Dayton rejects Planned Parenthood investigation

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton rejected Tuesday a proposed investigation of Planned Parenthood's Minnesota clinics, and he accused the Republican lawmakers who requested it of "grandstanding."

GOP state House and Senate members asked Dayton in a letter this week to order the investigation. They want to know if Planned Parenthood is illegally selling organs from aborted fetuses in Minnesota. An anti-abortion group used a secretly-recorded video to make the allegation about the national organization.

Dayton told reporters that he's convinced Planned Parenthood officials in the state are not doing anything wrong.

"As far as I'm concerned there's no basis for an investigation at taxpayer expense into a private nonprofit organization that has stated they don't engage in those practices here in Minnesota," Dayton said.

Republican Senate Minority Leader David Hann said Dayton shouldn't jump to conclusions about what Planned Parenthood is or is not doing. Hann said he believes an investigation is warranted.

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