SAINT PAUL, MINN— On Tuesday, a report emerged that Governor Dayton approved potentially unauthorized taxpayer-funded severance payments of nearly $80,000 to state employees who voluntarily departed. The most generous severance agreement, awarded to a former Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, came on the heels of massive taxpayer-funded pay increases authorized by Governor Dayton. This commissioner was previously a top staffer on Dayton's campaign for governor in 2010.
Compensation is governed by the Managerial Plan, which is ratified by the legislature, and generally does not allow for severance of this amount for commissioners who resign voluntarily.
Representatives Dan Fabian (R-Roseau) and Deb Kiel (R-Crookston) released the following statements regarding these severance payouts:
“Folks in Northwest Minnesota expect their hard-earned tax dollars to be well-spent and not used to pay out high ranking political appointees in the governor’s administration,” said Rep. Fabian. “After forcing through double-digit pay increases for his commissioners last year, we now learn that he is offering excessive payouts on top of that through severance pay. Enough is enough, and Governor Dayton needs to explain to Minnesotans why he is using taxpayer money in this irresponsible manner.”
“Tens of thousands of dollars in severance payouts for voluntary resignations on top of six figure salaries is not what the average hardworking Minnesotan sees, so why are our tax dollars being used in this way?” Rep. Kiel stated. “This kind of political payout is disrespectful to Minnesota taxpayers, and I hope Governor Dayton will explain to citizens why their money is being used to fund such wasteful expenditures. State government can and must do better for the people it serves.”