Minnesota Names New Transportation Commissioner

ST. PAUL, MINN. – Charlie Zelle, president and CEO of the Jefferson Lines bus company, was named by Gov. Mark Dayton to lead the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Zelle succeeds former commissioner, Tom Sorel. Zelle recently participated in a task force set up by the governor to recommend ways to fund public transportation. The committee’s recommendations include increasing the gas tax and tab fees. While Dayton said he does not currently support a proposal to raise the gas tax, he is looking forward to hearing Zelle’s ideas on how to increase funding for transportation.