Gov. Mark Dayton
Governor Mark Dayton says he would veto any measure this session that would have the state house inmates at the currently-closed private prison in Appleton — but Dayton apparently left the door open to it saying, “The only way I could consider that in the future would be to buy it,… rehab and then operate it with state employees…. That’s something that I’m certainly willing to discuss in the interim but it’s not gonna happen this session unless they override my veto.” Appleton officials say re-opening the prison would bring badly-needed jobs to the area. Dayton responds jobs are paramount but they’re not the only consideration. Dayton says he must look at what’s best for Appleton, but also what’s best for Minnesota.