Report shows governor rewarded top officials with unauthorized severance payments
ST. PAUL, MN—House Republicans are calling on Governor Dayton to explain unauthorized taxpayer-funded severance payments after a report emerged Tuesday that his administration awarded 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.
In the report, Governor Dayton's administration and top DFL leaders repeatedly declined to provide additional key details, and House Republicans believe taxpayers deserve answers.
"Once again, Governor Dayton has disrespected taxpayers and used their money to inappropriately reward his top officials who are already making six-figure salaries," said Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown. "Today's report highlights the importance of House Republicans' role as a check and balance on Democrats' wasteful spending."
Compensation is governed by the Managerial Plan, which is ratified by the legislature. The Managerial Plan does not authorize severance of this nature.
“Taxpayers rightfully have the expectation that their tax dollars are going toward their priorities, not severance packages for Dayton's top staff who are asked to resign. The governor’s decision to offer $80,000 in severance leaves lawmakers and taxpayers with a lot of questions. What program was cut to fund these buy outs? Why wasn’t this a budget request item from the Governor's office? What was special about these requested resignations of the Governor's staff that warranted pay outs?” asked State Government Finance Committee Chair Sarah Anderson, R-Plymouth.
Republicans plan to introduce legislation next session aimed at explicitly prohibiting the Governor from awarding severance checks to political staff to prevent any future waste of taxpayer dollars.
"Democrats have awarded bonuses to MNsure executives, pay raises to top administration officials, and now unwarranted severance checks. It's time to provide answers, stop rewarding their high-paid friends and start respecting the tax dollars of hardworking Minnesotans," concluded Daudt.
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