Pawlenty aide's appointment to college board in doubt
(AP) - A commissioner and confidant to Gov. Tim Pawlenty is in danger of losing his second job - a seat on the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees.
A Senate committee on Friday withheld its endorsement of Dan McElroy to continue serving on the public college system's 15-member governing board, questioning his ability to hold two key posts at once. He said he will press ahead.
It spells trouble for him when the full Senate votes on the confirmation. McElroy's standing could also wind up as an end-of-session bargaining chip.
McElroy, an ex-GOP legislator, is the commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development and a former chief of staff to the Republican governor.
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Last summer, Pawlenty tapped McElroy for a spot on the 15-member MnSCU board. The position is unpaid, but trustees serve critical roles in setting MnSCU policies and tuition.
DFL members of the Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division voiced concerns that McElroy's dual roles leaves him with potential conflicts.
"Where is your first responsibility? Where do your loyalties lie?" asked committee chairwoman Sandy Pappas of St. Paul. "We're seeing in this administration a lot of double duty."
He argued the assignments go hand in hand because both are focused on work force development.
"I'm convinced the benefits of the synergies outweigh the risks of the overlaps," he said.
No one questioned McElroy's core qualifications. Sen. Geoff Michel, R-Edina, came to McElroy's defense.
"This is clearly a smart and talented man. This is one of the brightest guys in the building," Michel said, arguing that the coordination of his two jobs are an asset.
Earlier this year, the Legislature removed Peter Bell from the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. Like McElroy, Bell was selected by Pawlenty to lead another government agency, the Metropolitan Council.
McElroy's principal assignment as commissioner of the economic development agency hasn't been acted on by the full Senate either.
Gubernatorial appointees can serve while their Senate confirmations are being considered. Votes on appointments are sometimes delayed for years. If appointments are rejected in a direct vote, the officials are disqualified from their post.
Two years ago, the DFL-led Senate fired Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke, a symbol of a poisonous relationship at the time between Capitol Republicans and Democrats.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
