ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The top Democrat in the Minnesota Senate is insisting on a public hearing before he’ll sign off on a $46,000 legal bill stemming from the firing of a high-ranking staff member.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk said he requested that Republicans convene the Senate Rules and Administration Committee to discuss the process for handling legal expenses.

A bill arrived last week for the first few months of work by a private attorney defending the Senate against legal actions by Michael Brodkorb. He was fired after his extramarital affair with then-GOP Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch came to light.

Because the bill came in below $50,000, a hearing wasn’t required. But signatures from top senators are needed to authorize payment.

Senate Republican officials didn’t immediately respond to Bakk’s hearing request.

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