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.
Representative Kelly Fenton (R-Woodbury) released the following statement regarding these severance payments:
“I am disappointed that the hardworking taxpayers of our state helped foot the bill for excessive severance payouts to political appointees in the Dayton Administration. Woodbury taxpayers expect state government to act responsibly and be good stewards of their money. Instead, we are seeing another example of inappropriate and frivolous spending, with severance packages worth tens of thousands of dollars going to top political officials. I call on our governor to explain his actions to the people of Minnesota because they deserve to know how their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent.”