Auditor raises new question about Dayton plane use
Published 10:17 am Friday, October 16, 2015
ST. PAUL — Gov. Mark Dayton’s political campaign is reimbursing the state for $1,688 in plane travel costs after the Minnesota legislative auditor raised doubts about the nature of two trips he took in 2013.
A report released Friday scrutinized a pair of trips to union conventions and suggested they were more political than official business. Dayton was gearing up for a re-election campaign at the time. Auditors reviewed video footage of the appearances in reaching the conclusion.
As governor, Dayton is afforded state security and travel accommodations at all times. But the state is supposed to be reimbursed for activities of a political nature.
In a response, Dayton’s office disagreed that speeches to state employees at union conferences were political. But his campaign opted to repay costs to resolve questions of impropriety.