GOP lawmaker, governor trade barbs over conflict question
DFL Gov. Mark Dayton said today there is no ethical conflict for his chief of staff to head a key regional development panel, and he described a Republican lawmaker’s claim that there is as “totally ludicrous.”
Dayton was responding to a letter he received this week from Rep. Peggy Scott, R-Andover. Scott contends the dual role of Tina Smith is "troubling and a massive ethical concern for the state."
In addition to her job in Dayton's office, Smith chairs the board of the Rochester-Mayo Destination Medical Center Corp. Dayton appointed her to the board earlier this year. The board will decide how $455 million in state money will be spent for development projects in the greater Rochester area.
Scott wants Smith to resign one of the posts. Dayton, though, dismissed the letter, calling it a tactic of Republicans who are “either bored or craving attention.”
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“It’s not about constructively working out something that someone has concern about but about getting press attention,” Dayton said. “And as long they keep getting press attention, I expect those letters will continue to be forthcoming.”
Scott took offense. She said the governor’s response was dismissive and patronizing.
“For a personal attack to take place as a result of a very seriously intended letter is not what I expect out of the governor of the state of Minnesota,” Scott said.
Scott said she plans to introduce legislation next session to set strict conduct rules for the Destination Medical Center Board.