Daudt urges Dayton to ditch auditor fight
With Tim Pugmire
House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, urged DFL Gov. Mark Dayton Monday to call a special session soon, despite their ongoing standoff over the responsibilities of the state auditor.
Daudt sent a letter to Dayton saying their disagreement over a new law allowing counties to bypass the auditor and hire private accountants should not hold up action on three budget bills. He said Dayton’s demand that lawmakers repeal the law during the special session is causing uncertainty for state workers, farmers and others who are waiting for those budget bills.
“It’s not right for the governor to hold up special session for a provision because he’s having second thoughts or changing his mind on a provision that was included in a different bill that he actually signed as it relates to the state auditor’s office,” Daudt said. “There is no urgency on that issue whatsoever.”
Last week Dayton offered a compromise asking to delay the enactment of the law until 2017, but that was rejected by House Republicans. Dayton said he didn't veto the state government finance bill because he wanted to prevent an additional 7,400 workers from being laid off if a state government shutdown occurs on July 1.
The state sent layoff notices to 9,400 workers last week. Those workers will be idled if Dayton and legislative leaders fail to reach a budget agreement by July 1.
Here's Daudt's letter to Dayton asking for a meeting:
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