Mark Dayton defends the pay raises he unilaterally gave out to key members of Minnesota’s political class some of his senior underlings:
Republicans say the raises are outrageous, especially because many commissioners were already making six-figure salaries. But Dayton said the salary hikes were necessary to attract and retain top talent to state government. He says it also puts state pay in line with other units of government.
“I want the best people, and I want them to be able to support their families,” Dayton said. “Obviously the salaries are a lot of money, but I’ve had people leave state government, my commissioners, to go over to local governments and make 50 percent more than I was able to pay them.”
I’m not sure what astounds me more; that Dayton can get away with this, or how it is he figures that local government is getting “the best people”.
As we’ve seen, lots of money doesn’t get “the best…” anything in government.
Unless it’s not “the best” results they’re talking about…
You neglected to mention that “50% more” is a walk back from “10 times as much” in the private sector, and he erroneously claimed they hadn’t received a pay raise in 10 years when in fact they’d received a 5% raise in January 2013 & 2014.
I’d say Governor Dayton has lied repeatedly, but to lie he’d first have to actually be aware of the facts.
Who left? Where’d they go? What was the before-and-after pay?
If only there were a group of people with access to politicians, and the technology to answer these questions for the public. You know, fact-checkers.
The Top Talent that brought you MNSure and Zygi’s Palace. The financial giants that stood in awe of themselves when a $2 billion tax hike resulted in a billion surplus. The brain trust that mistook Merg’s Trulbrt Superbowl deal nightmare as a template.
I see his point.
Y’all would be laying dead in the streets if Gov Prozac didn’t cough up the big bucks.
To paraphrase Gov – Shut up you peasants!
How about this? What is the difference between Gov Dayton and Governor Walker? Mark Dayton is leading a visit to the aparthied communist state of Cuba to encourage trade. Cuba is a poor country where the state owns everything. They have very limited ability to buy or sell anything from/to Minnesota or anyplace else. Why go there?
Governor Walker is leading a trade visit to England. A wealthy capitalist nation with much ability to buy and sell things with Wisconsin.
If Dayton worked in the private sector, he’d need to justify his trip. Or at very least he would be asked later on what the results were. But when you work for the government, you don’t have to show results. You can just take a junket to a repressive racist state.
Hey, you’ve got to pay good money to get people who will blow a billion taxpayer dollars on the new Crystal Cathedral for the ViQueens, or a new Death Train, no? I think it’s something about paying for the psychiatric care they’ll need for the guilt they ought to feel at wasting other peoples’ resources and lives.
So, let me get this straight. If a corporation pays big buck salaries (albeit maybe too big) to retain top talent and get vilified by the left wing, why is it OK for Dipstick Dayton to use that as a reason? Double standard much?! Sheeesh!