Four defeated legislators land state appointments

(AP) - Four Republican legislators turned out by voters in November earned new assignments in state government this week from Gov. Tim Pawlenty's administration.

Former Rep. Tim Wilkin of Eagan was named an assistant commissioner of the Department of Human Services. Former Sen. Cal Larson of Fergus Falls filled a slot on a commission planning for the Minnesota's 150th anniversary of statehood in 2008. Former Sen. Carrie Ruud of Breezy Point and former Rep. Karen Klinzing of Woodbury wound up on the Judicial Selection Commission.

Wilkin's job will be to oversee compliance, technology building services and equal rights programs at the social service agency. As a legislator, he served on committees with discretion over human services issues. Away from the Capitol, Wilkin worked in the insurance industry. The job pays $101,769 a year, up from the $31,140 paid to legislators.

Agency Commissioner Cal Ludeman also added Christine Bronson as a deputy commissioner. Bronson has worked in the agency since 2003, most recently as Medicaid director. The position pays $108,388 annually.

Larson's job on the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission comes without pay. So do the Ruud and Klinzing seats on the 49-member judicial screening panel.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)