Governor of Minnesota

Powers and qualifications

Similar to the U.S. president, the governor has veto power over bills passed by the Minnesota State Legislature. As in most states, but unlike the U.S. president, the governor can also make line-item vetoes, where specific provisions in bills can be stripped out while allowing the overall bill to be signed into law.

The governor of Minnesota must be 25 years old upon assuming office, and must have been a Minnesota resident for one year before the election.

Since a 1958 amendment to the Minnesota Constitution, governors are elected to four-year terms, with no limits on the number of terms they may serve.

Cabinet

The governor has a cabinet consisting of the leaders of various state departments. The governor appoints these department heads, who, other than the head of the Department of Military Affairs and the chairs of the Metropolitan Council and the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, are called commissioners. Cabinet members include:

Residence

Main article: Minnesota Governor's Residence

The Minnesota Governor's Residence is located in Saint Paul, at 1006 Summit Avenue.

Succession

Main article: Gubernatorial lines of succession in the United States#Minnesota

The line of succession for the Governor is established by Article V, Section 5 of the Minnesota Constitution and Minnesota Statute 4.06.

Traditions

Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener

The Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener is a tradition that dates back to 1948. The event was designed to promote the development of Minnesota's recreation industry. The Governor goes to a selected lake in Minnesota to fish on the opening weekend of the fishing season.

Timeline

Notes

References

References

1. "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries". The Council of State Governments.
2. "1957 Session Laws".
3. "The Green Papers: Minnesota 2006 Midterm Election". Richard E. Berg-Andersson, Research and Commentary.
4. "Governor's Cabinet".
5. [https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-514810 Governor Walz Selects Tamar Gronvall to Serve as Commissioner of Administration], 18 Sept, 2023 press release. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024
6. Alex Perez, [https://imprintnews.org/top-stories/minnesota-names-tikki-brown-its-first-commissioner-for-children-youth-and-families/249112 Minnesota Names Tikki Brown its First Commissioner for Children, Youth and Families], 1 May 2024, The Imprint. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024
7. [https://mn.gov/commerce/about/leadership/ Minnesota Commerce Department, Leadership Team] Accessed 8 Nov. 2024
8. [https://mn.gov/doc/about/agency-background-history/organization/ DOC Executive Leadership Team] Accessed 8 Nov. 2024
9. [https://mn.gov/deed/about/who-we-are/commissioner.jsp Minnesota Dept. of Emplopyment and Economic Development, Matt Varilek.] Accessed 8 Nov. 2024
10. "Commissioner Brooke Cunningham - MN Dept. of Health".
11. "Commissioner's Office".
12. "commissioner".
13. (February 3, 2025). "Governor Walz Appoints Shireen Gandhi as Temporary Commissioner for the Department of Human Services".
14. [https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/index.jsp?id=1055-584395 Governor Walz Congratulates Departing Commissioner Jim Schowalter, Selects Deputy Commissioner Erin Campbell to Serve as Commissioner of Management and Budget ], July 12, 2023 press release
15. [https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-513685 Governor Walz Appoints Johnny Villarreal to be Commissioner of the Bureau of Mediation Services], Dec. 20, 2021 press release. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024
16. [https://metc1new.metctest.state.mn.us/News-Events/Council-News/Newsletters/Charlie-Zelle-named-Met-Council-Chair-Dec-2019.aspx Charlie Zelle named Metropolitan Council Chair]. 23 Dec. 2019 press release. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024
17. [https://www.hometownsource.com/county_news_review/free/cambridge-native-named-new-leader-of-the-minnesota-national-guard/article_ac376bb6-dccc-11ea-b745-63f9b00eed8d.html Cambridge native named new leader of the Minnesota National Guard], 12 Aug. 2020. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
18. [https://www.pca.state.mn.us/about-mpca/commissioners-office Minnesota Pollution Control agency — Katrina Kessler, Commissioner.] Accessed 8 Nov. 2024
19. Alex Chhith, [https://www.startribune.com/gov-tim-walz-appoints-nancy-daubenberger-new-mndot-commissioner/600175881 Gov. Tim Walz appoints Nancy Daubenberger new MnDOT commissioner ], 23 May 2022, ''[[Minnesota Star Tribune]]'', accessed 8 Nov. 2024
20. [https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=591720 Governor Walz Thanks Retiring Commissioner Herke, Opens Selection Process for Cabinet Vacancy], 12 Sept. 2023 press release. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024
21. "Constitution of the State of Minnesota: Article V". Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
22. "Constitutional Offices and Duties, Chapter 4: 4.06". Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
23. [https://www.mngovernorsopener.com/ 2023 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener May 12-13, 2023] Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, viewed June 21, 2023
24. Marshall, Brandon - [https://www.kaaltv.com/archive/mankato-to-host-2023-minnesota-governors-fishing-opener/ Mankato to host 2023 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener]. Rochester KAAL ABC 6, August 8, 2022
25. [https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/mankato-governors-fishing-opener-tim-walz/89-711fe64e-2ced-4e54-ba0b-f05446274d9b Mankato and Madison Lake hosting Governor’s 2023 Fishing Opener, without Gov. Walz]. KARE 11, May 9, 2023
26. [https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/index.html Fishing in Minnesota] Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Viewed June 21, 2023