Dayton severance payments to three officials incur GOP wrath

Minnesota House Republicans on Tuesday criticized Gov. Mark Dayton for authorizing a total of $79,000 in severance payments to three state agency heads during his time as governor.

Receiving the payments were: former Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Mark Phillips, who got $27,097 upon leaving the post in November 2012. His successor Katie Clark Sieben, who left the job in April of this year, got $33,750. Sheila Wright, who departed as director of the Office of Higher Education in September 2011 after just eight months on the job, got $18,064.

“Once again, Gov. Dayton has disrespected taxpayers and used their money to inappropriately reward his top officials who are already making six-figure salaries,” House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, said in a statement.

http://www.startribune.com/dayton-severance-payments-to-three-officials-incur-gop-wrath/394148251/