Dayton picks Schowalter as budget chief

Governor-elect Mark Dayton has turned to a current state finance official to become his chief budget advisor.

Dayton announced today his selection of Jim Schowalter as commissioner for the Minnesota Management and Budget department. Schowalter served as deputy commissioner and state budget director under Governor Tim Pawlenty's administration and former commissioner Tom Hanson.

The appointment is one of Dayton's most important as he takes office facing a projected $6.2 billion state budget deficit.

Schowalter will lead a state agency that manages the finance and human resources functions of state government. MMB has about 315 employees.

Dayton has now filled five of about two dozen cabinet posts. He takes office Monday. Here's the news release:

St. Paul-Today Governor-elect Mark Dayton named Jim Schowalter as Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB), a crucial appointment as the new Administration begins to prepare a budget and tackles the multi-billion dollar deficit forecast for the next biennium.

Schowalter, who currently serves as Deputy Commissioner of MMB, brings a wealth of government and financial experience to the position. He has earned a reputation as a respected, non-partisan voice on budget issues.

"Of all the applicants for this position, Jim Schowalter has unparalleled knowledge of the State Budget and the Department of Management and Budget," said Governor-elect Dayton. "At this time of serious budget crisis, I consider continuity and credibility in that position to be of paramount importance for the people of Minnesota, for the legislature, and for myself."

"Nothing should be less partisan than our state's financial and personnel management," said Schowalter. "Governor-elect Dayton and I share this belief, and I look forward to working with Governor-elect Dayton to deliver on the promise of more effective government operations and transparent budgeting. The information used to craft next biennium's budget should be above reproach."

Schowalter is a longtime public official who has served the people of Minnesota in many capacities. Since becoming Deputy Commissioner at Minnesota Management and Budget earlier this year, he has coordinated the agency's financial, debt management, human resources, and labor activities. He has and will continue to lead on statewide cash management and federal stimulus reporting.

Previously, Schowalter served as Assistant Commissioner and State Budget Director. After assuming this position in 2004, he led the budget process for the State of Minnesota. He served on the Board of the National Association of State Budget Officers and frequently testifies before the state Legislature. He has also served as Executive Budget Coordinator for Health and Human Services and Local Government, as well as Executive Budget Officer.

Before coming to Minnesota, Schowalter worked as Regional Economist at the Boston regional office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and as Budget Officer at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Schowalter received his Master's degree in public policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and his Bachelor's degree with a major in economics from Macalester College. Schowalter originally hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

He currently lives in St. Paul with his wife, Stephanie Andrews, and their two children ages 5 and 7.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.