Revenue commissioner Einess stepping down

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Minnesota revenue commissioner Ward Einess is leaving office on December 3 to start his own lobbying shop. Einess also served in Gov. Tim Pawlenty‘s administration as a senior policy adviser and acting director of the Department of Employment and Economic Development.

“Ward has been a trusted advisor and highly respected advocate for our agenda since the beginning of my administration,” Pawlenty said in a statement announcing the move. “His commitment to sound tax policy and his bipartisan credibility with legislators has helped enact much-needed improvements to Minnesota’s tax system.”

Prior to joining the Pawlenty administration, Einess was director of fiscal policy for the Minnesota Business Partnership. He also worked as a legal analyst for the state Senate GOP caucus.

Einess is the second key finance official to announce his departure in recent weeks as Pawlenty prepares to leave office. Tom Hanson, the commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget, will leave his post Dec. 1.

Deputy revenue commissioner Dan Salomone will take over the top spot at the agency temporarily.