Former Treasurer: 'It's Wrong' To Cut Auditor's Office Duties
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - A former Minnesota State Treasurer said he supports efforts by State Auditor Rebecca Otto to push back against a new law that cuts some of the duties of her office.
Former Democratic State Treasurer Bob Mattson went to the Minnesota Supreme Court -- and won -- after the legislature cut his duties and his staff.
"You can't be the legislature and screw around with Constitutional offices and threaten them," said Mattson, who lives in Florida. "It's wrong."
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton signed a state department funding bill -- under protest-- that allows counties to hire their own private audit firms instead of using Minnesota's official auditor.
Otto strongly objects to the new law, and says she is considering "all options," including a legal fight in court.
"This is the people's office," she said. "The people of Minnesota: This is their office."
Mattson, who owns two Florida restaurants and markets an award-winning barbecue sauce, said he went to court to preserve the Treasurer's Office in 1985.
The Treasurer's Office was abolished after Mattson left office in 1986.
"Constitutional offices are a good check and balance on everybody else," he said. "The legislature should not have the kind of power that takes it away."
Mattson said he supports Otto's fight "no matter what."