Final Vote Coming For Bill Altering Commissioner Raises

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The closing act neared Wednesday in an agency commissioner pay debate that has split top Minnesota Democrats and emboldened resurgent Republicans, as a bill temporarily halting Gov. Mark Dayton's cabinet raises took final shape.

A House-Senate conference committee, with the assistance of Dayton's administration, set the bill up for legislative ratification as soon as Thursday. It also provides emergency funding for a few agencies at risk of running through their cash before the budget year ends because of unforeseen circumstances. A shortfall at the St. Peter security hospital made swift passage urgent.

The bill suspends big raises — more than $30,000 in some cases — until June 30. After that, Dayton would have a single day on July 1 to reinstate the salary hikes, though some lawmakers hope he won't go as high as he did initially.

"I don't know that I would assume the governor is going to act on these raises in the same fashion," said GOP Rep. Jim Knoblach, citing public and lawmaker concern for the raises that total more than $900,000 a year.

Dayton's commissioner of Management and Budget, Myron Frans, wouldn't say what the governor might do. Dayton's office has declined to comment extensively since the framework of the deal emerged last week.

Rep. Lyndon Carlson, a Democratic veteran on the House negotiating team, said years of leaving the salaries at a standstill was partly to blame for the uproar.

"We unfortunately delay these increases and then we have sticker shock," Carlson said.

Dayton has defended the raises as making the top-level positions competitive with local leader pay and comparable private-sector posts.

But the size of the raises and the Legislature's attempt to tamp them down rattled relationships at the Capitol. Dayton and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk had a public falling out after the Democratic senator moved to suspend the raises pending further study.

Dayton lashed out at Bakk as a conniving actor he could no longer trust, while Bakk chalked it up to a mere miscommunication. The pair went nearly two weeks without speaking, a cooling off period that ended over breakfast Wednesday.

Bakk said the two had a private chat where they patted one another on the shoulder and agreed that defusing the situation was vital to advancing joint goals, such as a substantial transportation finance package.

"The governor and I just have way too much work to do to be at odds with each other this session," Bakk told reporters.

Dayton didn't make himself available to comment but spokesman Linden Zakula said "it was a congenial and constructive meeting."

The $15 million measure containing the pay language would also allow the St. Peter security hospital adjust to critical staff hires required to maintain its operating license, close an expected shortfall at the Minnesota Zoo and give the Department of Natural Resources funding to keep conservation officers at their posts. Another slice would reimburse the Department of Health for preparations it made to deal with Ebola cases and partially offset the planning costs accrued by some hospitals.

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