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Capitol View®
Tom Scheck

Dayton defends pay hikes for his cabinet

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Gov. Mark Dayton is defending his decision to raise the pay of his commissioners and agency heads.

Last month, Dayton increased pay for 26 commissioners and department heads by a total of $802,000.

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.”

In 2013 Dayton and the Legislature agreed lift a $119,000 pay cap on commissioners. Dayton’s top commissioners will now earn an annual salary of $155,000.

Here's a list of the salary changes:

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