Dayton Says He'll Fight To Preserve State Auditor Authority

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A measure giving Minnesota counties more power to hire private firms for financial reviews now conducted by the state auditor is likely to be signed into law. But Gov. Mark Dayton says he won't let it stay law for long.

Dayton said Tuesday that he is not inclined to veto a nearly $1 billion state government agency finance bill that contains the outsourcing language. But the Democratic governor said he'll insist that piece be repealed during a special session he's calling to pass a new education budget and other unfinished proposals.

Democratic State Auditor Rebecca Otto had urged Dayton to veto the bill to prevent the power shift. Her office conducts reviews of city, county and other government entity finances, but a bill would have given counties an alternative.