Senate Approves Bill Retracting Commissioner Raises For Now

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A bill temporarily slicing the paychecks of more than two dozen top state administrators is on the cusp of reaching their boss, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, who made clear Thursday that he'll sign it.

The Democratic-led Senate approved the bill by a 35-29 vote after heavy Republican criticism for a special provision that gives Dayton a single day to put new raises in place. The Republican-controlled House was set to vote later Thursday.

The measure erases raises Dayton gave his agency commissioners, cutting their pay between now and June 30 to a monthly maximum of $9,959. On July 1, Dayton could reinstate the raises at the same level or another rate he chooses — up to $165,000 per commissioner, which works out to $13,750 per month. But after that one day, he'll lose his power to make unilateral pay decisions and need legislative signoff.

Dayton wouldn't reveal his intentions earlier Thursday, saying only: "Ask me on June 30th." He also kept up his defense of raises, which he said help catch the positions up to top-level local government salaries and comparable positions in the private sector.

"I realize they are not popular but they are necessary to keep good people in government, to be able to recruit good people in government," Dayton said.

Republicans hammered the deal negotiated largely between Dayton's administration and House GOP leaders, exposing a rare public break between Capitol Republicans. Until now, it was Dayton and the Senate's Democratic leader, Tom Bakk, who were at odds.

"I believe the commissioners do a good job," said Sen. Dave Osmek, R-Mound. "That doesn't mean we need to gouge the taxpayers of Minnesota."

Sen. Sean Nienow, R-Cambridge, said the next set of raises could be even bigger than the initial ones because Dayton didn't go as far as he could have in January.

"We are actually incentivizing the governor to max it all out," Nienow said.

The salary increases that the bill rolls back included bumps of more than $30,000 per year. The pay issue is attached to a measure that provides emergency funding to a few cash-strapped agencies.

The $15 million measure would 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 possible Ebola cases and partially offset the planning costs accrued by some hospitals.

The commissioner salary freeze takes hold the day after Dayton signs the bill. It also means that some deputy and assistant commissioners will earn more than their bosses because their pay isn't affected by the bill.

According to data from the Department of Minnesota Management and Budget, at least 39 deputies and assistants who got general and merit-pay increases in December will have bigger paychecks in coming months than commissioners to which they report. The highest-paid deputy commissioner makes $143,550 salary at MN.IT, the state's in-house technology agency. But 19 others earn more than $130,000.

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