Practicality could spare Molnau's ouster by DFLers

Senate DFL leaders are wavering on a plan to oust state Transportation Commissioner Carol Molnau, fearing the move might do more harm than good.

Though Sen. Steve Murphy, the Senate Transportation Committee chair, has vowed to use a confirmation hearing to remove Molnau because of her response to the Interstate 35W bridge collapse, he said Thursday that other leading Senate DFLers had expressed concerns that doing so might prevent DFLers from achieving larger objectives.

One theory, he said, is that a DFL-led removal of Molnau might anger House Republicans who may be needed later in the legislative session to help override a possible veto of a transportation funding bill by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican. While Senate DFLers have enough votes to override a governor's veto, House DFLers need the votes of some Republicans to do the same.

Another concern, said Murphy, is that having DFLers remove Molnau would eliminate the need for Pawlenty, who appointed her, to act. "Let him try to explain to the public why she's still there and still making these mistakes," he said.

"If we throw her out, and we're not successful in passing a veto-proof bill, then what good have we done ourselves?" said Murphy, DFL-Red Wing.

With Molnau reaffirming that she does not plan to resign, the move to hold a confirmation hearing for Molnau soon after the Legislature convenes in February now appears more uncertain. In brief comments Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller said there had been no preliminary discussions about removing Molnau from office and added that "most members of the Senate would prefer that the governor would make the appropriate decision."

Since the bridge collapse five months ago, Molnau has become emblematic to some of the problems within the Department of Transportation. In an interview Wednesday, Molnau said, "Someone is always held responsible by someone. People look at who was sitting in the chair at the time."

Since 2003, she has served as lieutenant governor and state transportation commissioner. Molnau has not been confirmed since the governor's reelection in 2006, and it is not unheard of for a state commissioner to serve without being confirmed by the Senate.

In an interview Thursday, Pawlenty described Molnau as having been "under siege," but he said he supported her.

"People don't really know yet why the bridge fell down. So before you say it's Molnau's fault that the bridge fell down, it might be helpful to know why the bridge fell down," said the governor, who said judgment should await an official finding by the National Transportation Safety Board.

There are indications that Murphy's concerns are being felt by other Senate DFLers.

"I think he does have the votes" in the Senate to oust Molnau, said Sen. Ellen Anderson, DFL-St. Paul. Anderson said she might consider using Molnau's confirmation as leverage but added that "I think we just need to make our decisions and not worry about it.

"[But] I've heard people say, well, you know, if we want to get the transportation bill passed, maybe it's not a good idea to pick that fight with the governor. But, you know, the governor's vetoed it already twice," she said. "There's a few issues where, absolutely, it would be better to not antagonize Republicans who may be allies."

Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, said he had similar concerns. "I understand," said Marty, who said he did not expect to support Molnau but could change his mind. "Senator Murphy is appropriately concerned, but his goal is to make safer roads.

"It's [also] appropriate to hold people accountable," he added. "People who never heard of Minneapolis now know we're the place where bridges collapse."

Sen. Ann Rest, DFL-New Hope, said Thursday that she had not heard of wavering on the part of Senate DFLers. "I do not intend to vote to confirm her. I think the record of the Transportation Department under her leadership is very lacking," she said. "The bridge collapse is part of an overall record."

Star Tribune staff writer Mark Brunswick contributed to this report.

Mike Kaszuba • 612-673-4388