Chapter Four State Executive Offices Governor .........................................................................................................282 Lieutenant Governor .......................................................................................283 Attorney General ............................................................................................284 State Auditor ...................................................................................................285 Secretary of State ............................................................................................286 Executive Councils and Boards .......................................................................288 Executive Officers Since Statehood ................................................................289 Voting Rights Act of 1965 - 50th Anniversary Civil rights activist Reverend James J. Reeb was killed during the civil rights marches in Selma, Alabama. He died on March 11, 1965. Rev. Reeb was a graduate of St. Olaf College in Minnesota. Following his death, St. Olaf announced a lecture series in his honor, as reported by the St. Paul Dispatch on March 16, 1965. St. Olaf ’s Announces Reeb Lecture Series Dispatch News Service NORTHFIELD—The president of St. Olaf college today announced the establishment of the James J. Reeb Memorial lecture series in honor of the clergyman killed in the cause of civil rights in Selma last week. President Sidney Rand made the announcement at a memorial service at 9 a.m. today in the college chapel. The Rev. Mr. Reeb was a graduate of St. Olaf in the class of 1950. “Human relations, the deepest concern of James Reeb, who gave his career and his life to bridging the gap between the races, will be the focus of the series,” Dr. Rand told the students who packed the chapel. Prof. Lloyd Hustvedt, professor of Norwegian at St. Olaf, who as a student was head counselor of the freshmen men’s dormitory the year Reeb was a counselor there delivered his eulogy. Presiding was the Rev. Clifford Swanson, college pastor. The Rev. Mr. Reeb was a St. Olaf student from 1947 to 1950 and many persons at the college now were acquainted with him. In addition to students, there were members of his class at the service today. Dr. Rand said the funds for the annual lecture series in memory of Reeb will come from students, graduates of St. Olaf, friends and persons interested in the cause for which he gave his life. The Rev. Reeb died Thursday in Selma after having been attacked by white men on a street of the Alabama town where he had gone to support the Negro voter registration struggle. 281 Executive Offices OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR Mark Dayton (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) Elected: 2010, 2014 Term: Four years Term expires: January 2019 Statutory Salary 2015: $123,912 2016: $127,629 St. Paul. Blake School, Hopkins; BA, cum laude, Yale University (1969); Teacher, New York City Public Schools; Legislative Assistant, Senator Walter Mondale; Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Economic Development; Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Energy and Economic Development; State Auditor (1991–95); U.S. Senator (2001–07). Member, Executive Committee, National Governors Association. Chair, Midwestern Governors Association (2013–present). 130 State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul 55155 Phone: (651) 201-3400 Toll-free: (800) 657-3717 TTY: (800) 627-3529 Fax: (651) 296-2089 Website: www.governor.state.mn.us Email: Use online form at: http://mn.gov/governor/contact-us/form/ Minnesota Constitution provides: To qualify as governor, a person must be 25 years old, reside in the state one year, be a citizen of the United States and elected by the people (Article V). The primary duties of the governor are to oversee all operations of state government and to take the lead in shaping public policy through legislative proposals and agency initiatives. The operation of government is carried out through more than 23 major departments whose heads are appointed by the governor. These department heads, along with the lieutenant governor and chief of staff, make up the governor’s cabinet. The departments of revenue, and management and budget are the governor’s chief advisors on financial matters; the departments of employment and economic development, labor and industry, and commerce advise the governor regarding economic development, the business climate, and business regulation; the departments of health, human services, education, and corrections advise the governor on various social policies; and the departments of pollution control and natural resources carry out the governor’s environmental policies. The governor appoints people to state boards and commissions and appoints judges for all state courts when vacancies occur. He chairs the State Executive Council, Land Exchange Board, and Board of Investment. As commander-in-chief of state military forces, the governor can activate the National Guard for emergency duty. The governor reviews all bills passed by the legislature and has the power to veto those he disapproves. On occasion, the governor may appear before the Legislature. Because of the separation of powers required by the Minnesota Constitution, a governor may enter a legislative chamber only with the permission of the Legislature. Only the governor has the power to call a special session of the Legislature. 282 Executive Offices OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR Tina Smith (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) Elected: 2014 Term: Four years Term expires: January 2019 Statutory Salary 2015: $80,543 2016: $82,959 Minneapolis. BA, Political Science, Stanford University; MBA, Dartmouth College; General Mills; Political Consultant; Vice President, Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota; Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor of Minneapolis; Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor of Minnesota (2010–2014). 130 State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul 55155 Phone: (651) 201-3400 Toll-free: (800) 657-3717 TTY: (800) 627-3529 Email: Use online form at: http://mn.gov/governor/contact-us/form/ Minnesota Constitution provides: To qualify as lieutenant governor a person must be 25 years old, reside in the state one year, be a citizen of the United States, and elected by the people jointly with the governor by a single vote applyintg to both offices (Article V). The lieutenant governor assists the governor in carrying out the functions of the executive branch, as well as serving in the governor’s place in the event of his absence or disability. The governor, as prescribed by law, may file a written order with the secretary of state to delegate to the lieutenant governor any powers, duties, responsibilities, or functions performed by the governor. Other official duties include serving as a member of the State Executive Council, chairing the Capitol Area Architectural Planning Board, and chairing the Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security. The lieutenant governor is a key member of the governor’s cabinet and is involved in major policy and budget decisions. The lieutenant governor leads several state initiatives including Own Your Future, Senior One Stop Shop, and Nutritious Food Coalition. The lieutenant governor also serves as honorary co-chair of the Minnesota Alliance with Youth, ACT on Alzheimer's, and the state Combined Charities campaign. 283 Executive Offices OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL Lori Swanson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) Elected: 2006, 2010, 2014 Term: Four years Term expires: January 2019 Statutory Salary 2015: $117,716 2016: $121,248 Eagan. BA, Political Science/Journalism, University of Wisconsin; JD, magna cum laude, William Mitchell College of Law; Attorney, private practice; Deputy Attorney General, Solicitor General of Minnesota. 102 State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. St. Paul 55155 Phone: (651) 296-6196 TTY: (800) 366-4812 Website: www.ag.state.mn.us Email: [email protected] Minnesota Constitution provides: The attorney general is an officer in the executive department. To qualify as attorney general, a person must be a qualified voter, 21 years old and elected by the people (Articles V, VII). The attorney general is the chief legal officer for the state. The attorney general’s duties arise from the Minnesota Constitution, state statutes, and common law. Every board, commission, and agency of the state receives its legal counsel and representation from the attorney general. The attorney general is also permitted to act in a parens patriae capacity on behalf of the people. (“Parens patriae” means “parent of the country”a doc- trine that grants the inherent power and authority of the state to protect persons who are legally unable to act on their own behalf.) The attorney general has authority to initiate legal actions for the enforcement of the civil laws of the state, the preservation of order, and the protection of public rights. The attorney general provides assistance to county attorneys in the criminal justice area. As a statewide elected official, the attorney general advocates for a wide range of policy initiatives and legal reforms to protect Minnesotans and enhance their quality of life. The attorney general is a member of the State Executive Council, Board of Investment and Land Exchange Board. 284 Executive Offices OFFICE OF THE STATE AUDITOR Rebecca Otto (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) Elected: 2006, 2010, 2014 Term: Four years Term expires: January 2019 Statutory Salary 2015: $105,326 2016: $108,485 Marine on St. Croix.