Pawlenty Taps Sviggum As Final Budget Commissioner

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty has named former House Speaker Steve Sviggum to lead the state budget agency in the final days of his administration.

Sviggum takes over Dec. 2, the day Minnesota Management and Budget releases a twice-yearly forecast used as a basis for the state budget.

He is moving over from the top job at the Department of Labor and Industry, where he has served as commissioner since 2007. Sviggum's spot there will be filled by deputy commissioner Cindy Valentine.

Sviggum succeeds Commissioner Tom Hanson, whose last day at Management and Budget is Dec. 1.

Sviggum led House Republicans for eight years as speaker and six years as minority leader.

Pawlenty's final term expires Jan. 3, unless a court fight over the undecided governor's race leaves him in office longer.

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