spectr17
01-22-2003, 10:32 PM
Jan. 17, 2003
Merriam is new choice for DNR
BY CHRIS NISKANEN, St. Paul Pioneer Press
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty today named former state Sen. Gene Merriam, a Democrat, commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources.
Merriam's appointment is a coup for Pawlenty because the former Coon Rapids senator is widely respected at the Capitol for his honesty, attention to detail and mastery of the state's budget. He is the second DFLer among 16 cabinet members named so far by the new Republican governor.
Pawlenty took the unusual step of naming a deputy DNR commissioner. He is state Rep. Mark Holsten, R-Stillwater.The deputy commissioner often is the department's chief lobbiest at the Legislature.
Pawlenty said picked the two-man team because "it is a powerful combination for the DNR." He described both men as avid and passionate sportsmen who are highly respected by lawmakers and the DNR's "constituent groups," including hunters and anglers, timber and mining interests.
Merriam's appointment was one of the most important he will make, Pawlenty said, because "natural resources are part of our tradition, part of our heritage, part of who we are. Natural resources aren't just a hobby; they're a way of life."
Acknowledging widespread dissatisfaction with the department's previous administration, he said, "We are not sending Gene and Mark to the DNR to be caretakers." He said he expects them to make it more accountable, improve communications with outdoor interest groups and update its management.
Merriam said there's mistrust and suspicion of the department because it has failed to demonstrate that the hunting, fishing and other license fees it collects goes for their intended purposes. He pledged to "show groups the money is being spent in ways that meet their expectations."
While Merriam brings impressive credentials to the job, "he is not perfect," Pawlenty said. He revealed that Merriam once received a citation for hunting on railroad right-of-way in Iowa, an activity that is legal in Minnesota.
Until recently, Holsten was chair of the House natural resources finance committee and has broad understanding of the DNR's finances.
Merriam, 58, told the Pioneer Press on Wednesday that he wanted the top DNR job.
"The opportunity to have a positive effect on public policy where you have passion would be a difficult opportunity to pass up,'' he said. "I'd never forgive myself if I said no."
When asked whether Pawlenty would be a good governor for the environment, Merriam said, "I believe so.''
In 1996, Merriam retired from the Senate after 22 years. He's currently chief financial officer of ECM Publishers, which operates suburban and rural newspapers.
Merriam's connections with the environment, conservation and hunting and fishing communities run deep.
He chaired the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee from 1980 to 1986 and serves on the board of the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Association, a coalition of hunting, fishing and conservation groups. He's chair of the Minnesota Forest Resources Council, a consortium that advises the governor and state agencies on forestry issues.
In 1986, he co-authored legislation establishing the Minnesota Environmental Trust Fund, which uses part of the state lottery proceeds for the environment, and he chaired a coalition of groups that successfully pushed for the fund to be reauthorized in 1998.
He also serves on several boards, including the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, the Minnesota chapter of the Audubon Society, the Minnesota Parks and Trails Council and the Minnesota Zoo.
Merriam is a hunter and angler, which were among the criteria outlined by the Pawlenty administration. Pawlenty has said it's important the DNR commissioner know his constituents.
Merriam's candidancy for the top DNR job was plagued by opposition from the timber industry for his board position with the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. The MCEA sued over a $60 million expansion of Boise Cascade in International Falls because the group felt not enough studies had been made of the mill's impact on forest resources.
But Wayne Brandt, executive vice president of the Minnesota Timber Producers, said Merriam was someone his organization could work with. He added that he hoped Pawlenty would do everything he could to help the state's struggling timber industry.
Ron Nargang, former DNR deputy commissioner and now state director of The Nature Conservancy, praised Merriam's appointment because of the former breadth of understanding about natural resources issues.
Merriam will oversee an agency with 2,500 full-time employees and a biennial budget of $500 million, although the agency is expected to suffer cuts of 15 percent to 20 percent during the state's current fiscal crisis.
The Capitol was abuzz with the news Thursday. Republicans and Democrats had good things to say about Merriam.
"We called him 'Clean Gene' because he made sure we dotted every 'i' and crossed every 't' before we voted on bills, and that dragged out the sessions" said Senate Minority Leader Dick Day, R-Owatonna. "He was very sincere and honest, and pretty darned conservative for a Democrat."
Rep. Dennis Ozment, R-Rosemount, chairman of the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee, said Merriam would bring to the job a thorough grasp of all aspects of the department. He knows obscure forestry and mineral issues as well as the more popular hunting and fishing policies, Ozment said.
As for cutting the department's spending to help balance the state budget, he said, "If anybody can sharpen a pencil and go at it, it is Gene Merriam."
Merriam's mastery of the state budget earned him the chairmanship of the Senate Finance Committee, where he cut his teeth on budgets.
"He had as in-depth a knowledge of the details of the state budget as anyone I've ever seen around here, including the finance commissioners," said current Senate Finance Committee Chairman Richard Cohen, DFL-St. Paul.
While he was respected, he often irritated governors and legislative leaders by telling the unpleasant truth about state money problems. As a business executive, he also would bring strong managerial skills to the DNR, said Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, chairman of the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee. "He'd be easy to work with."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff writer Bill Salisbury also contributed to this story. Chris Niskanen can be reached at (651) 228-5524 or cniskanen@pioneerpress.com.
Merriam is new choice for DNR
BY CHRIS NISKANEN, St. Paul Pioneer Press
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty today named former state Sen. Gene Merriam, a Democrat, commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources.
Merriam's appointment is a coup for Pawlenty because the former Coon Rapids senator is widely respected at the Capitol for his honesty, attention to detail and mastery of the state's budget. He is the second DFLer among 16 cabinet members named so far by the new Republican governor.
Pawlenty took the unusual step of naming a deputy DNR commissioner. He is state Rep. Mark Holsten, R-Stillwater.The deputy commissioner often is the department's chief lobbiest at the Legislature.
Pawlenty said picked the two-man team because "it is a powerful combination for the DNR." He described both men as avid and passionate sportsmen who are highly respected by lawmakers and the DNR's "constituent groups," including hunters and anglers, timber and mining interests.
Merriam's appointment was one of the most important he will make, Pawlenty said, because "natural resources are part of our tradition, part of our heritage, part of who we are. Natural resources aren't just a hobby; they're a way of life."
Acknowledging widespread dissatisfaction with the department's previous administration, he said, "We are not sending Gene and Mark to the DNR to be caretakers." He said he expects them to make it more accountable, improve communications with outdoor interest groups and update its management.
Merriam said there's mistrust and suspicion of the department because it has failed to demonstrate that the hunting, fishing and other license fees it collects goes for their intended purposes. He pledged to "show groups the money is being spent in ways that meet their expectations."
While Merriam brings impressive credentials to the job, "he is not perfect," Pawlenty said. He revealed that Merriam once received a citation for hunting on railroad right-of-way in Iowa, an activity that is legal in Minnesota.
Until recently, Holsten was chair of the House natural resources finance committee and has broad understanding of the DNR's finances.
Merriam, 58, told the Pioneer Press on Wednesday that he wanted the top DNR job.
"The opportunity to have a positive effect on public policy where you have passion would be a difficult opportunity to pass up,'' he said. "I'd never forgive myself if I said no."
When asked whether Pawlenty would be a good governor for the environment, Merriam said, "I believe so.''
In 1996, Merriam retired from the Senate after 22 years. He's currently chief financial officer of ECM Publishers, which operates suburban and rural newspapers.
Merriam's connections with the environment, conservation and hunting and fishing communities run deep.
He chaired the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee from 1980 to 1986 and serves on the board of the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Association, a coalition of hunting, fishing and conservation groups. He's chair of the Minnesota Forest Resources Council, a consortium that advises the governor and state agencies on forestry issues.
In 1986, he co-authored legislation establishing the Minnesota Environmental Trust Fund, which uses part of the state lottery proceeds for the environment, and he chaired a coalition of groups that successfully pushed for the fund to be reauthorized in 1998.
He also serves on several boards, including the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, the Minnesota chapter of the Audubon Society, the Minnesota Parks and Trails Council and the Minnesota Zoo.
Merriam is a hunter and angler, which were among the criteria outlined by the Pawlenty administration. Pawlenty has said it's important the DNR commissioner know his constituents.
Merriam's candidancy for the top DNR job was plagued by opposition from the timber industry for his board position with the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. The MCEA sued over a $60 million expansion of Boise Cascade in International Falls because the group felt not enough studies had been made of the mill's impact on forest resources.
But Wayne Brandt, executive vice president of the Minnesota Timber Producers, said Merriam was someone his organization could work with. He added that he hoped Pawlenty would do everything he could to help the state's struggling timber industry.
Ron Nargang, former DNR deputy commissioner and now state director of The Nature Conservancy, praised Merriam's appointment because of the former breadth of understanding about natural resources issues.
Merriam will oversee an agency with 2,500 full-time employees and a biennial budget of $500 million, although the agency is expected to suffer cuts of 15 percent to 20 percent during the state's current fiscal crisis.
The Capitol was abuzz with the news Thursday. Republicans and Democrats had good things to say about Merriam.
"We called him 'Clean Gene' because he made sure we dotted every 'i' and crossed every 't' before we voted on bills, and that dragged out the sessions" said Senate Minority Leader Dick Day, R-Owatonna. "He was very sincere and honest, and pretty darned conservative for a Democrat."
Rep. Dennis Ozment, R-Rosemount, chairman of the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee, said Merriam would bring to the job a thorough grasp of all aspects of the department. He knows obscure forestry and mineral issues as well as the more popular hunting and fishing policies, Ozment said.
As for cutting the department's spending to help balance the state budget, he said, "If anybody can sharpen a pencil and go at it, it is Gene Merriam."
Merriam's mastery of the state budget earned him the chairmanship of the Senate Finance Committee, where he cut his teeth on budgets.
"He had as in-depth a knowledge of the details of the state budget as anyone I've ever seen around here, including the finance commissioners," said current Senate Finance Committee Chairman Richard Cohen, DFL-St. Paul.
While he was respected, he often irritated governors and legislative leaders by telling the unpleasant truth about state money problems. As a business executive, he also would bring strong managerial skills to the DNR, said Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, chairman of the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee. "He'd be easy to work with."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff writer Bill Salisbury also contributed to this story. Chris Niskanen can be reached at (651) 228-5524 or cniskanen@pioneerpress.com.