SAINT PAUL, MN—Rep. Roz Peterson issued the following statement regarding the passage of the deficiency bill, SF174 authored by Rep. Jim Knoblach, R-St. Cloud, which includes stopgap funding for state agencies, as well as a provision to restore legislative oversight for commissioner salaries following controversy over $800,000 in pay raises approved by Governor Dayton last month.
The bill would overturn a 2013 law passed by the DFL-controlled legislature that gave the Governor the authority to single-handedly approve commissioner pay raises. Peterson successfully amended the bill during Thursday's floor session to include the provision to restore legislative approval for executive salaries.
"The public was rightfully upset that the Governor singlehandedly decided to raise commissioner salaries by more than $800,000 without their input," Peterson said. "This bill puts salary decisions back in the hands of the legislature where the public can make their voices heard and be part of the conversation. I'm proud of the work done by the House Republican majority to make sure the hardworking taxpayers who pay these salaries are respected and included in the process."
Peterson was the chief author of HF666, legislation to reverse the Governor's authority to increase commissioner salaries and eliminate the pay increases altogether. That bill was heard in committee earlier this week.
The bill is expected to be passed by the Senate and signed by the Governor next week.
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