Dayton's PUC Chief Picks Faces Senate Rejection

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- A leading Senate Republican says she expects the full Senate to reject Gov. Mark Dayton's choice to lead the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

Senators plan to vote Monday on Ellen Anderson's appointment to lead the PUC. Sen. Julianne Ortman says Friday that Republicans believe Anderson has an "extreme record" on energy and environmental issues.

Dayton appointed Anderson last year to lead the commission that regulates Minnesota's electricity, natural gas and telephone utilities. She was previously a state senator from St. Paul for nearly two decades, where she chaired the Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee.

Dayton's office had no immediate response. Ortman says the Senate will also vote Monday on Dayton's choices to lead the departments of Transportation, Public Safety and Natural Resources and is likely to confirm all three.

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