Outgoing Gov. Tim Pawlenty last week named Steve Sviggum to serve as the state’s top fiscal officer, replacing Tom Hanson as commissioner of the Minnesota Management and Budget office in the last days of the Republican governor’s administration.
Hanson recently announced his intention to leave the MMB post he has held since 2006 to take a position in the legislative and regulatory group at the law firm Winthrop & Weinstine.
Sviggum has served in Pawlenty’s administration since 2007 as commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry. He previously spent 29 years in the state House, including four terms as speaker. The appointment takes effect this week.
“Steve has a wealth of government experience that will provide steady leadership at MMB as we conclude our work and prepare to transition to a new administration,” Pawlenty said in a statement.
Democratic contender Mark Dayton won the November election for governor over Republican Tom Emmer by a slim margin, triggering an automatic recount that began this week.
