Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the reappointment of Laura S. Budd to the State Board of Public Defense.

Budd, of Duluth, is a retired small business owner and a community volunteer in Duluth. She has been a member of the board since 1993 and is currently board chair. Budd is reappointed to a public member position for another four-year term that expires on January 5, 2009.

The State Board of Public Defense approves and recommends a budget to the Legislature, and establishes procedures for distribution of state funding for the board, the Office of the State Public Defender, the judicial district public defenders and the public defense corporations. The board also appoints the state public defender and the chief public defenders of the state's ten judicial districts. The board consists of seven members, including four attorneys appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court and three public members appointed by the Governor.