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  • Apr 23, 2008 11:09 pm US/Central
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Reality Check: Where's Carol Molnau?

Reporting
Pat Kessler
(WCCO) Minnesota got a new transportation commissioner this week, and Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he consulted with Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau before making the pick.

Molnau's been out of the public eye since February, when she was dumped from the Minnesota Department of Transportation job. So, what's she been doing?

The last time Carol Molnau issued a public statement was the day lawmakers fired her as transportation commissioner. She's still the lieutenant governor and makes nearly $80,000 a year but has no visible public duties.

It's TRUE...

Molnau was the first constitutional officer with two public jobs. However, the Minnesota Senate removed her from her transportation post nearly two months ago. So what does she do now?

"She's fulfilling all of those duties as lieutenant governor that you thought were distracting her as department of transportation commissioner," Pawlenty recently said.

IN FACT...

The governor's office said Molnau is "involved in a variety of activities ... and she is working specifically on trade, tribal... and military issues."

"We're kind of ad-hocking it," Pawlenty said at the press conference announcing the new MnDOT head. "We're looking for some special projects and things that she could do. It's kind of a work in progress."

But THAT'S NOT THE WHOLE STORY...

Molnau is not known for flying under the radar. She's an expert on transportation and agricultural issues, and is politically smart and aggressive.

Here's what you NEED TO KNOW.

Lieutenant governors have no official duties, other than succeeding the governor if there is a vacancy. For instance, next year if there's a new vice president in the White House.

That's Reality Check.

To check the resources for this Reality Check, click on the links below.
MnDOT Set On New Path
Gov. Looks For New MnDOT Head After Molnau Out
Salaries of Minnesota Officials
Minnesota Constitution Roles Of Executive Officers

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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