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Dayton Lashes Senate GOP For Utility Chief Vote

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton is harshly criticizing Republicans in the Minnesota Senate for rejecting his choice to lead the state commission that regulates public utilities.

The Senate voted 37-29 Monday to reject Ellen Anderson as head of the Public Utilities Commission. The vote was along party lines, and the Democratic governor had sharp words for Republicans afterward.

Dayton called GOP senators "unfit to govern this state." He says they "smeared and rejected an outstanding public official" in Anderson, whom he immediately appointed as a senior advisor. Dayton even critically noted a recent scandal that saw the resignation of a Republican Senate majority leader.

The PUC regulates the state's energy and telecommunications industry, and Republican Sen. Julie Rosen says Anderson has "demonized traditional energy sources." Anderson is a former Democratic state senator.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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