Capitol View: January 5, 2011 Archive

Dayton names commerce and revenue commissioners

Posted at 12:50 PM on January 5, 2011 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: Mark Dayton

Governor Mark Dayton has filled two more cabinet posts, hiring lawyers to lead the Department of Commerce and the Department of Revenue.

Dayton announced today his selection of Mike Rothman as commerce commissioner and Myron Frans as revenue commissioner. Rothman was most recently an attorney with the firm of Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., in Minneapolis. Frans has been a tax attorney for 27 years, most recently at the law firm of Faegre & Benson LLP in Minneapolis.

In a news release, Dayton said Rothman brings a distinguished record of consumer protection to the Commerce Department, and his experience dealing with the insurance industry will be an invaluable asset as commissioner.

"Mike Rothman brings a dedicated commitment to leading what has been, from many reports, a troubled agency," Dayton said. "He is charged by me with restoring a consumer response and protection ethic to the agency, and to making it again a consistent and responsible regulator of business practices."

Dayton also praised Frans, who won't be able to join the administration right away.

"I am very pleased that Myron Frans has accepted this call to public service," Dayton said. "I regret that he cannot join our Administration on a full-time basis immediately. However, I respect his need, as the CEO of a successful and growing business, to conclude those responsibilities properly. In the meantime, he will advise me on a voluntary part-time basis, and the Revenue Department will be very capably managed by former Commissioner and now Deputy Commissioner, Dan Salamone."

Dayton signs MA order as spirited crowd watches

Posted at 1:09 PM on January 5, 2011 by Tom Scheck (5 Comments)
Filed under: MN Legislature, Mark Dayton

Dayton signs MA from tommy scheck on Vimeo.

Twila Brase criticizes Dayton's action from tommy scheck on Vimeo.

Governor Mark Dayton signed an executive order today to expand the federal Medicaid program in Minnesota.

Dayton took the action as hundreds of supporters and protesters crowded into the governor's reception room. It was a tense scene as protesters shouted down Capitol Security officer for removing signs protesting Dayton's action and the federal health care law that allowed it. Dayton's order means 95,000 Minnesotans will now be eligible for Medicaid. Most of them are currently covered by other state-based programs, but 12,000 have no insurance at all.

"This is a step that benefits all of the people of our state at no net cost to the state of Minnesota according to the Department of Management and Budget."

Dayton took the unusual move of allowing critics to speak out against his action. It's rare for governors to allow protesters into the room. It's unheard of that a governor turns over his podium to them.

Twila Brase, with the Citizens Council on Health Care, said the long-term the expansion of Medicaid is too expensive.

"It really puts the state in peril when it comes to costs. There is something called tails which means once all of these people are on it will be difficult to get them off and it will be expensive to the state in the long haul."

Dayton says he wants the enrollment to start as soon as possible. Officials in the Pawlenty Administration said it would take until October until the program is in place, a timeline Governor Dayton says is unacceptable.

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