Republicans critical of Dayton keeping chef, housekeeper

While Minnesota state government remains shut down for an eighth day Friday, some Republicans are criticizing DFL Gov. Mark Dayton for keeping his chef and housekeeper on the job at the governor's residence.

Republicans say the governor's chef earns $45,000 a year and his housekeeper makes $35,000. The DFL and the governor's office say Dayton is paying for his chef out of his own pocket and the housekeeper is needed to maintain the nearly 100-year-old residence.

KSTP-TV says Dayton has laid off half of his 40 staff members during the shutdown.

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Information from: KSTP-TV

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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