ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Legislators threw Minnesota's transportation commissioner out of office Thursday, some six months after the Minneapolis bridge collapse crystallized discontent over her leadership. State senators voted 44-22 against confirming Carol Molnau, who remains lieutenant governor.

By Bill Salisbury, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn. Feb. 11--Carol Molnau, Minnesota's transportation commissioner and lieutenant governor, has a spectacular view of the state Capitol from her corner office in the Transportation Building.

By Bill Salisbury, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn. Feb. 11--For years, a political traffic jam at the Capitol has blocked Minnesota policymakers from providing more money for congested roads and bridges and an underdeveloped bus and rail transit system.

Problems with the Interstate 35W bridge's design stretches back to when the bridge was first sketched out on paper in the 1960s, the National Transportation Safety Board said this afternoon.

By Bill Salisbury, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn. Jan. 11--AT THE CAPITOL -- Facing a projected $373 million budget deficit, Gov. Tim Pawlenty doesn't have much money to throw at new initiatives, and on Thursday, he outlined a modest agenda for the Minnesota Legislature's 2008 session.