The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services has postponed Friday's planned confirmation hearing for Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Edward Ehlinger.

Committee chairman Sen. David Hann had expressed concerns about Ehlinger's handling of the job, and the confirmation hearing could have been contentious. The last time the Senate scrutinized one of Dayton's appointees, Ellen Anderson lost her seat on the Public Utilities Commission.

In a statement Friday, the governor welcomed the announcement that Ehlinger's hearing has been postponed – probably permanently. "I am deeply grateful to Senator Hann for his very gracious willingness to postpone Commissioner Ehlinger's confirmation hearing," Dayton said in a statement. "It is a responsible and commendable resolution, for which he deserves full credit."