led equity projects at the state Health Department, to to replace Jan Malcolm.
> Labor. Nicole Blissbach, temporary head of the state Labor Department.
> Iron Rage rehab. Ida Rukavina, executive director of the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools, to head the Iron Range economic development agency. She’s the daughter of powerful Range legislator Tom Rukavina, who died in 2019.
Gubernatorial appointments require confirmation by the Minnesota Senate. Democrats hold the majority.