Gov.-elect Tim Walz promises everyone a 'seat at the table'

Tim Walz walked up the steps of the State Capitol for the first time as governor-elect on Thursday, a made-for-TV moment to kick off a transition process that will have him take over as Minnesota's 41st governor in just under two months.

Among his first decisions: Walz named longtime aide Chris Schmitter, an attorney with the Minneapolis law firm Greene Espel, as his chief of staff. That's typically the second-most powerful job in a governor's administration, responsible for managing the state's massive executive branch and controlling access to the governor. Walz also named Kristin Beckmann, former deputy mayor of St. Paul, to lead his transition effort. Thus began what will be a rigorous workload between now and Jan. 7, as the Democratic governor-elect works to fill key jobs, set a policy direction for the upcoming legislative session, and begin formulating a two-year budget for state government that will likely exceed $45 billion.

http://www.startribune.com/tim-walz-names-kristin-beckmann-to-head-transition-chris-schmitter-to-be-chief-of-staff/500066581/