Dayton: House GOP Should Punish Member For Prison Comment

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton says a Republican lawmaker should be reprimanded for a House floor speech linking north Minneapolis with a state prison.

Rep. Jim Newberger elicited boos Tuesday night when he said a train connecting the predominantly black neighborhood with the St. Cloud prison would be "convenient." The Becker Republican later apologized if anyone took offense to his comment as the House debated a transportation budget bill.

Dayton says that remark was horrible. He called on House Republican leadership Wednesday to punish Newberger and to publicly disavow his comments.

The Democratic governor says Newberger's apology doesn't suffice.

A spokeswoman for House Republicans did not immediately return a request for comment.

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In:
• Prison
• North Minneapolis