Minn. legislators rescind decision to fire commission director
The director of the state commission that assigns lottery money to environmental projects is no longer being fired.
Susan Thornton of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources was fired last week without notice or stated cause, according to Thornton's attorney, Vince Louwagie.
Thornton received a letter on Friday rescinding that decision, Louwagie said. He declined to provide a copy of the letter, but said it was signed by Sen. Michelle Fischbach, R-Paynesville and House Speaker Kurt Zellers.
The letter doesn't explain the legislators' actions, Louwagie said.
"Susan's been employed with the LCCMR for 22 years and she's never had a bad review as the executive director," he said. "So this was just all very bewildering."
A spokeswoman for Zellers said he can't comment on a personnel matter. Commission co-chair Nancy Gibson says citizen members are being shut out of the process.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.