Environmental Advocates Picket At Governor’s Mansion

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Environmental advocates picketed outside the governor's mansion to demand a veto of some policy provisions in the budget bill.

Gov. Mark Dayton met the protesters with cookies Thursday. Dayton reportedly listened to their concerns about an environment and agriculture budget bill, and said he hasn't yet decided on a veto.

Dayton told protesters he agrees the items are offensive, but says there's a Republican-controlled House and DFL-controlled Senate and: "We're in an era where we're going to have to deal with some of these things we don't like."

Bobby King of the Land Stewardship Project said some provisions, such as eliminating the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Citizens' Board, were inserted behind closed doors.

Dayton says his goal is to make a decision by late Friday.