Top State Official Receives Big Pay Boost Despite Deal

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The chairman of the Metropolitan Council's salary has doubled even after lawmakers mothballed hefty raises for state commissioners.

Documents obtained by The Associated Press show Adam Duininck is making nearly $123,000 as the job moves to a full-time role. That's twice as much as previous Metropolitan Council leaders.

Gov. Mark Dayton's spokesman Matt Swenson says the governor has authority to make the job full time and pay Duininck as a full-time commissioner. Dayton says it should be a full-time gig.

But Republicans are crying foul. They say Duininck's raise violates a deal from earlier this year that reversed major salary increases for members of Dayton's cabinet.

Top legislative leaders from both parties told the AP they believed Duininck's salary would stay at about $60,000 under legislation freezing the salary hikes.