Governor Storms Out of Meeting on Capitol Artwork

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A key panel overseeing Minnesota's massive Capitol restoration says several Civil War paintings should continue to be prominently displayed when the building reopens.

The Capitol Preservation Commission's vote Tuesday on six Civil War paintings previously displayed in the governor's reception room won't be the final say. That authority lies with the Minnesota Historical Society, which will take a final vote early next month.

Artwork inside the Capitol has been a source of drama since construction began in 2013. The commission previously voted to remove several paintings that opponents said depicted Native Americans inaccurately.

Gov. Mark Dayton had pushed for the Civil War paintings to be removed too. He abruptly left Tuesday's meeting soon after it began, accusing a top Republican lawmaker of hijacking the discussion for political purposes.