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Walz announces departure of state’s longest-serving budget commissioner [1]

['Michelle Griffith', 'More From Author', '- July']

Date: 2023-07

Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday announced that Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Jim Schowalter is stepping down effective Aug. 14.

In a statement, Schowalter said he would “start a new chapter” after finishing this year’s budget cycle, which saw a record $17.5 billion surplus.

“I couldn’t imagine a more important role or time to serve the state than these past three years,” Schowalter said.

Minnesota Management and Budget oversees state spending — more than $71 billion during the next two years — and directs personnel functions for state government’s tens of thousands of workers.

Schowalter previously served in the same role under DFL Gov. Mark Dayton, and Walz reappointed him to the position in 2020. Across the two appointments, Schowalter is Minnesota’s longest-serving MMB commissioner, according to a release from the governor’s office.

In between his stints at MMB, Schowalter was CEO of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans — an insurance industry trade group — and senior vice president at HealthPartners, the insurance and health provider.

Walz said he was thankful for Schowalter’s leadership.

“Under his direction, the team at MMB has stabilized the state budget, allowing us to invest the state’s historic budget surplus on the things that matter most to Minnesotans: our children and families, a strong economic future, health and safety and a state government that works for all Minnesotans,” Walz said in the release.

Walz appointed Deputy Commissioner Erin Campbell to take Schowalter’s place. Campbell has worked for the state government for nearly 20 years, including overseeing the restoration and grand opening of the state Capitol building.

Since July 2022, Campbell has served as MMB’s deputy commissioner for enterprise employee resources where her duties include improving employee retention and experience. Campbell will start as commissioner on Aug. 15.

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[1] Url: https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/walz-announces-departure-of-states-longest-serving-budget-commissioner/

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