ST. PAUL - Gov. Tim Pawlenty named a prominent Democratic lawmaker to the Public Utilities Commission on Friday. Rep. Tom Pugh of South St. Paul is an attorney and was minority leader of the House from 1999 to 2002.
Pugh said he'll resign from his House position in October and take the post in September.
The five-member commission regulates the rates and services of electric, natural gas and telephone companies. The job pays $88,448. Pugh was first elected in 1988.
Meantime, Pawlenty also named a prominent lobbyist to fill an open seat on the Metropolitan Council.
Mary Krinkie will fill a vacancy for District 10, which includes parts of Anoka and Ramsey counties.
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She is the vice president of government relations for the Minnesota Hospital Association, the wife of Republican Rep. Phil Krinkie and a former contract lobbyist and state Senate aide.
The 17-member Metropolitan Council coordinates planning and development in the seven county metropolitan area and directly operates several regional services.
