Dayton says Hann is blocking funding for health care
Gov. Dayton says one Republican member of the Minnesota Senate is putting the lives of sick children and the elderly in jeopardy by putting a hold on federal funds directed to the state of Minnesota.
Dayton says Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie, requested a review of $25 million in federal health care grants - essentially putting a hold on the funds. Dayton said Hann's action may be unconstitutional.
"That any single legislator could arbitrarily and unilaterally block money that comes from the federal government through a competitive grant process, a lawful process, and be used for the benefit for Minnesotans all over the state," Dayton said. "To have all of that blocked by one member of the Legislature is to me just undemocratic."
Dayton says his administration will try to convince Legislative leaders to approve the funding. If they don't approve, the administration can request a hearing from the Legislative Advisory Commission and can eventually get the money. Dayton says his concern is that the federal government could choose to give the money to another state in the meantime.
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Hann is holding a 1 p.m. news conference to react to Dayton's assertion.
Hann is defending his decision to raise questions about federal health care grants given to the state. Governor Dayton today criticized Hann for playing politics with money that will help the sick and elderly. Hann, who chairs the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, said the Dayton Administration shouldn't have sole power to determine how to spend federal grants.
"My intent, as I said, was to make sure that we had a chance for the Legislature more than just me to look at this," Hann said. "I don't think I should be the guy that determines whether or not we should spend $60 million or not. I don't think the governor should be either. I think that's something for the public and the Legislature to do in the light of day."
Hann said state commissioners who oversee the grant money assured him that no one would be harmed if the money wasn't released immediately. He says he intends to hold a hearing on the federal funds.
In the meantime, here's his letter: