Since the news hit that Governor Dayton's cabinet members were getting pay hikes, the raises have become a political football, with freshman state representative Roz Peterson (R-Lakeville) emerging as the public point person for the Minnesota House Majority caucus.

Now the House DFL Caucus is pushing back by looking at Peterson's own record of handing out high administrative salaries--behavior that supports the Governor's position.

Don Davis at the Fargo Forum reported in Minnesota political notebook: Dayton, GOP disagree over commissioner raises:

WCCO television in the Twin Cities reported the governor told the station that his Cabinet members could get far higher salaries in the private sector, so raises are needed to keep them working for the state. “In state government, we need to keep and attract the best talented people, people who have families with children in college and the like,” Dayton said. “It’s essential to pay them closer to what they are worth.” The Republican view was a bit different. “At a time when take-home pay for families remains flat and some Minnesotans are still struggling to make ends meet, it’s outrageous that the governor would approve enormous salary increases for commissioners and political appointees already making six-figure salaries,” Rep. Roz Peterson, R-Lakeville, said.

In a report at WCCO by Pat Kessler, Dayton also noted that top talents could earn more at public college and local government:

Dayton said any member of his cabinet could earn ten times their salary in the private sector and double what they make now by working for the University of Minnesota or the City of Minneapolis. “Minnesotans need to understand we have a good government overall,” he said. “We have some exceptional people who make it a very good government.”

It seems that Roz Peterson got a side of amnesia about those local salaries for appointed public leaders when she took her oath of office for the Minnesota House of Representatives in early January.

Researchers at the Minnesota DFL House Caucus didn't forget about Peterson's votes as Lakeville School Board member on cutting middle-class teachers' position, then giving the superintendent not only a raise to $182k+, but a bonus.

The Commissioner of Education now makes $150,000, so apparently raises for administrators are only an issue when a Democrat makes them.

Here's the DFL House Caucus factcheck:

Fact check: Roz Peterson on public officials' salary hikes

Photo: Representative Roz Peterson.

If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button below:

Email subscribers can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen at gmail.com as recipient.