With the election only six weeks away, politics is clearly a driving force in the debate about Gov. Mark Dayton’s surprising severance payments to three high-ranking political appointees since 2011.

Politics aside, though, the governor’s decision is highly questionable simply because, as the original APM Reports coverage showed, it’s so vastly inconsistent with how he (and previous governors) have handled similar departures.

That’s why it’s troubling his response Sept. 20 to the St. Paul Pioneer Press was “I made a decision of what I though was appropriate in those three circumstances.” He also was quoted as saying “People have to decide whether they trust my judgment or not,” and when asked if the three were asked to leave, he answered: “I can’t comment legally and I wouldn’t comment morally.”

In the spirit of accountability, though, he should do more to explain what went into his decision to pay about $80,000 in combined severance to former economic development commissioners Mark Phillips and Katie Clark Sieben. He also paid severance to Shelia Wright when she left as director of the Office of Higher Education.

Not only is severance almost unprecedented for this level of appointees, but it certainly should not be awarded if poor performance is the reason for departure. Remember, these positions, while perhaps not as profitable as private-sector work, often are resume-builders and can pay off later in a career. The flip side is, yes, the political nature of the job comes with a higher risk of termination. But neither of those factors is new here.

APM Reports, which is associated with Minnesota Public Radio, provided detailed information that showed such appointees traditionally are not awarded severance upon departure. In fact, the report stated eight other commissioners who left voluntarily during Dayton’s tenure didn’t receive severance. Plus, Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Myron Frans told APM only these three of about 1,000 eligible workers were paid severance.

Also, as APM and the Pioneer Press noted, Dayton’s predecessor, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, did not do this with his appointees.

All those factors are why Dayton should more fully explain his decisions.

Short of that, the Legislature really has little choice other than to amend state laws to clarify political appointees are not entitled to severance packages.

— St. Cloud Times, Sept. 25