ST PAUL, Minn. — After the Republican-controlled Minnesota Senate opened a fight that could lead to the firing of one or more of Democratic Gov. Tim Walz’s Cabinet members, one of those members has decided to resign.
Senate Republican leaders extended the special session last week after they finished a $52 billion, two-year budget. The move lets them wield their chamber’s authority to confirm or reject the governor’s appointments after a contentious several months of battles over budget, policy and COVID-19 restrictions.
GOP Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka indicates that the special session will continue at least through Wednesday, when the key votes are expected. Among those under the microscope was Laura Bishop, commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
According to a Tuesday afternoon press release from Walz's office, Bishop chose to resign after Senate Republican leaders told the Governor that Bishop’s appointment would not be confirmed.
Walz's office said that MPCA Deputy Commissioner Peter Tester will serve as Temporary Commissioner of the agency.
Walz said Bishop's departure is a "loss" for Minnesotans who believe in science and climate change.
“I am extremely disappointed in the Republicans in the Senate who are choosing to use taxpayer dollars to play partisan games and try to politicize an agency charged with protecting Minnesotans from pollution because they refuse to acknowledge the science of climate change," he wrote in the release.
Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka issued a video statement on Facebook Tuesday afternoon outlining what he says were his caucus's concerns over Bishop, and her handling of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Gazelka cited several issues during his statement, among them Bishop's support for a Michigan lawsuit against the taconite industry and a farming regulation that would have made it more difficult to spread manure in the fall - in his eyes respectively hurting northern Minnesota steel workers and farmers.
Also at issue with members of the GOP caucus was Bishop's support for electric car mandates that in his view forced Minnesotans to buy more electric cars.
"These weren't through the legislative process, this was her jamming them through, through rulemaking or other means," Gazelka said.
As for other Cabinet members, IRRRB Commissioner Mark Phillips has been confirmed. Votes are still set for Wednesday on Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho and DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen.
Bishop said she plans to continue her environmental work in Minnesota.
"I will not allow the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to be politicized," Bishop said in the release. "The work is too important."